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- Article: Is Reconstructionist Judaism For You?
By JRF
An introduction to the philosophy, theology, values, practice and organization of the Reconstructionist Movement.
- Article: Judaism and Justice
By Rabbi Sid Schwarz
This is a reprint from a Fall, 2003 article published in The Reconstructionist. The article emphasizes the important connection between Judaism and justice and argues that making those connections for our communities will draw Jews to Judaism.
- Article: Perhaps You Belong In A Reconstructionist Community
By JRF
An overview of Reconstructionist philosophy and community life, plus testimonials from members of Reconstructionist congregations.
- Article: The World as Sacred Space: Judaic Teachings and Ecological Consciousness
By Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb
Rabbi Fred Dobb lays out the Jewish case for environmental awareness and action. Providing sources and viewpoints from classic Jewish sources classical and modern, Dobb wants us to see contemporary concerns in the context of Jewish concerns over time. He also raises questions about views within Judaism which may be counter to his case.
- Article: Who Is A Reconstructionist Jew?
By JRF
A detailed description of the ideology, philosophy and practice of Reconstructionist Jews and their relation to the larger Jewish community, past, present and future.
- Audio Interview: GOD - Through A Reconstructionist Lens
By Rabbi Richard Hirsh, Rabbi Shawn Zevit
In this episode of Heart, Mind and Spirit, the first regularly scheduled Reconstructionist radio show in the history of the movement, Rabbi Richard Hirsh offers an in depth look at Reconstructionist theology, Kaplanian views of GOD and current view of how the Divine "Power that makes for Salvation" is expressed in our lives and communities.
- Audio Interview: Introduction To Reconstructionism, Part 1
By Rabbi Mordechai Liebling, Rabbi Shawn Zevit
Part one of a two-part conversation with Rabbi Mordechai Liebling about the development, philosophy, theology and practices that have emerged from Reconstructionist Judaism. An episode of Heart, Mind and Spirit, the first regularly scheduled Reconstructionist radio show in the history of the movement.
- Audio Interview: Introduction To Reconstructionism, Part 2
By Rabbi Mordechai Liebling, Rabbi Shawn Zevit
Part two of a two-part conversation with Rabbi Mordechai Liebling about the development, philosophy, theology and practices that have emerged from Reconstructionist Judaism. An episode of Heart, Mind and Spirit, the first regularly scheduled Reconstructionist radio show in the history of the movement.
- Audio Interview: Kaplan
By Rabbi Ira Eisenstein, Mel Scult, Rabbi Shawn Zevit
This episode of Heart, Mind and Spirit, the first regularly scheduled Reconstructionist radio show in the history of the movement gives a fascinating look at the life, times and teachings of Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan, ideological founder of Reconstructionist Judaism. This program also looks at the early stages of the movement with one of its founders, Rabbi Ira Eisenstein, and documenter Mel Scult.
- Audio Interview: Passover: The Holiday
By Rabbi Jacob Staub, Rabbi Shawn Zevit
Rabbis Jacob Staub and Shawn Zevit discuss the basis for the holiday of Passover, how it developed over the centuries to become the most celebrated Jewish festival today, the major themes that the exodus and Passover convey to us from a Reconstructionist perspective. An episode of Heart, Mind and Spirit, the first regularly scheduled Reconstructionist radio show in the history of the movement.
- Audio Interview: Social Action (Tikkun Olam)
By Rabbi Brian Walt, Rabbi Shawn Zevit
Social justice and the sense of a mission to aid in the Godly renewal and repair of the world has always been a part of the Jewish people's response to the world around us. Rabbi Brian Walt discusses what Tikkun Olam is from a Jewish perspective and how Reconstructionist philosophy and communal life reflects these values. An episode of Heart, Mind and Spirit, the first regularly scheduled Reconstructionist radio show in the history of the movement.
- Bibliography: References for a Values-Based Decision Making Approach to Greening Synagogues
By Roni Handler, Derek Rosenbaum
A collection of resources that help groups engaging in a values-based decision making approach to greening congregational spaces. The list is divided into print and online materials.
- Commentary: Excerpts from Fighting the War and the Peace: Battlefield Ethics, Peace Talks, Treaties, and Pacifism in the Jewish Tradition
By Michael J Broyde
A halahic discussion of the ethics of starting wars, conduct during wars and who is responsible for acts of violence.
- Dvar Torah: Abraham's Second Life
By Rabbi Lewis Eron
Noticing that the Torah is pretty much finished with Abraham thirty-five years before he dies, this dvar-Torah goes on to discuss the kinds of blessings that a "second life" can bring us.
- Dvar Torah: Comparing Conservative and Reconstructionist Approaches in Dealing with Leviticus' Prohibition on Male-Male Sex
By Syd Nestel
In this dvar-Torah Syd Nestel makes in depth comparison of Reconstructionist and Conservative approaches to the prohibitions against homosexuality written in Leviticus 18 and 20.
- Dvar Torah: Examining Justifications for the State of Israel
By Syd Nestel
In this dvar-Torah for Parashat Shoftim, Syd Nestel using Deuteronomy's description of an idealized Israelite society as a jumping point for examing modern justifications for the State of Israel.
- Dvar Torah: Family at the Root of Passover Commandments
By Aaron Seidman
How can we explain why some people observe Passover so strictly even when they don't observe much else? Aaron Seidman argues that it is the home-based family nature of the holiday that creates the commandment that people are more willing to follow.
- Dvar Torah: Let's Not Follow Noah's Example: A Call To Action
By Rabbi Laurie Zimmerman
Written for Kol Nidre, this sermon contrasts the human bravery with the human wrongdoing that both ocurred in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Basing her critique of Noah on a retelling found in the Zohar which lambasts Noah for his selfishness, Zimmerman challenges us to overcome our overwhem, our guilt, our sense of powerless and our fear to rise up and reach out to bring justice into our world.
- Dvar Torah: Living the Good Life
By Ellen Dannin
Ellen Dannin looks for answers about the meaning of life and its toughest questions and instead finds complexity in Parashat Ekev.
- Dvar Torah: Online Interactive Study for Parashat Yitro
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin
Online lesson takes viewer through various aspects of Exodus Chapter 18 and asks the viewer for opinions and ideas. The viewer can view other people's responses at the end.
- Dvar Torah: Our Akeidah, Our Binding
By Ellen Dannin
Impressionistic, first person, emotional response to the Binding of Isaac story. This portion is read as part of the annual Torah reading cycle but it was also picked out, at least since rabbinic times, to be read on Rosh Hashanah, the New Year Festival.
- Dvar Torah: Redeeming God's Wrath - A Poem
By James Greene
Poem written from the perspective of a Jewish woman about to be liberated from slavery in Egypt. She is struggling with her conflicting emotions of joy at her impending freedom and sadness with the loss surrounding her.
- Dvar Torah: Tamar the Hidden
By Ellen Dannin
Dannin eloquently summarizes the story of Judah and Tamar and argues for the a reading which sees the strength and importance of Tamar's character.
- Dvar Torah: The Tension Between Law and Redemption on Passover
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin
Rabbi Gluskin argues that the tension between law and rebellion, between status quo and the desire to bring redemption now, is played out richly and artfully in the liturgy of the Passover Seder. Specific references to the text are explained in this light.
- Dvar Torah: The United States of Hanukah
By Rabbi Steve Segar
In a 2002 RT article, Rabbi Steve Segar notes, "The Hanukah story contains thematic elements that create cognitive dissonance or even undermine the cultural messages that our communities are attempting to cultivate through the observance of this holiday." Many American Jews might relate to the Helenizing forces more than the Maccabean tendency to root them out. Resonant within the story for many Reconstructionists and others is the struggle to live in multiple "civilizations" simultaneously with integrity.
- Essay: The Halakhic Basis For Community Financing Of Jewish Life
By Cliff Cohen
A perspective on taxes and community responsibility throughout Jewish history that sheds light on today's congregational practices of collecting dues.
- FAQ: "How Can I Support Israel When I Don't Like The Way Israel Has Treated The Palestinians?"
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin, Rabbi Moti Rieber, Rabbi Jeffrey Schein
Answers this common question by explaining the importance of continuing to love someone (or something) who sometimes does things we don't like. Can also apply to issues of religious pluralism or other areas where we are disappointed with what happens in Israel.
- FAQ: FAQ's on Reconstructionist Approaches to Jewish ideas and Practices
By JRF
Series of questions and answers giving Reconstructionist approaches to Jewish ideas and practices.
- FAQ: What Is The Reconstructionist Attitude Toward Israel?
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin, Rabbi Moti Rieber, Rabbi Jeffrey Schein
A description of the Reconstructionist perspective on Israel, from the Reconstructionist Education's Frequently Asked Questions.
- Lesson Plan: Where Was God? - Learning About Natural Disasters From Parashat Noah
By Nicole Wilson-Spiro
Lesson plan for children ages 8-12. During disasters and their aftermaths, many people wonder about God’s role in their suffering. This lesson seeks to explore God’s role in tragedy from Jewish Reconstructionist perspectives.
- Other: Pirke Avot Chapter One - A Translation
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin
Contemporary translation of the first chapter of Pirke Avot.
- RT Article: Being a Politically Conservative Reconstructionist
By Michael Spiro
It's not an oxymoron
- RT Article: Kaplan and the Meaning of Ritual
By Chuck Konigsberg
As a young man, reading Mordecai Kaplan helped Chuck Konigsberg to reconcile his mind and his heart when it came to Jewish ritual. Konigsberg's article is an answer to those who feel that belief and observance are at odds.
- RT Article: The Value and Meaning of Denominational Judaism
By Dr. Carl A Sheingold
Reacting to the brief essays on the personal meaning of spirituality in the same issue of RT, Carl Sheingold meditates on the implication and role of denominational movements in contemporary Jewish life.
- Speech: Eulogy for Rabbi Ira Eisenstein z"l
By Rabbi Richard Hirsh
Eulogy delivered by Rabbi Richard Hirsh at the funeral of Rabbi Ira Eisenstein On July 1, 2001.
- Speech: Peoplehood Reconsidered
By Rabbi Toba Spitzer
Rabbi Spitzer offers an appraisal of Mordecai Kaplan's concept of "Jewish peoplehood" and argues for its reconstruction based on a commitment to covenantal community. Both text and audio versions available.
- Speech: Powerful Meaning in Not Knowing the Answers
By Rabbi Michael Strassfeld
In this speech Strassfeld addresses many issues relating to a Reconstructionist approach to spirituality. He tells his own journey which goes from rejecting Hasidic texts to embracing them. He lauds a Reconstructionist "anti-fundamentalist" approach which asks its its adherants to embrace life's unknown and not need or desire singular answers. The text and audio of this speech are both available.
- Speech: Re-Digging the Wells of Our Tradition
By Rabbi Les Bronstein
Starting with the verse from Genesis 26:18 about Isaac needing to "re-dig" the wells upon his return, Rabbi Bronstein makes a case for a version of Reconstructionism which is engaging and serious. The speech is available in text and audio formats.
- Speech: What Would Kaplan Think?
By Rabbi Richard Hirsh
Rabbi Hirsh reviews arguments over whether Reconstructionism is about process or content. He wonders what Kaplan might think as Reconstructionism continually remakes itself even as interest in Kaplan is greater than ever. Richard Hirsh's contribution. Text and audio versions of the talk are available.
- Speech: Why Reconstructionism Needs Theology
By Rabbi Nancy Fuchs Kreimer
Speech from the 2006 Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association Convention held in Deerfield Beech, Florida.
- Text Compilation: Climate Change - Musar and Text
By Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb
"MUSSAR as a Jewish Resource on Climate Change, and All Else" and "Jewish Texts as Resources on Global Climate Change"
- Text Compilation: Kaplan On Zionism And Other Key Texts
By Rabbi Elyse Wechterman
Brief examples from the Zionist writings of: Theodore Herzl, A.D. Gordon, David Ben-Gurion, Mordecai Kaplan, and Jack Cohen.
- Text Compilation: Sustainability Sources from Jewish Tradition
By Derek Rosenbaum, Rabbi Shawn Zevit
For 2007/5767 JRF has launched its third Omer text-study initiative. This year the theme is sustainability. To support folk in developing teachings to offer for the text study, JRF has compiled texts from Jewish tradition (including contemporary and Reconstructionist texts).
- Text Study: How Should We Respond To Human Need?
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin, Rabbi Toba Spitzer
Psalm 41:2: Happy are those who give to the needy. The Hebrew verb for the word give, maskil, has multiple meanings. This ambiguity of meaning provides an opportunity for one of the rabbinic sages, Rabbi Jonah to think differently about taking care of the needy. Three differing versions of Jonah's "think different" approach are presented in this text study.
- Spirituality
- Tikkun Olam
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