As the JRF and the RRC continue to restructure our movement for a better future, JRF has created a timeless Legacy Tribute Book in honor of our congregations. This keepsake memento will walk our members through the years of Reconstructionist history and highlight each of our communities in story and pictures. We are looking for your help to make this once-in-a-lifetime tribute book a reality. Would you consider making a gift to the JRF to support our lasting legacy?
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You're Invited to JRF's Chesapeake Region Annual Celebration! This year's celebration will take place at Oseh Shalom in Laurel, MD on Sunday, March 4, 2011.

The theme for this year's event will be "JRF Salutes: L'dor v'dor (From Generation to Generation)"

As the JRF and the RRC (Reconstructionist Rabbinical College) continue towards restructuring the movement, JRF is celebrating the legacy of our first half-century as a congregational movement. We are creating a Legacy book to highlight JRF's communities. These books will be available in time for the Chesapeake Celebration.

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PURCHASE AN AD IN THE TRIBUTE JOURNAL
DOWNLOAD THE PRINTABLE REGISTRATION FORM  read more »

 News from Chesapeake Region of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, January 2011!   read more »

As I write this newsletter, we are hard at work preparing for the Chesapeake JRF Annual Celebration.  This year the Annual Celebration is on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at Oseh Shalom in Laurel from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.  We are excited to be honoring members of our congregations and Havurot and special members of our region.  The national theme for this year is Ohel: Together Under One Tent.  All of our honorees have contributed to creating a “Big Tent” for Judaism or securing the ohel/tent in their congregations and havurot. 

JRF is thrilled to welcome Kol HaLev as our newest and second Reconstructionist community in Baltimore, Maryland!  read more »

Pushing for Better Wages, Not Necessarily Giving Them: Conservative Leaders Support ‘Living Wage’ and Magen Tzedek, but So Far Little Change at Shul

Published October 07, 2009, issue of October 16, 2009,

“As an economist I thought it would break the bank,” Gelman said, looking back.  read more »

On September 9th I was part of a truly joyous simchah – the wedding of Richard Ruth and Jim North, two members of Kol Ami, our Northern Virginia affiliate. It was a perfect day in every sense – the weather was warm and sunny and there was enough joy and ruach (spirit) to fill the whole world.  read more »

Rabbi Leila Gal Berner conducted a beautiful wedding service, which, in the best tradition of Reconstructionism, took the “traditional” marriage service and perfectly adapted it for this sacred occasion -- Richard and Jim publicly, Jewishly affirming their love for each other and their commitment to take their two separate lives and combine them into one, new life.

As I write this, I am getting ready to attend the Shabbat Celebration at Columbia Jewish Congregation that begins this evening. We have 20+ teens and 70+ adults from all our regional congregations registered to celebrate Shabbat together, discuss, learn and strategize about Tikkun Olam, network and make new Reconstructionist connections. I would like to thank everyone who is leading services or a workshop or participating the weekend in some way.  read more »