Tikkun Olam Joint Commission

The Tikkun Olam Joint Commission, or Tikkun Olam Commission (TOC) is a structure of the Reconstructionist movement comprised of rabbis and lay people who work on social justice issues on behalf of the movement. It is the primary body vested with responsibility for formulating and vetting positions for the Reconstructionist movement, for consideration by the board of governors and the plenum, and for coordination of tikkun olam work with the RRA and other bodies. 

The founding commissioners of the TOC have determined that its primary work will be to develop resources and programs, in partnership with all appropriate stakeholders, to support movement-wide engagement on the issue of racial justice and the impact of racist attitudes and policies on non-white populations. This work will include, but not be limited to, consideration of the resultant disproportionate impact of climate change and immigration policy on communities of color. 

For more information about the TOC, or to share feedback on Racial Justice-related matters involving the Reconstructionist movement with the TOC, please contact Rabbi Micah Weiss at mweiss@reconstructingjudaism.org.  

The mandate document which serves as the founding document for the TOC can be found at this link. 

Commission Activity

Commission Composition

There is an annual call for nominations every January for open lay member seats on the TOC. Nominees who are approved by the Board of Governors of Reconstructing Judaism then go on to serve a 3-year term beginning the following fall. Rabbinic members are voted on by the Board of the RRA and do not have specific term lengths. The RRC student and faculty representatives are approved by their respective bodies once a year. Rabbi Micah Weiss and Rabbi Ash Sofman staff the TOC.

Commission Members as of July 2024

Chazzan Sabrina Sojourner, Lay Co-Chair Riverbank, CA/Ohlone, Miwok, Yokuts Land
Rabbi David Basior, Rabbinic Co-Chair Kadima Seattle, WA/Coast Salish Territory, Duwamish Land
Dr. Donna Katzin Altschuler SAJ New York, NY/Lenape, Rockaway, Canarsie Land
Dr. Alisa Belzer Or Hadash Fort Washington, PA/Lenni-Lenape Land
Rabbi Tamara Cohen Moving Traditions Philadelphia, PA
Rabbi Jonathan Freirich Open Door Judaism Buffalo, NY/Wenrohronon Land as part of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy
Emily Galpern Or Zarua Reconstructionist Havurah of the East Bay Berkeley, CA/Ohlone Land
Sandy Gerber Mayim Rabim Congregation Minneapolis, MN/Dakota Land (Shakopee Mdewakanton)
Jackie Glass Adat Shalom Bethesda, MD
Rabbi Linda Holtzman RRC Faculty Philadelphia, PA/Lenni-Lenape Land
Rabbi Lizzie Horne Mozes Philadelphia, PA/Lenni-Lenape Land
Benjamin P. Kellman Havurah Shalom Andover, MA
Marilyn Kresky-Wolff Adat Shalom Bethesda, MD/Piscataway Land
Beth Lange Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation (JRC) Evanston, IL/Council of Three Fires Land
Prof. Rochelle Leiber-Miller Bet Am Shalom White Plains, NY/Lenape Land
Noah Dor Lind RRC Student Philadelphia/Lenni-Lenape Land
Rabbi Nathan Martin Congregation Beth Israel Media, PA
Shari Raider Havurah Shalom Portland, OR
Judy Spatz Board Member Boca Raton, FL/Tequesta and Seminole Lands
Dr. Sarah Waisvisz Or Haneshamah Ottawa, CN/Algonquin and Anishinabeg Territory
Rabbi Micah Geurin Weiss Staff for TOC Philadelphia, PA/Lenni-Lenape Land
Rabbi Asher Sofman Staff for TOC Cinnaminson, NJ/Lenni-Lenape Land