Reconstructing Judaism

Calling on Gantz to reconsider designation of Palestinian human rights and civil society groups as “terrorists”

November 1, 2021

The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association (RRA) and Reconstructing Judaism express deep concern over last week’s decision by Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz to declare six Palestinian human rights groups to be “terror organizations.” Absent compelling evidence, this policy enacts a draconian measure that will criminalize critical human rights work.

Ritualwell’s ADVOT Creates Poetic Community

October 28, 2021

Before Ritualwell was a website containing more than 2,200 liturgy and rituals crowdsourced by Jews, it was an idea of where to put dozens of scraps of paper in the drawers of offices in the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Kolot: Center for Jewish Women’s and Gender Studies in Wyncote.

Dynamic Hebrew Bible Scholar to Lead Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

June 16, 2021

Amanda Beckenstein Mbuvi, Ph.D., has been named the next vice president for academic affairs at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC) outside Philadelphia. Mbuvi (she/her), a scholar of Hebrew Bible, brings to this role a wealth of academic, administrative and nonprofit leadership experience.

Reconstructing Judaism Over the Next Five Years

June 16, 2021

by Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., and Seth Rosen
In March 2021, the board of governors unanimously adopted a five-year strategic plan for Reconstructing Judaism. The new strategic plan reaffirms our longstanding commitments, transforms our ideological interest in innovation into strategy, and charts new paths forward around engagement of individuals and communities through both in-person and online platforms.
The plan identifies five key goals, equal in importance:

Reconstructing Judaism Adopts Commitments on Racial Justice

June 15, 2021

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

NPR Story on Rising Antisemitism and the Role of Allies

June 7, 2021

In the wake of the recent armed hostilities between Israel and Gaza, American Jews have increasingly experienced antisemitic harassment and violence. In a recent NPR story, “Antisemitism Spikes, And Many Jews Wonder: ‘Where Are Our Allies?’”, Rabbi Sandra Lawson recounts her experience being targeted on social media.

North American Jewish Groups Denounce Antisemitic Attacks in Wake of Hostilities Between Israel and Hamas

May 23, 2021

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.

Statement on the Spiraling Violence between Israelis and Palestinians

May 14, 2021

The spiraling violence that began in Jerusalem and now includes all of Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank is heartbreaking and frightening. We condemn the rocket attacks by Hamas and Islamic Jihad that have targeted civilians, claimed Israeli lives, and terrified children. We also mourn the scores of dead in Gaza, including dozens of children, and we call on Israel’s leaders to remember that their powerful military response can be devastating for families and children there.

Webinar on Jerusalem Crisis and Current Violence

May 11, 2021

Recent days have seen an escalation in violence in Jerusalem, and sadly, violence has been flaring throughout today, Jerusalem Day. With the violent events at Al Aqsa mosque, police crackdowns on Palestinian protesters, the threat of home evictions in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem, and today’s incendiary Flag March, the city is in a state of crisis. Hamas rockets have fallen on Jerusalem and other parts of Israel and have been met by retaliatory attacks in Gaza. This is a highly volatile and dynamic situation — and we don’t know where it will lead. Members of Reconstructionist communities and rabbis in the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association are invited to join in an urgent webinar with leading experts.

Calling on Gantz to reconsider designation of Palestinian human rights and civil society groups as “terrorists”

Ritualwell’s ADVOT Creates Poetic Community

Dynamic Hebrew Bible Scholar to Lead Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

Reconstructing Judaism Over the Next Five Years

Reconstructing Judaism Adopts Commitments on Racial Justice

NPR Story on Rising Antisemitism and the Role of Allies

North American Jewish Groups Denounce Antisemitic Attacks in Wake of Hostilities Between Israel and Hamas

Statement on the Spiraling Violence between Israelis and Palestinians

Webinar on Jerusalem Crisis and Current Violence

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