Israel – Reconstructing Judaism

Tote bags labeled Service Matters: Israel Summit are displayed on a table with flyers and green onions.

Beyond Brokenness: How Service Creates Pathways to Healing and Hope

May 14, 2025

In this moving reflection, Rabbi Deborah Waxman shares her transformative experience on a service-learning trip to Israel with Yahel and Repair the World. Amid the complexities of a region in conflict, she discovers how hands-on service work—from weeding at a therapeutic farm for veterans to packing food for Bedouin villages—opens pathways to hope, agency and renewal when mere words and meetings cannot.

Reconstructing Judaism & The RRA Joins Jewish Coalition Opposing Mike Huckabee’s Nomination as U.S. Ambassador to Israel

March 24, 2025

Reconstructing Judaism & The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association have joined five other Jewish organizations in urging Senators to oppose the confirmation of Governor Mike Huckabee as United States Ambassador to Israel. The coalition expressed deep concerns that Governor Huckabee’s views on Israel and Palestine are out of step with the majority

Man with glasses and a kippah in an office, posters with Hebrew text on the wall behind him.

The Hatikvah Slate: A Progressive Vision for Israel and Jewish Communities

March 7, 2025

If I have the opportunity to be a delegate, I come into it with a sense of urgency. The Jewish people need to build an Israel that is democratic and sustainable and can continue to be a homeland for the Jewish people for generations to come.

Text on brick background: “All of the People Israel are Responsible for One Another”: Reconstructionist values on relationships.

‘All of Israel is Responsible for One Another’ Reconstructionist Convening Models Covenantal Community

December 18, 2024

More than 600 people gathered for a packed, Dec. 15 virtual convening exploring “the depth and breadth of Reconstructionist engagement with Israel.” During a time of fractious debate and incivility, the convening modeled “covenantal community,” a Reconstructionist approach to conversation, deep listening and prioritizing relationships — especially in discussion about this most emotional and contentious of issues.

A shofar rests on an open book, symbolizing Jewish tradition and spirituality.

A Prayer in this Time of Crisis

October 1, 2024

On hearing the news of Iran’s attack on Israel as we approach Erev Rosh Hashanah, Rabbi Maurice Harris wrote the following prayer.

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.

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.

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 diverse group of people gathers in a synagogue, some holding a Torah scroll, in a brightly lit room.

I run the Reconstructionist movement. We believe in Israel’s right to exist but reject litmus tests on Zionism

May 23, 2024

Where does the Reconstructionist movement and its seminary, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, stand on Israel and Zionism? Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., powerfully makes clear the Reconstructionist approach in this piece in the Forward.

News

Beyond Brokenness: How Service Creates Pathways to Healing and Hope

Reconstructing Judaism & The RRA Joins Jewish Coalition Opposing Mike Huckabee’s Nomination as U.S. Ambassador to Israel

The Hatikvah Slate: A Progressive Vision for Israel and Jewish Communities

‘All of Israel is Responsible for One Another’ Reconstructionist Convening Models Covenantal Community

A Prayer in this Time of Crisis

Reconstructionist Rabbi Serving Israeli Families During Wartime

Cracked Open: An Elul Message from Rabbi Deborah Waxman

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

I run the Reconstructionist movement. We believe in Israel’s right to exist but reject litmus tests on Zionism

Join the conversation

The Reconstructionist Network

Read & Rite

Havaya Summer Programs

Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association

Placement Office

Reconstructionist Educators of North America