Or Zarua, a suburban-Philadelphia community serving baby boomers, was started with funding from Reconstructing Judaism's Auerbach Entrepreneurial Grant Program.
Congregational Resources
Related Resources
Before Ritualwell was a website containing more than 2,200 liturgy and rituals crowdsourced by Jews, it was an idea of where to put dozens of scraps of paper in the drawers of offices in the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Kolot: Center for Jewish Women’s and Gender Studies in Wyncote.
In 2001, RRC and Kolot, in partnership with Ma’yan, a Jewish feminist organization, uploaded the prayers scrawled on those papers to the newfangled Internet, creating an archive of Jewish writing that filled in the gaps of liturgies and practices that historically excluded women and LGBTQ+ Jews. Community members were invited to write and submit their own liturgies and rituals.
Almost two decades later, Ritualwell has not only become a library of prayers and poetry, but an online community center for Jews looking to hone their skills through writing workshops and classes.
The last sixteen months of the pandemic have highlighted the necessity of community as something both poignant and urgent. With many of us physically removed from our “normal” sites of gathering (i.e., workplaces, schools, cultural venues, “third spaces,” places of worship), we’ve learned to cultivate relationships online, to use digital tools to create new places of meeting and connection, and to experiment with alternative and even more accessible forms of engagement. Despite the very real challenges of long-term isolation and Zoom fatigue, we’ve found new ways to experience community, to address pragmatic needs, and to fill our souls.
Rabbi Joshua Lesser (RRC '99) has had a front seat to one of the most joyful spots of our tragic time. With a group of Jewish leaders from different movements and perspectives, he helped create a Facebook group called Dreaming Up High Holy Days 2020.
When COVID-19 hit, synagogues closed their physical doors, pivoting their presence online. Responding to the tensions and conflicts arising from this challenge, Rabbi Nathan Weiner (RRC '16) offers a covenental approach guiding synagogue leaders and congregants to navigate these difficult times with integrity, understanding, and generosity of spirit.
Positive media coverage can amplify your voice, inform the public about key issues and build further credibility for your community. At the same time, a negative story can negatively impact your community’s reputation. Here are key tips for speaking with journalists.
This past month, a working group made up of staff at the Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist movements collaborated, with major support from the Secure Community Network, on putting together a “Guide to the Considerations about Re-Opening Synagogue Buildings.” The document offers synagogues some guidance and suggested methodical steps for decision-making and implementation of re-opening plans.
This document, put together by staff at the Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist movements, offers synagogues guidance on how and when to approach decisions about reopening synagogue buildings.
Tara Saltzman, director of lifelong learning at Congregation Beth Evergreen in Denver, reflects on the ups and downs her congregation has experienced on the road to becoming more environmentally friendly.
Rooted in the Jewish textual tradition and lived experience, Reconstructionist communities are aiding immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through direct service, education and advocacy.
Looking for ways your community can get involved in immigration issues, directly assist a family, or advocate for systematic change? This resource offer a number of concrete steps your community can take.
Digital resources on synagogue security and related issues, as shared with Reconstructionist communities in late April of 2019.
Synagogues are a means, not an end in themselves. But thriving synagogues contribute to Judaism's goal: to create healthy individuals, thriving communities, flourishing Jewish life, interconnected human life and a sustainable planet.
Two months after the attack at Pittsburgh congregation Dor Hadash, we revisit the community.
The Aviv Revolving Loan Fund is one way that Reconstructing Judaism is marshaling its resources to strengthen affiliated communities and foster innovation.
Why should your community affiliate with Reconstructing Judaism? This page lists the benefits of membership.
Though we count time Jewishly, by any consideration the secular year 2018 is an exciting year for the Reconstructionist movement.
Our third Reconstructing for Tomorrow conversation with Rabbi Deborah Waxman focused on unpacking the ideological and practical differences between the Reconstructionist and Reform movements.
In our second session of Reconstructing for Tomorrow, we were led in a discussion about the spiritual and tangible ways we can integrate ecological values into our Jewish lives.
In our third session with author Abigail Pogrebin, we talked about taking an "Elijah moment" at our Passover celebrations: enacting change in the world in an effective and fulfilling way.
In our followup to the 2016-17 Innovators Incubator, our new Rev Your Engines session focused on the development of a close-knit, supportive network of participants facing similar challenges in their start-up endeavors. From teen focused programming to a havurot for baby boomers, we looked into the support and development resources available to these community leaders.
In our second session with author Abigail Pogrebin, we talked about "embracing the other" in our holiday celebrations and reinterpreting the Hannukah story to embrace this idea.
In our first session with author Abigail Pogrebin, we began with a question: How can we make the holidays 'urgent' in today's busy world. We shared observations about the Judaism practiced by our Hebrew schools, families, and synagogue communities.
Important announcements from the Reconstructionist movement for Fall 2017
Archives of email newsletters (Reconstructionism Today, Journeys, and Leadership Brief)
In this classic article, Rabbi Julie Greenberg explores successful mixed-age classrooms in Jewish schools.
This article is adapted from a talk at the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation Tikkun Olam Kallah, March 2003.
Best practices in responding to congregational inquiries.
The 2021-2022 Affiliation Benefits Package for congregations
We have created a poster that congregations can use to send a clear message of inclusion and welcome.
Large version of welcoming poster for synagogues
Small version of welcoming poster for synagogues
This membership form lets congregations and havurot apply for membership in Reconstructing Judaism.
The plenum of the Reconstructionist movement is group of representatives from each affiliated congregation and havurah who discuss and share the issues of the day, both internal movement discussions and thoughts on the movement’s relationship to the world.
Established through the generosity of anonymous donors to promote fresh, energizing initiatives, the Aviv Revolving Loan Fund supports growth and vitality in the Reconstructionist movement.
Frequently asked questions about the structure, goals, and workings of the Plenum of the Reconstructionist movement
In this webinar, we discuss “newsworthy” stories and how you can actively pitch an interesting story about your congregation to the media.
This three-part family education series addresses issues related to bar/bat mitzvah. It is designed for a large group of parents and students and uses active learning exercises. It covers issues around Jewish identity, the meaning of bar/bat mitzvah, and common concerns that parents and students have about the process.
