Reconstructing Judaism

What does it mean for Israel to be both Jewish and democratic and what happens when those values come into tension?

With Israel’s national election taking place on Oct. 27, these questions are especially timely.

Join Elliot Vaisrub Glassenberg for “Jewish and/or Democratic? On Judaism and Democracy in Israel”, a three-session Reconstructionist Rabbinical College Beit Midrash course exploring the evolving relationship between Judaism and democracy in the State of Israel.

Through key texts, including Israel’s Declaration of Independence and Basic Laws, we’ll examine contemporary debates over Israel’s Jewish and democratic character — and what they mean for liberal Jewish movements, Diaspora Jews and the current election.

📅 Sundays, Oct. 18, Oct. 25 & Nov. 1
🕒 12–1 p.m. ET (EST Nov. 1)
📍 Online via Zoom
🎟️ $118 individual | $36 prospective RRC students | Congregational rates available

Learn together. Ask difficult questions. Explore what’s at stake.

Today is a day to pause, grieve and remember. May we find comfort in one another, and hold close a vision of peace for all.

This reflection, "Interfaith Prayer for Comfort, Connection, Hope and Peace" by Rabbi Haviva Ner-David, comes from Ritualwell, Reconstructing Judaism's online home for contemporary Jewish ritual and creativity:

https://loom.ly/V0h9Qo4

Marking October 7: Poetry, Reflection & Writing with Lesléa Newman - Ritualwell Please join the Ritualwell community on Wednesday, October 7, as we gather to mark this difficult day together through poetry, reflection, and writing. We’ll be joined by acclaimed poet and author Lesléa Newman, who will share selections from her forthcoming collection, The Last Flame Last. This ...

Last week's Rooted & Relevant newsletter featured excerpts from High Holiday sermons by Reconstructionist rabbis around the movement. A few lines can only capture so much, so here are the full sermons if you'd like to read them in their entirety:

• Rabbi Emily Cohen RRC ’18, West End Synagogue Kol Nidre sermon: https://loom.ly/Y3nVK3Q
• Rabbi Rachael Weiss RRC ’09, Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation - JRC Rosh Hashanah family service: https://loom.ly/cHa0ivM
• Rabbi Ariann Weitzman Bnai Keshet, Montclair, NJ Erev Rosh Hashanah sermon: https://loom.ly/CMBRnrk
• Rabbi Jamie Arnold RRC ’99, Congregation Beth Evergreen (CBE) Yom Kippur service: https://loom.ly/7WWOAjU

Thank you to these rabbis for their words and their generosity in sharing them.

What if some of the skills your congregation needs for successful fundraising are things you’re already doing?

Jane Ralph, Community Engagement Director at Congregation Shaarei Shamayim in Madison, Wisconsin, says the Guide to Fundraising for Reconstructionist Congregations:

“...takes the things our congregations are already good at — bringing people together, strengthening relationships, talking about things that matter — and shows how they are consistent with best practices in fundraising.”

This fall, Rabbi Maurice Harris will help congregational leaders build on those strengths in Fundraising Without Fear, a six-session online course beginning Nov. 4.

The guide is available as a benefit to affiliated Reconstructionist communities.

🔗 Find links to request access to the guide and register for the course in the first comment.

ICYMI: Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., President Emerita and former President and CEO of Reconstructing Judaism, has been named an inaugural member of J Street's new Jewish Communal Advisory Council, joining a group of prominent current and former Jewish communal leaders from across the country.

The new council will advise J Street as it deepens its engagement with American Jewish leaders and institutions, bringing members’ experience and perspectives to conversations about Israel, democracy, peace and the U.S.-Israel relationship. Its members include former leaders of the Union for Reform Judaism, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, UJA-Federation of New York, National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) and other major Jewish organizations.

Read more about it below!

Why We Came Together to Form the Jewish Communal Advisory Council J Street has become an indispensable voice and home. We hope our constructive guidance and advice can help strengthen that voice in more organizational settings within the mainstream Jewish community.

There's still time to join faculty, students and fellow seekers for two days of learning, conversation and community.

Reserve your spot today. Registration link in comments!

Three years ago, the world changed on October 7. Join us for a virtual conversation honoring the shared pain and humanity on both sides of this tragedy.

On Tuesday, October 6 at 1 PM ET, hear directly from a Palestinian father and an Israeli mother, both bereaved by the conflict, as they share their stories of loss and their work toward peace through the Parents Circle–Families Forum.

This event is co-sponsored by Reconstructing Judaism, along with other partners in the Progressive Israel Network . Simultaneous Arabic and Hebrew translation will be available.

New Israel Fund | American Friends of the Parents Circle - Families Forum

Fundraising is essential to a thriving congregation. But knowing where to start — or what to try next — isn’t always easy.

Thriving Communities’ new Guide to Fundraising for Reconstructionist Congregations brings together practical tools, templates and guidance created with congregational leaders in mind.

And this fall, you can go deeper.

Back by popular demand, Rabbi Maurice Harris will lead Fundraising Without Fear: Learn the Skills, Tackle the Challenges, Build the Future, a six-session online course beginning November 4. Participants will learn practical fundraising skills, work through real congregational challenges and make use of the new guide along the way.

The guide is available as a benefit to affiliated Reconstructionist communities.

🔗 Links to request access to the guide and register for the course are in the comments.

Fun read! Our new President and CEO, Rabbi Elliott Tepperman, is quoted in this RNS story on the rise of Jewish mindfulness, sharing why he sees meditation as a way to help people feel God and connect with their inner spiritual lives. Link in comments.

How Jewish mindfulness meditation became a mainstay in High Holiday services and beyond