An overview of Reconstructionist philosophy and community life, plus testimonials from members of Reconstructionist congregations.
Type: Article
Jewish Community
Rabbi Seth Goldstein proposes a new holiday to celebrate Judaism's "American redemption." A celebration for all American-Jews, such a holiday would be especially significant for the Reconstructionist movement. After all, "what is Reconstructionism but Judaism of the Jewish people, by the Jewish people and for the Jewish people?"
Type: RT Article
Promised Land
Rabbi Jacob Staub describes his attachment to Israel and the Jewish people in this essay.
Type: Essay
Understanding Transgender Issues in Jewish Ethics
Rabbi David Teutsch explores the Talmud's views on gender, from a Jewish ethics standpoint.
Issues for Jewish Men Today
Harry Brod and Shawn Zevit discuss their experience over the years writing about and leading retreats and workshops for Jewish men. Particular attention is given to the issues of being a man in Western culture and a Jew, and how these religious, ethnic, and gender issues impact Jewish men today. An episode of Heart, Mind and Spirit.
Type: Audio Interview
Leaders in Technology, and Also Jewish
One of the key inventors of the Internet as well as one of founders of Google are both Jewish. This article tells about them and some other Jews who have played important roles in the recent evolution of technology.
Topics: Jewish Life, Jewish Community
Type: Article
Oy Vey the Rabbi Is Gay: A Short Story for Children
Short story designed for children about a gay rabbi. The rabbi is not out to his congregation, whose orientation becomes known to two of the members, one of whom is an angry Mr. Birnbaum. After some soul-searching and a heart-to-heart talk with the rabbi, Mr. Birnbaum realizes that his marriage had many similarities to the struggle the rabbi faced.
Type: Other
Building a Youth Movement
Emily Snyder reports on a Teen Kallah from Martin Luther King Jr. weekend in 2001. Reflecting on the fun on the learning experiences of our Youth Movement, Snyder writes, "Sometimes kids need to be led not by adults, but by older kids."
Topics: Jewish Life, Reconstructionism Today, Jewish Community, Congregational and Organizational Life
Type: RT Article
Making Our Synagogues Vessels of Tikkun Olam
Rabbi Mordechai Liebling is the former Torah of Money director at the Shefa Fund (now Bend the Arc). This article is adapted from a talk at the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation Tikkun Olam Kallah March, 2003.
Topics: Congregational Development, Synagogue Programs, Tikkun Olam, Jewish Community, Community Building, Innovative Programming
Type: Article
Educating Future Jews: Jewish-Americans or American Jews?
A frank exploration of the purpose of religious school and how conflicts between religious status and identity can be addressed by Reconstructionist congregations. Are we teaching our children to approach American culture and values from a Jewish perspective or are we teaching them to explore Jewish culture and values from an American perspective?
Type: Article