Reconstructing Judaism

Join Rabbi William Plevan, Rabbi Sandra Lawson and Rabbi Salem Pearce (Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life - ISJL) on Tuesday, Aug. 13 @ 1 p.m. EDT for a discussion of how Tisha B’Av might guide us in responding to the instability in our democracy. Registration is FREE: https://loom.ly/9Lrd1WA

🌿 What might our tradition’s stories of resistance, destruction and survival teach us about how to respond to the current crisis?
🌿 How could the practice of mourning sustain our capacity for hope as we face the challenges of the moment?

This program is co-sponsored by Reconstructing Judaism Democracy Fellowship in honor of Rabbi Nancy Fuchs Kreimer, Ph.D. (RRC ‘82) and Rabbi Mordechai Liebling (RRC ’85).

Responding to Instability: Viewing our Democracy Through the Lens of 9 Av - Reconstructing Judaism In this session, we will reflect on how the observance of Tisha B'Av might guide us in responding to the instability in our democracy. What might our tradition’s stories of resistance, destruction and survival teach us about how to respond to the current crisis? How could the practice of mourning ...

Election energy is gaining momentum!

How will you maintain balance, find hope, build resilience, and stay optimistic...through November 5th?

Check out “Resilience Boost,” our new set of prayers, poems, and weekly meditations designed for voters: https://bit.ly/ResilienceBoost24

Today marks 9 months since the events of October 7. While in Tel Aviv this morning, the faculty and staff were stuck in traffic due to protests. Their secular taxi driver told them, "It is in God's hands. No woman or man can bring an end to this because we are so divided."

You can follow the events of today in Israel as they play out live, here: https://loom.ly/HY1ZBxE

Rabbi Vivie Mayer shared her story of living in Israel, managing the challenges and holding on to hope with the rest of the delegation.

Members of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College faculty have arrived in Israel to take part in a study tour, the first such excursion since the horrors of Oct. 7, 2023, and the devastating war that has followed. This trip is an expression of the college’s commitment to Israel education as a core component of RRC’s rabbinical school curriculum and reflects a belief that effective Israel education is grounded in experience, knowledge, and relationships.
The trip includes three days of intensive learning at the college’s program partner in Tel Aviv, BINA: The Jewish Movement for Social Change. J Street T'ruah Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI)

https://loom.ly/Q00or7s

RRC Faculty Arrives in Israel for Study Tour to Enhance Rabbinic Education - Reconstructing Judaism Members of RRC's faculty are taking part in a study tour as an expression of the college’s commitment to Israel education as a core component of the rabbinical school curriculum.

Several RRC Faculty and Reconstructing Judaism staff are in Israel getting ready to participate in an immersive and experiential program of study with BINA: The Jewish Movement for Social Change, who RRC students study with during their summers in Israel.

First up: Cyd Weissman, vice president of engagement and innovation at Reconstructing Judaism, is excited to fly to Tel Aviv to meet with Reconstructionist rabbis, contributors to Ritualwell and Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations, and faculty at BINA where our students learn!

She'll be sharing their stories during the trip. Check back for more!

Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum's trailblazing tenure at NYC's Congregation Beit Simchat Torah - CBST, New York City’s pioneering LGBTQ-oriented synagogue, has drawn to a close. Now, Kleinbaum has passed on the leadership a younger rabbi, recognizing that much work remains. She is a 1990 Reconstructionist Rabbinical College graduate.

https://loom.ly/G_6TAVc

Sharon Kleinbaum led New York's q***r synagogue through crisis and triumph. Now she's passing the baton. - Jewish Telegraphic Agency The first rabbi at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, Kleinbaum led the congregation from the depths of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s to the legalization of gay marriage in 2015.

How does one find sources of optimism in Jewish life and culture in light of October 7, the Israel-Hamas War and the global rise in antisemitism?

Cyd Weissman, Reconstructing Judaism’s vice president for engagement and innovation, spoke about this on a Shavuot panel held at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia and sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia: https://loom.ly/kQGOfZY

Cyd Weissman: Finding Optimism in the Most Challenging of Times - Reconstructing Judaism Cyd, Weissman, Reconstructing Judaism’s vice president for engagement and innovation, was a featured panelist at a high-profile Shavuot program held at the Weitzman Musuem of American Jewish History in Philadelphia and sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. The panel “Only i...

When it comes to combating systemic racism, everyone has something to learn.

That’s one reason why faculty members at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College are engaging in a year-long process — one rooted in the Jewish practice of Mussar — to confront anti-Black racism in themselves and the college environment.

Reconstructing Judaism is committed to leading “Jewish efforts to dismantle systemic racism, and to advance racial diversity, equity and inclusion within the Reconstructionist movement. Read more about what we are doing here: https://www.reconstructingjudaism.org/news/dismantling-racism-from-the-inside-out/

A Mi Sheberakh for Victims of Homophobia and Transphobia - Ritualwell Mi sheberakh horeinu Avraham, Yitzhak v’Ya’akov, Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel v’Leah,Yosef, David v’Yonatan, Rut v’Na’omi – May the one who blessed our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, Joseph, David and Jonathan, Ruth and Naomi, bring blessing and healing ...

When hope feels frail, our Jewish values teach us to find strength in one another. This June, join me as we move through the wilderness and recommit ourselves to equity movements. Stay tuned for updates on this project presented in partnership with the Forward.

These new and previously published essays offer a range of perspectives on how to engage with Torah, Revelation, Shavuot and, ultimately, Judaism itself. Check them out here: https://loom.ly/5xs5p1I

Moses might never have ascended Mount Sinai if he hadn’t received advice from his non-Jewish father-in –law, Yitro. We too — especially during difficult times —can learn from those whose beliefs differ from our own.

Check out Rabbi Alex Weissman's latest article: https://loom.ly/fQWEcc4

How Learning Across Difference Can Be Revelatory this Shavuot - Reconstructing Judaism Revelation this Year? Especially in difficult times, we can learn from those who think and believe differently from ourselves.

Reconstructing Judaism’s two podcast, Hashivenu: Jewish Teachings on Resilience and Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations have been downloaded more than 350,000 times and bring listeners thought-provoking and insightful dialogues. For Shavuot, we’ve gathered a selection of interviews with authors that provide plenty of material for self-study or group discussion. Check out these episodes here: https://loom.ly/YBoA-5w

Shavuot Study with Hashivenu & Evolve - Reconstructing Judaism For Shavuot, we’ve gathered a selection of interviews with authors that provide plenty of material for self-study or group discussion.

If you're looking to host a Tikkun Leil Shavuot or study on your own that focuses on writing, check out Ritualwell 's “Count on Telling Your Story: Writing Workshops Through the Omer” that showcases Ritualwell’s unique online community and the ways in which we draw upon Jewish wisdom to inspire creativity. Find it here: https://loom.ly/Rpfu7L8

Ritualwell’s “Count on Telling Your Story” Writing Workshops Through the Omer Series - Reconstructing Judaism “Count on Telling Your Story: Writing Workshops Through the Omer” showcases Ritualwell’s unique online community and the ways in which we draw upon Jewish wisdom to inspire creativity.

Looking to learn more about the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Check out this 4-part series on the conflict by Reconstructing Judaism's Israel Affairs Specialist, Rabbi Maurice Harris.

Rabbi Harris uses a dual-narrative approach to the study of the conflict. A dual-narrative approach emphasizes that Israelis and Palestinians have each developed their own narratives of the conflict. By learning both of these narratives well, we become better able to understand the assumptions, feelings, and motivations of the people involved in the conflict, and we also gain insight into why this particular conflict contains so many disputed facts.

Learn more about this series and watch now: https://loom.ly/noB4xp0

Want to continue learning Torah after your community’s tikkun or without leaving home? We’ve specially curated hours of digital resources to learn on your own or with a group.

In our DIY Tikkun Leil Shavuot section, you’ll find three resources to use:
🌿 a video series from Rabbi Maurice Harris (RRC '03) on the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
✍️ writing resources from Ritualwell
📱podcast episodes from Hashivenu and Evolve that delve into deep conversations with authors of books we covered!

Check it out here: https://loom.ly/PHjquXY

DIY Tikkun Leil Shavuot - Reconstructing Judaism Looking to participate in a Tikkun Leil Shavuot but don’t want to leave home? No problem, we’ve got you covered.

How do Reconstructionists understand the revelation of Torah at Mount Sinai in light of modern biblical criticism? Rabbi Jacob Staub explains it in this essay adapted from A Guide to Jewish Practice: https://loom.ly/gG54rJM

Shavuot is a week away and we've gathered new resources to help you fully connect with this holiday: https://loom.ly/Qv7Jh7o

Shavuot - Reconstructing Judaism Shavuot is a lot more than just cheesecake and confirmation. It’s a celebration of the central religious moment when God reveals the Torah at Mount Sinai.

The Active Aging Network is about to sponsor its third-annual virtual convening, which brings together professionals, volunteer leaders and funders who are interested in exploring the challenges and opportunities of aging, and how they affect Jewish and civic life.

This year’s convening is only a week away - happening virtually on June 6. Register here: https://loom.ly/4kGPsSc

To see schedule + speakers, check out the agenda here: https://loom.ly/-ZpN3HY