The Progressive Israel Network (PIN) welcomes the Biden administration’s national-level plan to fight antisemitism, a plan that demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to confronting this serious threat.

Reconstructing Judaism and The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joins together with the Union for Reform Judaism, Keshet and 92 other Jewish organizations to oppose H.R. 734. Read the full letter here.

We, the undersigned, who care deeply about the security and well-being of the State of Israel, are signing this letter to protest the racism and incitement of long-time settlement movement leader and Netanyahu-appointed Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich who is reportedly planning a trip to the United States. 

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association have signed on to an open letter to Elon Musk alongside 100+ Jewish organizations denouncing antisemitism on Twitter. Numerous racists and bigots who had been banned from the social media platform have been reinstated since Musk took over.

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association have signed on to Jewish Rohingya Justice Network's Statement on Genocide Prevention Day.

The State of Israel and the world’s Jewish Diaspora communities have a relationship built on a common history and shared values. The reality of a ruling coalition in Israel that will include dozens of Knesset members who freely express racist, homophobic and anti-democratic beliefs is frightening and is an anathema to Progressive Judaism.

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association have signed on to a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling on the U.S. Administration to urge Israel’s government to provide clear evidence of terrorism or reverse course in its policies towards the affected organizations.

Three sacred seasons are overlapping - Passover, Ramadan, and Easter - days of holiness that celebrate liberation, humility, compassion, and rebirth. We dearly wish that we could be marking this confluence of holy days with celebrations of steady and courageous steps forward towards peace, justice, and co-existence in Israel and Palestine.

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined more than 130 other faith and civil rights organizations on a letter urging the Senate to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA),  which would create a new tool for safeguarding access to high-quality abortion care and securing constitutional rights by protecting patients and providers from dangerous political interference. While the bill did not garner enough votes needed to pass this time around, we are proud to have stood with this coalition for reproductive justice and will continue to do so in the weeks, months, and years ahead. 

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association join countless nations and faith communities around the world in condemning the unprovoked and brutal Russian military invasion of Ukraine.  Reconstructionist congregations are part of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ), which is also home to ten Ukrainian synagogues. We hold them, the entire Ukrainian Jewish community, and all the people of Ukraine in our hearts. 

Reconstructing Judaism offers prayers, and positive action steps, following an 11-hour hostage standoff at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas. 

We, the undersigned 21 national Jewish organizations, including the four streams of American Judaism, write to urge you to swiftly fill the position of U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism by considering the current nominee. Filling this position is a high priority for our organizations and of utmost importance in fighting growing antisemitism and hate worldwide.

The Jewish Rohingya Justice Network applauds House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), House Foreign Affairs Asia-Pacific Subcommittee Ranking Member Steve Chabot (R-OH) and Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) for their leadership in introducing the Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2021 or the BURMA Act. This legislation comes at a critical moment for all of the people of Burma, including the Rohingya people, and we call on every member of Congress to support this bill’s passage without delay.

Although Reconstructing Judaism has not been asked to participate in the No Fear rally, and has therefore had no opportunity to participate in its messaging or planning, we endorse it in principle because we are firmly opposed to antisemitism and, in our efforts to foster engaged and substantive Jewish life and in our tikkun olam and public square work, we act continuously to counter it. 

The Board of Governors of Reconstructing Judaism has adopted a comprehensive set of commitments to racial justice.

As North American Jewish denominations representing a significant majority of American Jewry, we join together to uniformly condemn rising incidences of antisemitism. We commend the many religious, civil society and political leaders of goodwill who have denounced these actions and are urging and implementing steps to strengthen efforts to combat antisemitism and antisemitic attacks.

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association are shocked and saddened by the tragedy that has taken place at Mount Meron in Israel’s northern region.

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association mourn the devastating loss of life Tuesday in Atlanta, Georgia. Our hearts are filled with sorrow as we learn of the targeting of Asian American women. We stand with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) members of our Jewish community and with the broader AAPI community in grief and solidarity for those lost

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined with other members of the Jewish Rohingya Justice Network in condemning the military’s coup in Burma (Myanmar), its brutal crackdown on peaceful protests, and the unjust and arbitrary detention and arrest of democratic leaders, activists, and protestors.

As organizations that care deeply about the State of Israel and about the wellbeing of the Jewish people, we are deeply committed to the struggle against antisemitism. We are thus obligated to share our concerns about ways in which the effort to combat antisemitism is being misused and exploited to instead suppress legitimate free speech, criticism of Israeli government actions, and advocacy for Palestinian rights. In particular, the effort to enshrine in domestic law and institutional policy the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, with its accompanying “contemporary examples,” risks wrongly equating what may be legitimate activities with antisemitism. 

We are alarmed by the recent set of moves by the government of Israel to initiate settlement projects and take other provocative and harmful actions in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, including home demolitions and forced evictions, which further damage the possibility of a negotiated future two-state solution.

Many American Jews considering voting to be a mitzvah, a commandment. It is essential that every vote is counted so that every voice is heard and so that our full-throated democracy can flourish.

Reconstructing Judaism joined a coalition of faith-based organization urging Senator Mitt Romney to reconsider his support for rushing through President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee with the Presidential election underway. 

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined an amicus brief to the Supreme Court opposing the claim of some religious social services providers to be exempt from nondiscrimination law.

We strongly support Senator Chris Van Hollen’s proposed amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which stipulates that US security assistance to Israel cannot be used to implement unilateral annexation in the West Bank.

More than 600 rabbis, cantors and seminary students from across the country — including many Reconstructionist rabbis and rabbinic students — have signed on to a public letter warning that the Israeli government’s threatened unilateral annexation in the West Bank “would be a catastrophic mistake…violate human rights, weaken democracy, and make Israelis and Palestinians less secure.”

Recontructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association are signatories to the following appeal from J-Link, an international network of progressive Jewish organizations fromIsrael, the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America, South Africa, and Australia.

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined a group of 20 faith groups urging federal and state prison systems to accommodate the religious needs of all prisoners and avoid using the coronavirus crisis to restrict their constitutional right to worship, particularly drawing attention to the needs of Muslim prisoners with Ramadan projected to begin on April 24. The full letter is attached.

Based on our understanding of the science and the advice of experts, we, rabbis of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, strongly come down on the side of pikuach nefesh - preserving lives. Therefore, we are issuing these guidelines in preparation for the upcoming Passover holiday and in awareness of the likelihood of continued concern over disease spread at this time.

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association are alarmed by the Netanyahu government’s recent announcement that seeks to expand settlements in a way that would cut through Palestinian population centers and deny contiguity to a future Palestinian state. Previous Republican and Democratic US administrations have rejected similar plans with good reason. We call on the Netanyahu government to cancel these plans, and we call on all American Jewish organizations that support a two-state solution to join in this urgent message. We continue to oppose unilateral territorial annexation on the part of the Israeli government, and we remain committed to a just, democratic, and peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians within a framework of two states for two peoples.

For decades Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association have advocated for a negotiated, two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on security, dignity, human rights, and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association are heartsick once again to learn of the recent spate of antisemitic attacks against members of the New York Jewish community.

As entities who represent a broad diversity of American Jewish life, we share a deep concern about White House advisor Stephen Miller’s support for white supremacist ideology and the disturbing ways in which his dangerous views have influenced U.S. immigration policy.  Such views have no place in the White House or as a basis of American policy.

Reconstructing Judaism was among fifteen organizations co-sponsoring the following statement, which was organized by Bend the Arc.

Both Israelis and Palestinians want and deserve to live in peace, with justice and dignity. Israelis deserve to live in a healthy and vibrant democracy. Palestinians deserve to live free from occupation. 

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association have joined with 18 organizations, representing the Jewish Rohingya Justice Network, in calling for justice and accountability for the Rohingya people and all ethnic minorities in Burma.

These demagogues sow fear and stoke racial tension. They promote an exclusivist, chauvinist white nationalism. But they will not win. Jewish history teaches us that tyranny cannot sustain itself. From Pharaoh to the Roman Emperors to the monarchs who expelled us from multiple parts of Europe, Jews have outlasted the tyrants who have sought our destruction. And we American Jews know that the only way for the Israel-America friendship to survive — and not be tossed out along with these demagogues — is to center our democratic values.

Today, ten leading organizations representing Americans who are committed to pursuing democracy, equality and peace in Israel announced the launch of the Progressive Israel Network. The new coalition will provide a strong, unified voice in support of its members’ common goals: democracy and equal rights, religious freedom and pluralism, and a two-state solution that would secure a peaceful future for Israel and end the 52-year-long occupation.

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Assocation were among seventeen Jewish organizations writing to the Consumer Protection Finance Bureau in opposition to an administration proposal to rescind protections against predatory lending.

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association send our deepest condolences and wishes of refu’ah shlaymah — full and complete healing — to all who were affected by the shooting at Chabad of Poway, California.

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association are horrified by and condemn the terrorist attacks carried out this morning against Muslims in New Zealand. Our hearts are broken and we are shaken. We stand in solidarity with the Muslim communities of the Al Noor and Linwood Mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, and all who are in shock, grief, and fear everywhere as a result of this devastating news.

We call on our colleagues in the American Jewish community and Jewish organizations to stand for democracy and equality and join us in affirming that Kahanists have no place in the Knesset.

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined an amicus curiae brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm that religious symbols erected on public property and maintained with taxpayer dollars are unconstitutional.   

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association condemn and are saddened by the recent terror attacks by Palestinian extremists against Israeli soldiers, police and civilians in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association mourn the devastating losses that a white nationalist domestic terrorist inflicted upon the Jewish community this past Shabbat morning at Tree of Life - Or L’Simcha Congregation in Pittsburgh. Included among the dead and wounded are members of our affiliate, Congregation Dor Hadash, which meets there.

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association condemn the stabbing attack carried out by a Palestinian youth that killed Ari Fuld, an American-Israeli father of four, at the Etzion junction in the West Bank.

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association were among the 36 Jewish organizations that signed onto a letter urging President Trump to support a safe and strong U.S. refugee admissions program that represents the best of America.

Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association strongly oppose the Nation State Law that the Knesset has now established as one of Israel’s Basic Laws, which carry constitutional weight.

The leadership of Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association condemn with horror the travesty that has become our immigration system under the administration of U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

A statement from Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association

For those of us in North America, what words are adequate to this week’s domestic horrors happening in close succession and dominating headlines: the murder by gun of four people in Nashville and the murder with a van of ten and injury of countless others in Toronto? What actions can we take?

Statement in response to the Parkland, Florida shooting. While raising our voices in prayer and condolences for the victims of violence, we also raise our voices to call for the enactment and enforcement of reasonable gun laws throughout this country that would prevent such tragedies.

We strongly condemn the recent public remarks made by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, which contribute to undermining prospects for a viable peace process.

Statement on President Trump’s decision to formally recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

We stand in solidarity with the leaders of the Reform movement who were confronted with force by police and Western Wall security personnel as they attempted to carry Torah scrolls to the site.

Last week, amidst the tragic loss of life and widespread devastation from the ongoing wildfires in Northern California, we learned the heartbreaking news that much of URJ Camp Newman was destroyed by the fires. Together with the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College/Jewish Reconstructionist Communities and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, all of us at Camp Havaya and Havaya Arts send our love and support as the community now works to rebuild.

RRC / Jewish Reconstructionist Communities and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association condemn the terrorist attack that took place in the West Bank settlement of Har Adar.

A petition to the elected leadership of our country to take steps to stop the spread of fascism.

Statement condemning recent terror attack and addressing Temple Mount violence

The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College/Jewish Reconstructionist Communities jointly condemn Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to cancel an agreement that would have allowed for mixed and egalitarian prayer services at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.  

Statement on terrorist attacks on Egyptian Coptic Christians in May 2017

On April 27th, RRC/JRC co-signed a letter with 36 national organizations calling on President Trump to resettle more Syrian refugees after the horrific chemical attacks on Syrians earlier in the month.

All branches of the Reconstructionist movement have adapted resolutions affirming the full equality of transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals.

RRC/Jewish Reconstructionist Communities and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association condemn today's terrorist attack in an open market in Petach Tikvah that wounded six people.

We at RRC/Jewish Reconstructionist Communities grieve for the victims of yesterday’s terrorist attack on worshipers at the Grande Mosquée de Québec.

The Reconstructionist movement’s statement on President-Elect Trump’s plan to appoint David Friedman as the next U.S. Ambassador to Israel

Our movement responds to recent vandalism of an Israeli Reform synagogue and death threats made against leaders of the Reform movement.

UNESCO’s resolution denying the Jewish history of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem flies in the face of scholarship and history and is in no way helpful to the goal of peace.

The Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Jewish Reconstructionist Communities and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association mourn the loss of Shimon Peres, z’l, one of the most important and influential founders and shapers of the State of Israel.

Joint letter from 28 Jewish groups imploring political candidates to put an end to the racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia that has emerged in this year’s campaign.

In the wake of terror, a call to choose life and reject hate and intolerance.

A statement from Reconstructionist movement leaders regarding Trump’s invitation to speak at AIPAC.

he Reconstructionist movement is overjoyed that on Jan 31, 2016, the Israeli cabinet voted to dramatically expand the space for egalitarian prayer at the Kotel. This is a blessed and welcome decision.

Joint letter from 20 American Jewish organizations and communities supporting the EACH Woman Act to end bans on abortion coverage.

Statement addressing knife attack on Jerusalem LGBTQ parade and arson attack on Palestinian family. 

The Reconstructionist movement celebrates the Supreme Court decision on Obergefell v. Hodges, ruling marriage equality for our country