Resources – Page 12 – Reconstructing Judaism

Hands being washed under running water in a white sink.

Kavannah for Washing Hands in a Time of Climate Change

March 13, 2023

Washing our hands is an ancient Jewish practice, going back to the days of the Temple, when the priests purified themselves before performing rituals. Today, we are also called to wash and purify our hands before we perform rituals such as the ones during the Passover seder. During the seder, traditionally, we wash our hands three times: No matter how many times we wash your hands during the seder, this kavannah will bring important intention to our ritual washings.

A Seder plate with matzo, an egg, nuts, greens, chicken, and four cups of wine on a white cloth.

The Passover Seder Awaits …

March 13, 2023

Are you looking for a sense of purpose and inspiration? Articulate an organizing principle for your life? Connect to an ancient lineage of courage and hope?

“Justice. Relationships. Spiritual Practice”

February 15, 2023

Drawing on the wisdom of the Prophet Micah, Rabbi Barbara Penzer shows how loving encounters with others, sensing their pain, can help bring about a more just world. Rabbi Penzer discusses how Micah’s optimism in the face of tragedy speaks directly to our own times.

The Dual Meaning of ‘Practice:’ Explaining Judaism to Athletes

February 8, 2023

Bummed that the Super Bowl and NFL season are over? Don’t worry, you can delve into the links between athletic competition, training, spiritual practice and Torah from Rabbi Jason Bonder, an RRC graduate who has played professional baseball and competed in triathlons.

Close-up of a persons face with silver lips and eye makeup, holding a textured scarf. Eerie and artistic atmosphere.

My Purim trajectory was Esther to Haman to “Punk Vashti.”

January 26, 2023

Rabbi Emily Cohen writes about how, sometimes, dressing up for Purim can help us discover ourselves, or at least a new aspect of ourselves.

Mizrakhi Cookies on a blue and white plate with flowers behind

Mizrakhi Purim Treats

January 26, 2023

Sambusak and B’ab’a B’tamer, two traditional Iraqi Purim treats that celebrate Queen Esther’s hiding of her Jewish heritage from the king, are demonstrated by Adva Chattler, who lovingly learned them from her savta (grandmother). Watch the video above and download the recipe here. B’ab’a – B’tamer: Iraqi Cookies for Purim Ingredients Dough 4 cups

Guide to Jewish Practice Resource: Tu B’Shvat

January 17, 2023

Tu Bishvat takes its name from the date of its observance on the Hebrew calendar—the 15th day of the month of Sh’vat, which falls in January or February. Tu Bishvat is also known as the New Year for Trees, which is how it is described in the Mishna (Rosh Hashana 1.1) because it is the date from which the age of trees was counted, determining when fruit tithes were owed in the days of the Temple. This date was selected because trees flowered after it. In Israel, where the winters are relatively mild, the date also marks the beginning of the tree-planting season.

A hand touches a tree trunk with the text A Poem for Tu BShvat overlaying the image.

A Video Poem for Your Tu B’Shvat Seder

January 17, 2023

Tu B’Shvat is known as the Jewish New Year of the trees. The holiday was originally connected to agricultural offerings brought to the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, and this date determined when the crop year would begin and end. It was revitalized by the kabbalists of Tzfat in the 16th century, with the invention of the Tu B’Shvat seder, where we eat and bless symbolic foods and drink four cups of wine. The intention is to draw down divine shefa—abundance or spiritual sustenance—through the act of blessing and eating these foods. Tu B’Shvat was later revived again through the Zionist movement of the 19th and 20th centuries, connecting it to tree planting in the land of Israel. Today, Jewish environmentalists use Tu B’Shvat as a time to reflect on our connection to the earth and our obligations to protect it.

A menorah with lit candles against a starry background; text reads Light a Candle for Justice.

Light One Candle for Justice with Rabbi Lily Solochek

December 1, 2022

Each night of Hanukkah we add more light to our menorah, and this year we commit to adding more light to the world as well. In this session, we will reflect on the social justice work that we want to engage in and ground our action in spiritual practice. We will use song, learning and ritual to create intentions for each night of Hanukkah that will guide us in our efforts for justice.

News

Kavannah for Washing Hands in a Time of Climate Change

The Passover Seder Awaits …

“Justice. Relationships. Spiritual Practice”

The Dual Meaning of ‘Practice:’ Explaining Judaism to Athletes

My Purim trajectory was Esther to Haman to “Punk Vashti.”

Mizrakhi Purim Treats

Guide to Jewish Practice Resource: Tu B’Shvat

A Video Poem for Your Tu B’Shvat Seder

Light One Candle for Justice with Rabbi Lily Solochek

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The Reconstructionist Network

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Havaya Summer Programs

Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association

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Reconstructionist Educators of North America