More on Ethics and Values
psalm 79: pour out your love
Rabbi Brant Rosen’s poem responds to Psalm 79, challenging us to welcome the stranger even, and especially, in uncomfortable ways.
Hagar: The Immigrant Worker
This provocative Rosh Hashanah sermon draws parallels between Hagar, Sarah’s mistreated servant, and today’s immigrant workers.
The Book of Ruth: A Torah of Lovingkindness in the Face of Death
Rabbi David Gedzelman explores the Book of Ruth with an eye toward structures of covenantal openness, societal protection and compassion towards the other.
Judaism and Journalistic Ethics - Video with Transcript
Video and transcript of conversation on journalistic ethics and Jewish values
Jewish Tradition and Journalistic Ethics Audio
Rabbi David Teutsch, Ph.D., discusses the role of the free press in the Jewish community and American society, and what Jewish values can teach us about journalistic ethics.
Jewish Values and Journalistic Ethics
Rabbi David Teutsch, Ph.D., discusses the role of the free press in the Jewish community and American society, and what Jewish values can teach us about journalistic ethics.
Each of us can work to preserve dignity in the public square
[Our religious traditions] all believe in the importance of these values: speaking the truth, the sanctity of human life, and the obligation to treat every person with dignity.
Love, Enemies and Evil: Beshalakh Text Study
In this text study for Parashat Beshalakh, Rabbi Toba Spitzer examines the fate of the Egyptians at the Red Sea and our tradition’s ethical sensitivity to their plight.
Author Interview: Guide to Jewish Practice
Interview with Rabbi David Teutsch, Ph.D., about the issues addressed in the new Guide to Jewish Practice
Tikkun Olam, Unpacked
What is tikkun olam? In this extended article, Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz digs deep into the sources, underpinnings, and implications of “world repair.”
Making Decisions on Controversial Issues
How can congregations best handle controversial issues and explore the values underlying disagreements about issues?
Truth, Deception, and Interpersonal Relationships
Study sheet and leader’s notes on the Jewish sources, ethics and interpersonal consequences of lying and truth-telling.
The Torah Process: How Jews Make Decisions
Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz explores the role of text study in Reconstructionist congregations’ decision-making process, with several case studies. This article is excerpted from the Guide to Jewish Practice.
Attitudes, Beliefs and Values Shaping Jewish Practice
A list of traditional and contemporary values shaping the process of Values-Based Decision Making. This article is excerpted from the Guide to Jewish Practice.
Values-Based Decision Making
Values-based decision making (VBDM) provides a way for individuals and groups to think through and express their policies, procedures and behavior, informed by Jewish values and contemporary insights. It has been used within the Reconstructionist movement for more than 20 years and is most recently embodied in A Guide to Jewish Practice.
