News

Rabbi Steve Burnstein, wearing tallit and a kippa, strums his guitar. He appears to be in a classroom as children are looking on.

Reconstructionist Rabbi Serving Israeli Families During Wartime

September 26, 2024

Originally from Kansas, Rabbi Burnstein has lived in Israel since 1996, except for the years he spent in Philadelphia studying at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. He’s a member of Kibbutz Gezer — halfway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem — and since 2018 has been the spiritual leader of Kehilat Birkat Shalom. Affiliated with the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism, Birkat Shalom is based on the kibbutz but serves families throughout central Israel.

Close-up of a waving American flag with visible stars and stripes, blending into a gray gradient background.

Democracy: Reconstructionist Resources for Understanding Our Past and Shaping Our Future

September 9, 2024

Reconstructionist Judaism has, throughout its history, venerated American democracy, elevating representative government to a religious value — while remaining determined to rectify its shortcomings.

This combination of six undated photos shows hostages, from top left, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi; from bottom left, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Carmel Gat. (The Hostages Families Forum via AP)

Cracked Open: An Elul Message from Rabbi Deborah Waxman

September 6, 2024

The month of Elul began earlier this week, accompanied by the dreadful news of the murders of six Israeli hostages, along with another stalemate blocking a meaningful path toward ceasefire and whatever rebuilding must follow. We are shattered. We are hardened.

Reconstructing Judaism mourns with the families of the hostages murdered this week

September 3, 2024

Reconstructing Judaism mourns with the families of the hostages murdered this week: Hersh Goldberg-Polin z”l, Carmel Gat z”l, Ori Danino z”l, Eden Yerushalmi z”l, Alex Lobanov z”l, and Almog Sarusi z”l.

Smiling person with gray hair and glasses, wearing a pink cardigan, stands in a wooded area.

RRC’s New Interim Academic Dean is a Beloved Teacher of Jewish Texts and Ideas

August 20, 2024

Rabbi Mira Wasserman, Ph.D., has been appointed RRC’s interim vice president for academic affairs.

Wasserman has taught Talmud and rabbinic literature for a decade at RRC and loves everything about the seminary, especially her students and colleagues. In the role of interim vice president, Wasserman will lead the college — effectively, she’s the academic dean — and serve as a key member of Reconstructing Judaism’s leadership team. (RRC is part of Reconstructing Judaism.) The vice-presidential oversees the curriculum and student life, as well as supports faculty members in their teaching and research. Assisting students and enabling them to become the best rabbis they can be remains a driving focus, said Wasserman.

U.S. Constitution preamble with a gavel, in front of an American flag background.

Responding to Instability: Democracy and Tisha B’Av

July 17, 2024

Looking to make sense of all that’s unfolding in American democracy and absorb it through a Jewish framework? Hoping to add new meaning to Tisha B’Av?

Rabbi Sandra Lawson speaking from behind a podium.

Building Bridges Across Identities & Communities: Rabbi Sandra Lawson on Intersectionality

July 15, 2024

Rabbi Sandra Lawson, last month, delivered the 2024 Pride Keynote Lecture at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg. Lawson, RRC’ 18, is the inaugural director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Reconstructing Judaism. She titled her talk, “Building Bridges Across Identities & Communities.”

A woman holds a multilingual protest sign during a nighttime street demonstration.

RRC Faculty Arrives in Israel for Study Tour to Enhance Rabbinic Education

July 3, 2024

Members of RRC’s faculty are taking part in a study tour as an expression of the college’s commitment to Israel education as a core component of the rabbinical school curriculum.

A woman smiling next to a window with a book titled Fifty-seven Fridays displayed beside her.

57 Fridays: Creating Jewish Ritual to Celebrate Love and Process Loss

July 1, 2024

Myra Sack, a scholar-athlete who turned her love of sport into a passion for social change, knows what it means to have her world turned upside down. After losing her child, she’s suffered the kind of loss most people cannot even fathom, yet she’s also discovered that by telling her daughter’s story, she can help others process grief.

Reconstructionist Rabbi Serving Israeli Families During Wartime

Democracy: Reconstructionist Resources for Understanding Our Past and Shaping Our Future

Cracked Open: An Elul Message from Rabbi Deborah Waxman

Reconstructing Judaism mourns with the families of the hostages murdered this week

RRC’s New Interim Academic Dean is a Beloved Teacher of Jewish Texts and Ideas

Responding to Instability: Democracy and Tisha B’Av

Building Bridges Across Identities & Communities: Rabbi Sandra Lawson on Intersectionality

RRC Faculty Arrives in Israel for Study Tour to Enhance Rabbinic Education

57 Fridays: Creating Jewish Ritual to Celebrate Love and Process Loss

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