Resources on Reconstructionism
A Hasidic Lens on Parashat Bo
In this short talk, Rabbi Lester Bronstein brings 18th and 19th-century Hasidic thought into dialogue with contemporary Reconstructionist theology.
A New Approach to the Rules Shaping Shabbat Practice
Congregation B’nai Israel in Willimantic, Connecticut underwent a long communal Reconstructionist process to decide on congregational rules for Shabbat practice. This is the result.
Yigdal: A Reconstructionist Examination
Yigdal, one of the most beloved of the medieval piyyutim (liturgical poems) summarizes the thirteen principles of the Jewish faith as formulated by Moses Maimonides (RaMBaM; late 12th century C.E.). Reconstructionists often proudly assert that when we pray with a Reconstructionist siddur, we feel that we can 'say what we mean and mean what we say,' because our liturgical language reflects Reconstructionist theology. How might a Reconstructionist interpret the words of Yigdal in this way?
Exploration of God Beliefs: A Teen Program
This pilot program for Jewish teen education provides several activities for exploring and sharing beliefs about God.
A Child's Biography of Mordecai Kaplan
This short biography of Mordecai Kaplan is written for children from 5th to 9th grade.
For The Sake Of The World
Rabbi Toba Spitzer grapples wtih the traditional notion of Jewish chosenness, arguing that our Torah is integral to the maintenance and perfection of this world—even as we acknowledge that other people’s teachings, other people’s truths, are also a path to redemption. It matters that Judaism survives—not just for our own sake, but because it’s good for the world, and because we have unique work to do.
Changing the Equation: A Reflection On God
Rabbi Toba Spitzer offers a reconceptualization of our image of God through the vehicle of process theology.
"Peoplehood" Reconsidered
Reconstructionism has long held the notion of Jewish Peoplehood as a central organizing principle. But does it mean the same thing that it used to? How can “Peoplehood” itself be reconstructed to remain relevant today?
Why We Need Process Theology
What is “process theology”? Rabbi Toba Spitzer argues that it offers ways to think and talk about God that make sense in a modern scientific framework, that resonate with Jewish texts and traditions, and that promote wise and ethical behavior.
Jewish Peoplehood: Philosophies of Jewish Engagement in the 21st Century
What is Jewish peoplehood, and how is it relevant today? Rabbi James Greene assembled this collection of texts to explore these questions.
What is Reconstructionist Judaism? The CORE Answer
Rabbi Doug Heifetz shares a memorable framework for understanding Reconstructionism.
Shavuot Theology
How are we to understand the traditional claim that the Torah is divinely revealed? And what exactly is the Torah that was revealed? Rabbi Jacob Staub examines Reconstructionist theology through the lens of the holiday of Shavuot. This article is excerpted from the Guide to Jewish Practice.
Introduction
Summary article introducing Cutting Edge Judaism dialogue
What Makes a Reconstructionist Congregation Different?
In this talk, Rabbi Jacob Staub describes what makes Reconstructionist communities unique. Recorded in November 2014 at Congregation Kehillat Israel in Pacific Palisades, California. A full transcript is included.
Jewish Peoplehood: Educational Resources
Rabbi Jeffrey Schein has created this suite of educational resources on Jewish peoplehood, under the auspices of the Kaplan Center for Jewish Peoplehood.
