News

In support of Israeli organizations urging their government to provide immediate access to the COVID-19 vaccination in the West Bank and Gaza

February 5, 2021

We join the call of the many Israeli organizations that are urging their leaders to act quickly and cooperatively with the Palestinian Authority to develop a vaccination plan that will meet the urgent public health needs of everyone living in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Because COVID-19 knows no boundaries, the wellbeing of Palestinians is inextricably connected to that of Israelis.

Call for Nominations to the Reconstructionist Movement’s Two Commissions

February 3, 2021

Nominations are open for the Reconstructionist movement’s Tikkun Olam Commission and Joint Israel Commission.

Reconstructing Judaism Names Rabbi Sandra Lawson Inaugural Director of Racial Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

January 20, 2021

Rabbi Sandra Lawson (she/her), a trailblazing leader, will join Reconstructing Judaism as its inaugural Director of Racial Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Working with senior staff, lay leaders, clergy, rabbinical students and Reconstructionist communities, Lawson will help Reconstructing Judaism realize its deeply held aspiration of becoming an anti-racist organization and movement. Lawson is a 2018 Reconstructionist Rabbinical College graduate.

Progressive Israel Network Groups Oppose Codification of IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, Citing Strong Potential for Misuse

January 12, 2021

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 Must Work to Ensure that the January 6th Insurrection Will Not Disrupt American Democracy

January 8, 2021

We must act now in defense of democracy and in support of a vibrant, principled America that values all voices and that protects all minorities. We must insist that perpetrators of this insurrection — from those who instigated to those who acted — be held accountable. We must work to ensure that the Biden administration works with Congress to enact meaningful reforms in support of racial justice and voting rights, and to combat the white nationalist movement. American democracy is a great, unfolding experiment that requires attention and effort. Let us renew our commitment to the work of furthering it.

Jews, Race, and Religion: An Online Lecture Series

January 5, 2021

Jewish experience offers a valuable entryway into the study of race. Jewish identities and experience complicate conceptions that are overly simplistic or that lack nuance. Jewish history illuminates both the difficulty and the imperative of grappling with race and racism. To deepen our understanding of race, we have organized a series of online talks that will bring leading scholars of race, religion and Jewish life to a broad public.

Letter Regarding November Updates to EEOC Religious Discrimination Compliance Manual

December 17, 2020

Reconstructing Judaism was among 51 organizations urging the Equal Opportunity Commission to withdraw or suspend its proposed changes to its Religious Discrimination Compliance Manual, due to lack of stakeholder consultation and public hearings with testimony from relevant stakeholders on religious discrimination.

Rabbi Yael Ridberg: Amidst the Pandemic, Letting our Hanukkah Light Shine

December 14, 2020

Rabbi Yael Ridberg writes: It is no secret that much of the world can’t wait for 2020 to end. The compounded losses brought to us by the COVID-19 pandemic have penetrated every layer of our existence, and hope and joy have been elusive and fleeting. As we approach the darkest days of the year, we also anticipate holidays of light that we need so badly. We have been searching for miracles all year: an end to the suffering, to be able to embrace one another again, and to gather without concern. This week Jews all over the world will light the eight-branch Hanukkah candelabra to remember and celebrate the unexpected miracles found in the depths of despair.

Reconstructing Judaism joins Progressive Israel Network in Opposing New Settlement Expansion Moves

December 8, 2020

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.

In support of Israeli organizations urging their government to provide immediate access to the COVID-19 vaccination in the West Bank and Gaza

Call for Nominations to the Reconstructionist Movement’s Two Commissions

Reconstructing Judaism Names Rabbi Sandra Lawson Inaugural Director of Racial Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Progressive Israel Network Groups Oppose Codification of IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, Citing Strong Potential for Misuse

We Must Work to Ensure that the January 6th Insurrection Will Not Disrupt American Democracy

Jews, Race, and Religion: An Online Lecture Series

Letter Regarding November Updates to EEOC Religious Discrimination Compliance Manual

Rabbi Yael Ridberg: Amidst the Pandemic, Letting our Hanukkah Light Shine

Reconstructing Judaism joins Progressive Israel Network in Opposing New Settlement Expansion Moves

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