Reconstructionist News – Page 7 – Reconstructing Judaism

Whizin Prize Essay Explores the Place of Obligation in Modern Jewish Thought

May 21, 2020

The Center for Jewish Ethics, affiliated with the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, sponsors an annual essay contest to encourage innovative thinking on contemporary Jewish ethics. This year’s Whizin Prize has been awarded to an essay by Daniel Mackler, titled “Phenomenology of Hiyuv Out of the Sources of Ethics: Joseph Soloveitchik and Mara Benjamin.” The essay is a scholarly exploration of the religious experience of obligation, bringing together a traditional and a feminist perspective.

The False Choice Between Safety and the Economy

May 7, 2020

In its unsigned editorial on May 5, “The False Choice Between Safety and the Economy”, The New York Jewish Week points to the “Reopening Our Institutions” document produced by Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association. The editorial highlights the Reconstructionist movement’s values-based approach to questions pertaining to reopening religious institutions, and championed our movement’s focus on pikuakh nefesh (saving lives) above all other concerns.

With synagogues shuttered, Virtual Shabbat Box offers introspection, inspiration

March 20, 2020

In this time of mounting uncertainty, in which the coronavirus (COVID-19) is disrupting normal life and bringing it to a near standstill,  Reconstructing Judaism is offering a “Virtual Shabbat Box” filled with essays, meditations and other resources that can be downloaded for Shabbat.

COVID-19: Resources for Uncertain Times

March 13, 2020

In this time of mounting uncertainty, in which the COVID-19 coronavirus is disrupting normal life and bringing it to a near-standstill,  we offer you a Virtual Shabbat Box. This Shabbat Box doesn’t contain challah or candles, but rather essays, meditations and other resources for your senses that you can download and digest for Shabbat.

The Impossible Dream? Reconstructionist Rabbi Works to Make Israeli-Palestinian Peace a Reality

February 21, 2020

Rabbi Donna Kirshbaum has never been one to shy away from a challenge. She has operated a dairy farm in the Missouri Ozarks, eked out a living as a classical cellist, enrolled in the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in her 50s and started a new life in Israel in her 60s. Now a member of Israel’s largest grassroots movement, she is pursuing a goal that’s eluded the world for a century: a negotiated political settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians.

Day of Learning on Homelessness Combined Learning With Action

February 20, 2020

Reconstructing Judaism’s 2020 New York Day of Learning: Jewish Response to Homelessness, combined deep learning and practical action to help those among us who are homeless.

New Jewish Community Founded in Wiesbaden

February 10, 2020

The newest Reconstructionist community in Europe is Jüdische Gemeinde Michelsberg (Jewish Community of Michelsberg). It is located in Wiesbaden, the capital city of the State of Hesse, Germany. Expect to hear more about Jüdische Gemeinde Michelsberg and our other new communities in the coming months.

Online Exhibit on Women Rabbis Expands

January 28, 2020

The Jewish Women’s Archive (JWA) this month expanded its online exhibit “Women Rabbis,” which highlights nearly a dozen Reconstructionist clergy as well as the history of the movement.

Forces of Nature

January 27, 2020

Tara Saltzman, director of lifelong learning at Congregation Beth Evergreen in Denver, reflects on the ups and downs her congregation has experienced on the road to becoming more environmentally friendly.

News

Whizin Prize Essay Explores the Place of Obligation in Modern Jewish Thought

The False Choice Between Safety and the Economy

With synagogues shuttered, Virtual Shabbat Box offers introspection, inspiration

COVID-19: Resources for Uncertain Times

The Impossible Dream? Reconstructionist Rabbi Works to Make Israeli-Palestinian Peace a Reality

Day of Learning on Homelessness Combined Learning With Action

New Jewish Community Founded in Wiesbaden

Online Exhibit on Women Rabbis Expands

Forces of Nature

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