Welcome to Virtual Bet Midrash, Jewish distance learning from the Reconstructionist movement. This program is designed to provide meaningful learning for congregational members, leadership, clergy, educators and staff. Subject matter experts present on conference calls, and impart wisdom designed to help strengthen congregations and havurot, foster leadership, deepen Jewish spiritual life and inspire tikkun olam / social justice work.

Our Spring 2015 calls have all concluded. See below for archived recordings of all this year's calls.

The 2015 program year featured calls in the following formats:

• Rabbinic Lunch & Learn Calls (sessions are 30 minutes each)
  - Listen to interesting teachings on your lunch break!
   
• RRC Study Sessions (sessions are one hour each)
  - Each topic was be offered twice.
  - Participants had a chance to study a common text, then discuss it in small groups.
   
• Special Rabbinic Leadership Topic Call (a one-time one hour session)
  - Rabbi Shawn Zevit and congregational president David Piver co-presented strategies for dealing with tragic losses within your congregation.

(Note: Previous years' distance learning calls for congregations are available under the PEARL Calls section of this site.)

2015 Virtual Bet Midrash Archives

	Finding the Reconstructionist God in the God of the Torah Tuesday, February 3 At 1:30 p.m. Eastern time Presenter: Rabbi Avi Winokur Learn more about this call  (Audio now available)
	Jewish Prayer in a Time of Eco-Crisis Thursday, February 19 At 2:30 p.m. Eastern time Presenter: Rabbi Josh Jacobs-Velde Learn more about this call. (Audio now available)
	Offering a Rebuke—a Jewish Approach This call was offered twice: Tuesday, February  24 and Wednesday, February 25 Presenter: Rabbi David Teutsch Learn more about this call . (Audio from February 25 call now available)
	Reconstructionism on an Island: Being the Only Reconstructionist Voice in Town   Thursday, March 5 At 12:30 p.m. Eastern time   Presenter: Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein  Learn more about this call. (Audio now available)
	New Prayers in Contemporary Israel Tuesday, March 17 At 1 p.m. Eastern time Presenter: Adina Newberg Learn more about this call.  (Audio now available)
	Theory, Practice, and Accessing Our Potential Tuesday, March 17 At 2:30 p.m. Eastern time Presenter: Rabbi Daria Jacobs-Velde Learn more about this call. (Audio now available)
	Passover: How the Rabbis Took Us Out of Relationship to the Land and How We Need to Reconnect to the Earth Tuesday, March 24 At 2 p.m. Eastern time Presenter: Rabbi Mordechai Liebling   Learn more about this call. (Audio now available)
	Rabbis’ Continuing Ed: Community Resilience in the Face of Tragedy Wednesday, March 25 At 1 p.m. Eastern time Presenters: Rabbi Shawn Zevit and David Piver, President of Mishkan Shalom Learn more about this call. (Audio now available)
	Shmita/Release: Reconstructing a Relevant Ritual Wednesday, April 1 At 2:30 p.m. Eastern time Presenter: Rabbi Fred Dobb Learn more about this call. (Audio now available)
	Re-inventing Ritual This call was offered twice: Wednesday, April 15 AND Thursday, April 16 Presenter: Rabbi Roni Handler Learn more about this call. (Audio now available.)