Join a movement-wide virtual convening to explore the shared values that shape our connection to Israel and response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as our connection to the Jews of Israel and ahavat yoshvei ha’aretz — a loving connection to all the inhabitants of the land. Together, we will take a close and nuanced look at what binds us in covenantal community, even during this time of deep crisis.
The hallmark of a Reconstructionist approach has always been our commitment to ethical, respectful discussion grounded in our shared values, even about the most difficult issues. More opportunities for learning and discussion will follow in the weeks and months to come.
All sessions will be captioned.
Israel Convening Schedule
Opening Plenary
Reconstructionists and Their Hopes for the Future of Israelis and Palestinians
Moderated by Rabbi Barbara Penzner, Interim CEO Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, the panelists will reflect on their personal journeys as Reconstructionists and their hopes for the future of Israelis and Palestinians.
Speakers include:
This video includes a short video of reflections from a pre-event survey on the question “What does Israel mean to you?” and another short video of Jews of Color sharing a moment or experience that captures their relationship with Israel.
Captions are available by clicking the “cc” on the bottom right of the video.
Interactive Workshops
Join us in one of ten sessions where you can delve into a specific topic more deeply.
Thriving Communities, Complicated Times: leading through highs, lows, and everything in between
with Justin Rosen Smolen, Rabbi Rachel Weiss & Rabbi Ruhi Sophia Motzkin Rubenstein
‘Holding Each Other’ Creative Space with Ritualwell
with Gabrielle Ariella Kaplan-Mayer
Reflecting on Israel with Evolve Authors
with Rabbi Jacob Staub, Rabbi Brian Walt, Rabbi Carl Choper & Rabbi Toba Spitzer
Expanding the Conversation on Israel-Palestine: Toward a New Reconstructionist Approach
with Sue Lanser, Joel Beinin, Marcy Boroff, Diana Ralph & Rabbi Laurie Zimmerman
Joint Israel Commission: Shutafut (Partnerships)
with Fred Andes, Rabbi Amita Jarmon, Rabbi Michael Cohen, Nir Braudo, Dr. Melila Hellner-Eshed, Itamar Avneri & Rabbi Oded Mazor
Progressive Israel Network – The Upcoming World Zionist Congress Elections and Why They Matter Urgently
with Serena Oberstein & Nomi Colton-Max
The Relationship Between the anti-Israel Upswell and Antisemitism
with Rabbi David Teutsch
RRA Members/RRC Graduates Serving on Campus
with Rabbi Barbara Penzner, Rabbi Isabel de Koninck, Rabbi Jessica Lott & Rabbi Danielle Stillman
RRC and Israel Education
with Rabbi Mira Beth Wasserman, Elliot Vaisrub Glassenberg & Sam Kates-Goldman
Closing Plenary
With Hope and Imagination: Reconstructionist Visions for the Future
Panelists will reflect as religious leaders coming from a religious movement on questions related to their vision for the future, how Reconstructionist and Jewish values inform their vision, and how political identity labels (e.g., Zionist, anti-Zionist) are and are not useful to constructive conversations about Israel, Palestine, and the North American Jewish future.
Speakers will include:
Captions are available by clicking the “cc” on the bottom right of the video.
Resources for Israel Convening
It’s not easy to talk about and process the first anniversary of Oct. 7, 2023, when war continues to widen, hostages remain in Gaza and a true ceasefire seems less and less likely. This episode aims to model such a conversation. In a wide-ranging interview featuring Rabbi Mira Wasserman, Ph.D., interim vice president of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Elliott Glassenberg, senior educator at BINA: the Jewish Movement for Social Change, they and Bryan discuss Oct. 7 and how Israeli and American Jews have been impacted. They also explain the relationship between RRC and BINA and how it may be more important than ever for rabbis serving in the Diaspora to devote time to better understanding the dynamics of Israeli society. This is an excerpt from the episode.
You can find the full-length podcast episode here.
In preparation for Reconstructing Judaism’s December 15 movement-wide virtual convening, Rabbi Elliott Tepperman and Rabbi Rachel Weiss join Rabbi Deborah Waxman for a deeply thoughtful and nuanced conversation about the difficult and rewarding work of maintaining unity within Jewish communities that sometimes have diverse views on Israel and Palestine and the War in Gaza. Their reflections on how to cultivate spaces of growth, respect and accountability within the synagogue offer a blueprint for creating Jewish communities that are there for us during moments of joy and celebration as well as times of mourning and crisis.
With the High Holiday season underway, Deborah welcomes Justin Rosen Smolen, Reconstructing Judaism’s Vice President for Thriving Communities and Partnerships, for a wide-ranging conversation about covenantal community. They explore how the idea of covenant, from biblical narratives to contemporary community-building, emphasizes relationships, mutual responsibility and interdependence. They consider how liberal religion can help address societal issues like loneliness and division, and advocate for conversations that build inclusive, thriving communities. Later, Deborah and Justin explore a Reconstructionist understanding of covenant, emphasizing the importance of shared values and intergenerational dialogue, and recognizing that while diverse perspectives may create tension, they also provide opportunities for growth and deeper understanding within the community.
Shutafut, meaning “partnership” in Hebrew, is a project of the Joint Israel Commission (JIC). Its mission is twofold: to inform and to connect.
Shutafut seeks to inform Reconstructionists worldwide about remarkable organizations in Israel that may interest people in the movement. In addition, it seeks to identify ways that congregations, rabbis, and individuals across the movement can connect with these organizations if they wish.
Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations is an online platform with conversation-sparking essays from thought-provoking rabbis, leaders and creators. Explore essays on key topics, as well as curricula, sermon sparks and videos that apply the best thinking to contemporary questions. Find essays on Israel and Palestine at the link below.
Ritualwell is the most extensive online resource that curates original Jewish rituals for Jews and fellow seekers. We publish rituals, ceremonies, prayers and poems to mark sacred moments in Jewish life. Find blessings, poetry and rituals that have been submitted to Ritualwell since Oct. 7, 2023 at the link below.
There is a lot of debate in the Jewish world today regarding the question of when Israel-related speech crosses the line into antisemitism. These debates are likely to increase in the coming years, resurfacing as flashpoints on university campuses, in political campaigns, and in media platforms of all kinds.
