Virtual Shabbat Box
Your Virtual Shabbat Box holds many ways to celebrate the day. Choose what nurtures you: listen, watch or read.
March 21-22
Rabbi Elliott Tepperman explains the importance of the World Zionist Congress and why he’s running on the Hatikvah slate.
The Reconstructionist Education Database goes live March 25. Learn how it will make Reconstructionist education more effective and relevant.
Rabbi David Teutsch, Ph.D., explores how we can create and sustain meaning-rich communities with the power to transform lives.
Before this week’s Torah portion, the text refers to the wandering Israelites as “the people of Israel,” but now calls them “the house of Israel.” Rabbi James Greene explores the significance of this terminology shift.
March 14-15
Learn about the Virtual Shabbat Box’s origins. While the world has changed over the past five years, these weekly resources continue to provide meaning and inspiration.
At Purim, we’re encouraged to drink to excess, but what if you’re in recovery? Rabbinical student Anna Coufal offers a ritual meditation for those committed to abstaining from addictive behavior.
Rabbi Shammai Engelmayer’s prayer celebrates Adar, the coming of Purim and the proximity of Passover.
From the Virtual Shabbat Box archives: In this 2021-piece, Rabbi Irwin Keller—self-described drag queen—reflects on what it means to dress up for Purim.
March 7-8
Rabbi Barbara Penzner explores the topsy-turvy nature of the Purim story. The holiday’s message, she writes, is about the power of human beings to embody Godliness and do right in the world.
Think you know Purim? If you haven’t experienced the festive meal, you’ve missed half the zaniness and insight.
Learn how to make these Mizrahi Purim treats and spice up your holiday celebration.
Rabbi Seth Goldstein reminds us how we drown out the sound of bad things – from both the Purim story and in our daily lives!
February 28-March 1
This podcast featuring Rabbi David Jaffe and Yehudah Webster explores how the practice of Mussar (Jewish ethical teachings) can help people change their own behavior and confront racism.
This a cappella performance is an interpretation of the Ashrei prayer, which is traditionally recited three times daily and drawn from Psalm 145.
The loss of hostages, of so much life, is still so fresh. This poem by Rabbi Tsurah August urges us to feel profound emotions — rather than suppress them.
Black History Month may be drawing to a close, but thinking and learning should happen year-round. These educational videos, articles and curricula explore the interaction of Jews and race.
February 21-22
This poem by LilyFish Gomberg powerfully expresses how profound grief and sadness can manifest in our bodies.
This collection of essays explores what it means to be obligated to one another as part of a sacred community.
Rabbi David Jaffe and Yehuda Webster argue that now is not the time for white-majority Jewish communities to crouch into self-protective mode. Instead, they must work with partners to combat racism and antisemitism at the same time.
Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann’s prayer is a call for a country and world in which everyone is treated equally and as if they were created in the divine image.
February 14-15
Growing up, Rabbi Aya Baron saw Tu B’shvat as a way to get out of Hebrew school class. Now, she sees the holiday as a path to explore profound inner landscapes.
Two rabbinical students elevate ways that all Jewish spaces can learn from the wisdom of the disability community.
Rabbi Asher Sofman explains the importance of JDAIM and inclusion work in the Jewish community.
Rabbinical student Kara A. Wilson reflects on whiteness as a “pervasive force that shapes society.”
February 7-8
We all need nourishment. Learn how to make date and nut marble treats for your Tu B’Shvat gathering.
This engaging collection of essays explores Judaism’s relationship to the natural world, environmentalism and the holiday of Tu B’Shvat.
February is Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM.) This prayer by Mat Wilson serves as a reminder that each of us can worship in the fullness of who we are.
Alan Cole’s prayer is also a call to government to act with “kindness and compassion to the oppressed.”
January 31-February 1
This urgent, necessary prayer by Rabbi Emily Aviva Kapor-Mater beseeches the God of our ancestors to grant life and happiness “for all who cross over the boundaries of life.”
In a conversation both deeply personal and grounded in history and sociology, Ilana Kaufman, CEO of the Jews of Color Initiative, shares her mission and how the work has been so challenging in a post-October 7 world.
Rabbi Alex Weissman shares what happened when his plans to use mussar to address racism met the realities of a volatile world — and how he adapted.
Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer offers appreciation for the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, who spoke from the pulpit urging national leaders to have compassion on immigrants, LGTBQ folks and all who are vulnerable.
January 24-25
Cantor Jennifer Duretz Peled wrote this song and prayer not long after Oct. 7, but the words and melody will resonate until every hostage is free. Sourced from Ritualwell
Rabbis Sandra Lawson and Alex Weissman share how they worked with rabbinical school faculty and used traditional Jewish practices to confront racism in hearts and minds.
Ilana Kaufman writes about her childhood experiences, the problem of thinking of Jews and Blacks as distinct populations, and how everyone can be inspired and committed to the Jewish future.
In this d’var Torah, Rabbi Steven Carr Rueben writes of the importance given to names in the Torah.
January 17-18
All of the hostages need our prayers; those we pray are on their way to freedom and a chance to rebuild their lives, those still in captivity and those who didn’t make it out alive. Rabbi Janet Madden’s powerful poem helps channel all these thoughts and emotions.
Rabbi Sandra Lawson writes that, by working together for social justice, communities “embody the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the enduring call of Jewish values to pursue a better world.”
Stanley Levison may not be a household name, but the Jewish New Yorker was one of Martin Luther King Jr.’s closest friends and advisers. Evolve podcast host Bryan Schwartzman writes about what we can learn from their relationship.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Beyond Speech” is today considered one of his most consequential. In it, he talks of “a shift from a thing-oriented society to a person-oriented society.” Hear King’s words chanted to traditional haftarah melodies.
January 10-11
Trained chaplains can make a profound difference in difficult situations. Learn about how RRC students train to be chaplains, grow professional skills and engage in deep theological reflection — while serving others.
Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife offers a deeply felt petition to the divine presence to alleviate much of what ails the world. More powerfully, she calls upon each to partner with the divine to “create the world as it could be.”
Rabbi Irwin Keller writes about the Taproot Community and his search to more fully understand the biblical Joseph, who might be understood as having lived a life of gender fluidity. Ultimately, Keller hopes “that we might all be seen in our complexity.”
In his commentary on the final portion of Genesis, Rabbi Lewis Eron explores how “our bodies are like Torah scrolls.”
January 3-4
Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., explains how the concept of covenantal community is crucial to understanding what it means to be a Reconstructionist Jew.
Tashmishei mitzvah are objects used to perform a mitzvah. Writer Char Hersh offers blessings for using medical devices, fulfilling the mitzvah of taking care of one’s body.
The largest Reconstructionist gathering since the 2022 convention focused on “the depth and breadth of Reconstructionist engagement with Israel.”
In this podcast, author Myra Sack reflects on her work in grief literacy and her own grief process after the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Havi. She also discusses the importance of observing rituals and finding forgiveness.
2024
December 27-28
Rabbi Lily Solochek teaches that, sometimes, small acts of courage and kindness matter more than heroic deeds from storybooks.
Rabbi Ben Weiner asks how can we understand Hanukkah during a time of war in the Middle East and Ukraine?
Rabbi Amber Powers explores how we celebrate a time of miracles and light when hostages remain underground.
This beautiful song by Rabbi Jonathan Cohen praises light’s multiplier effect.
December 20-21
Rabbi Nancy Fuchs Kreimer teaches her grandchildren –– who are being raised Catholic –– about the special aspects of Hanukkah and Christmas.
Rabbi Elyse Wechterman explores Hanukkah’s more grown-up stories and what they can tell us about how to find courage today.
Adva Chattler shares a family Hanukkah favorite and cousin to the latke, the aruk. It’s a delicious way to remember the miracle of the oil.
Rabbi Yael Levy offers a different meditation for every day/night of Hanukkah. Each is geared to help us find the infinite light within ourselves.
December 13-14
In preparation for Reconstructing Judaism’s December 15 movement wide virtual convening, Rabbi Elliott Tepperman and Rabbi Rachel Weiss join Rabbi Deborah Waxman for a deeply thoughtful and nuanced conversation.
In this excerpt from her heartbreaking and powerful memoir, author Myra Sack reflects on the first week after the death of her 2-year-old daughter, and the beginnings of rituals her family would observe.
Winter is almost officially upon us, and Rabbi David G. Winship shares his blessing for outer and inner warmth.
In this vivid, gripping midrash, Rabbi Steven Nathan tells the story of Jacob’s restless night before his reunion with Essau. Here, in full cinematic scope, the reader can visualize the dramatic wrestling match with the angel.
December 6-7
Andy Levin, a former Congressman and synagogue president, discusses the election, war in the Middle East, his sources of courage and his love of Reconstructionist Judaism.
Rabbi Bob Gluck meditates on the human fascination with humpback songs and the limits of our knowledge. For insight, he turns to the Patriarch Jacob and theologian Martin Buber.
Rabbi Haviva Ner David’s poem is both a dispatch from a street protest focused on the hostages and a heartfelt prayer.
Rabbi Arlene Berger’s teaching on Parshat Vayetzey highlights Jacob’s request for the bare necessities, which can serve as an example during a season of excessive materialism and consumption.
November 29-30
Rabbi Sandra Lawson discusses Thanksgiving from a Reconstructionist and contemporary perspective.
The Reconstructionist prayerbook reprints this classic New Yorker story about an immigrant home and one girl’s desire for an authentic, American Thanksgiving.
Writer and editor Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer offers prompts to share different experiences of gratitude at your Thanksgiving table.
This Thanksgiving Day prayer focuses on gratitude for “hope in uncertainty.”
November 22-23
Rabbi Jacob Staub explores Abraham’s journey to Mount Moriah. What can we learn from Abraham about how to face the uncertainty and anxiety of this moment?
In a conversation with Reconstructing Judaism, Justin Smolen Rosen shares his Jewish journey and how the Thriving Communities team is serving Reconstructionist communities.
Writer Bryan Schwartzman expresses gratitude for one immigrant in his life. The poet aims, in a small way, to counteract too much dehumanizing language about immigrants.
The founding director of the Jews of Color Sanctuary explains her fascination with Bilhah and Zilpah, two enslaved women who didn’t get speaking roles in the Torah.
November 15-16
In honor of the Transgender Day of Remembrance, Rabbi Sandra Lawson spotlights the Jewish teaching that we are all created in the image of God. Our actions, she writes, must reflect this principle.
This practical list can help you become a better ally to transgender folks.
Invoking the v’ahavta prayer and the work of Salvadoran poet Roque Dalton, Aura Levin Morales’ poem invites the reader to imagine a better world and to set out building it.
These 20–plus essays describe, from a Jewish perspective, practices that citizens employ to defend democracy and, if necessary, resist tyranny.
November 8-9
How do we move beyond bitter divisions or cultivate optimism? Rabbi Deborah Waxman talks with Justin Rosen Smolen about the concept of covenantal community and how it is expressed in the world.
Enjoy these songs of healing and hope today performed by Rabbi Annie Lewis and Rabbi Yosef Goldman — originally recorded during the pandemic but just as relevant today.
In honor of Veteran’s Day, this prayer asks for healing for our veterans and asks that we fulfill our collective responsibility to those who have sacrificed on behalf of the United States.
Rabbi Jonathan Kligler’s commentary on one of the most well-known portions of the Torah — God’s call to Abram to leave his home behind — reminds us that each day presents a chance to grow in awareness and love.
November 1-2
Rabbi Nancy Fuchs Kreimer’s essay frames defending democracy as a series of spiritual practices informed by Jewish teachings.
This Trisha Arlin poem treats voting as a sacred ritual.
Tareq Abu Hamed, Ph.D., and Rabbi Michael M. Cohen discuss how the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies continues to bring Arabs and Jews together during wartime.
Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., and Rabbi William Plevan, Ph.D., dive deep into Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan’s thinking on democracy and pluralism and why it matters today.
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These resources were drawn from:
- Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations
- Hashivenu: Jewish Teachings on Resilience
- Recon Connect Beit Midrash
- Reset: Providing Jewish activists with accessible spiritual practice and teachings
- Ritualwell
- The Center for Jewish Ethics
Previous Virtual Shabbat Boxes by month:
- October 2024
- September 2024
- August 2024
- July 2024
- June 2024
- May 2024
- April 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
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- April 2020
- March 2020
