On the Passing of Amos Oz

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association mourn the passing of Amos Oz, z’l, who has died of cancer at age 79. Oz was born in Jerusalem in 1939, and he spent many of his formative years at Kibbutz Hulda in central Israel, where he lived until 1986. The author of 40 books and countless articles and essays, Oz was, in the words of Israel’s President, Reuven Rivlin, “… a literary titan. Splendor of our creators. A humanities giant.” His writing has been translated into 45 languages, and the list of literary prizes he won is incredibly long.

https://archive.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/passing-amos-oz

Posted on: 2018/12/28 - 3:25pm

Affiliation Benefits

Your dues to Reconstructing Judaism help:

Nurture communities that are inclusive, participatory, and dynamic
Run Camp Havaya
Print prayer books
Educate Jewish leaders

Renew Jewish thought and philosophy at large
Expand the presence of progressive Jewish communities throughout North America and the world
Represent Reconstructing Judaism in larger Jewish settings

https://archive.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/affiliation-benefits

Posted on: 2018/05/01 - 12:16pm

The Founding of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

This piece was originally commissioned by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, which published a version of it in the Summer 2018 edition of Connection, the association’s newsletter. Part II of this history will appear later this academic year in Reconstructing Judaism Today.

For more on RRC’s 50th anniversary, visit our 50th Anniversary Showcase at https://www.rrc.edu/50th.

https://archive.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/founding-reconstructionist-rabbinical-college

Posted on: 2018/08/29 - 2:50pm

A Jewish Approach to Obligatory Giving

(Reprinted from Congregations Magazine, The Alban Institute, Nov/Dec 2001. This piece was written by Bob Leventhal and Rabbi Shawn Zevit)

The rabbi squirms in his seat when a leader suggests that he engage in fundraising. Perennially vocal board members grow silent when it is time to follow up with congregants about their financial obligations. The topic of money makes us uncomfortable. But no organized religion has ever been without a need for resources or an expectation of offerings, dues, or taxes to support its institutions.

https://archive.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/jewish-approach-obligatory-giving

Posted on: 2001/11/01 - 12:00am

Dialogue Episode 2 Transcript

This is a transcript of the Dialogue Podcast, Episode 2: Acting Sustainably, an interview with Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb.

[music]

https://archive.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/transcript-dialogue-podcast-episode-2

Posted on: 2016/05/04 - 1:49pm

Sometimes You Have to Close Your Eyes and Leap

As a child I was never much of a risk taker. I was so afraid of the water that I didn’t even learn to swim until I was nearly a teenager. I was also definitely an introvert as a child: while I did have a few good friends, I was never really comfortable with most group activities. Other than music and a passion to learn drums and percussion, my favorite pastimes were either reading by myself (I still follow my regimen of reading at least 50 books every year), or hanging out at my synagogue, where I always felt comfortable, at home, and safe.

https://archive.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/sometimes-you-have-close-your-eyes-and-leap

Posted on: 2016/05/05 - 11:30am

Our Partners for Justice

We continue to maintain other tikkun olam alliances, and the Commission evaluates new possibilities on an ongoing basis. Currently we are partners with the following groups:

https://archive.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/our-partners-justice

Posted on: 2016/04/20 - 2:33pm