Why Should I Make A Gift From My IRA?Tax benefits: A charitable gift transferred from your IRA directly to Reconstructing Judaism will not be taxed and qualifies for the required minimum distribution.Ease: You do not need an attorney to make this gift. Simply contact your fund administrator. Reconstructing Judaism’s tax ID number is 23-1710675.Flexibility: An IRA gift can be unrestricted or directed to a specific program of Reconstructing Judaism.To Make An IRA Gift, You Need To:Be age 70½ or older.Contribute any amount up to $100,000 from your IRA.Transfer funds directly from a traditional or rollover IRA to Reconstructing Judaism. Please note that rollovers to a gift annuity or charitable remainder trust are not eligible for tax benefits. Contact your fund administrator or your financial advisor.

Appreciated Securities

Securities by WireSecurities can be wired by your brokerage firm; please notify us when it is expected to be delivered.Wire: Stifel Nicolaus Depository Trust Co DTC #0793For the account of Reconstructionist Rabbinical College: #C312-6582-4488Securities by MailSign the certificate(s) or enclose a signed stock power(s) with the certificate(s). Enclose a note identifying yourself as a donor with your address.Mail to: Stifel Nicolaus, Attn: Andy Goldwater, 20 Ash Street, 4th Floor, Conshohocken, PA 19428Please contact our development team at StrategicAdvancement@ReconstructingJudaism.org or 215.576.0800 to notify us of your impending gift.

INVESTING IN COURAGEOUS JEWISH LEADERSHIP

In honor of Rabbi Deborah Waxman’s 13 years as President and CEO of Reconstructing Judaism, we are proud to launch The Rabbi Deborah Waxman Fund for Innovative Leadership.

This fund invests in the future of a Jewish movement that is both deeply rooted and boldly relevant—one that meets today’s challenges with intellectual rigor, moral courage, and a commitment to relationship-centered innovation. It will ensure that Reconstructing Judaism continues to model a Judaism capable of holding nuance, complexity, and difference while actively shaping new forms of communal life.

A Legacy of Courageous Engagement

Throughout the most challenging moments of the past decade—when polarization intensified and many institutions retreated from hard conversations—Deborah chose courageous engagement.

She leaned in rather than pulling back, insisting that meaningful progress comes through sustained dialogue, careful listening, and a willingness to be changed by encounter. Under her leadership, disagreement became an opportunity for learning, and complexity became a source of strength rather than a liability.

Deborah has consistently reminded us that covenantal community is built not on sameness, but on shared values practiced across difference and over generations.

A Trailblazing Leader

As the first woman rabbi and LGBTQ person to lead a national Jewish denomination in North America, Deborah brought the insight of a trailblazer into her leadership.

She has used that position not simply to break barriers, but to widen them—creating space for voices too often marginalized or excluded and modeling a culture of genuinely inclusive, relational dialogue. Her leadership demonstrates that innovation in Jewish life is inseparable from justice, humility, and the courage to name hard truths.

Strengthening the Reconstructionist Voice

Deborah also transformed how the Reconstructionist movement is seen and heard across the broader Jewish communal landscape.

At a time when public discourse often erased Reconstructionist Judaism altogether, she asserted its presence with clarity and confidence. She articulated repeatedly the relevance of a Reconstructionist approach for a rapidly changing world: a Judaism that is intellectually serious, ethically grounded, and unafraid to wrestle openly with the most complex questions of our time.

Your Gift Fuels the Next Generation

Contributions to The Rabbi Deborah Waxman Fund for Innovative Leadership honor Deborah’s extraordinary legacy by ensuring that her successor—and the leaders who follow—have the resources to continue this work.

The fund will:

Support senior Jewish leaders who embrace wholeness and complexity
Strengthen relationship-centered leadership across the movement
Equip leaders to engage courageously with discomfort and disagreement
Sustain a Judaism that meets this moment with creativity, integrity, and hope

Why This Matters

Jewish communities today are navigating polarization, institutional distrust, and profound questions about identity and belonging. Many organizations avoid these tensions.

Reconstructing Judaism engages them directly.

This fund ensures that courageous leadership isn’t situational—it’s sustained.

Join Us

A gift to the Rabbi Deborah Waxman Fund for Innovative Leadership is an investment in leaders prepared to meet complexity with confidence and moral imagination.

We still love snail mail! Please make checks out to: Reconstructing Judaism at 1299 Church Road, Wyncote, PA 19095.

Give us a ring; we’d love to hear from you! Call our development team at 215.576.0800. You can email us at StrategicAdvancement@ReconstructingJudaism.org.

Why Should I Make A Gift From My IRA?

Tax benefits: A charitable gift transferred from your IRA directly to Reconstructing Judaism will not be taxed and qualifies for the required minimum distribution.
Ease: You do not need an attorney to make this gift. Simply contact your fund administrator. Reconstructing Judaism’s tax ID number is 23-1710675.
Flexibility: An IRA gift can be unrestricted or directed to a specific program of Reconstructing Judaism.

To Make An IRA Gift, You Need To:

Be age 70½ or older.
Contribute any amount up to $100,000 from your IRA.
Transfer funds directly from a traditional or rollover IRA to Reconstructing Judaism. Please note that rollovers to a gift annuity or charitable remainder trust are not eligible for tax benefits. Contact your fund administrator or your financial advisor.

Wire directly from your financial institution to our account at Truist Bank: ABA routing #031309123 for the benefit of Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. For the checking account number, please call our development team at 215.576.0800.

Securities by Wire

Securities can be wired by your brokerage firm; please notify us when it is expected to be delivered.
Wire: Stifel Nicolaus Depository Trust Co DTC #0793
For the account of Reconstructionist Rabbinical College: #C312-6582-4488

Securities by Mail

Sign the certificate(s) or enclose a signed stock power(s) with the certificate(s). Enclose a note identifying yourself as a donor with your address.
Mail to: Stifel Nicolaus, Attn: Andy Goldwater, 20 Ash Street, 4th Floor, Conshohocken, PA 19428

Please contact our development team at StrategicAdvancement@ReconstructingJudaism.org or 215.576.0800 to notify us of your impending gift.

Your Donor Advised Fund is another way to recommend support. Contact your fund administrator to recommend a gift to Reconstructing Judaism. Reconstructing Judaism’s tax ID number is 23-1710675. Please contact us if you need any more information to fulfill a gift from your Donor Advised Fund.

Want to make an impact that extends well beyond your lifetime? Help secure the financial future of an organization you hold dear. Please contact Sophia Barrett at SBarrett@ReconstructingJudaism.org or 215.576.0800 ext. 113.

Learn more about planned giving.

Donation Note: 

All contributions to Reconstructing Judaism are tax-deductible as permitted by law. Reconstructing Judaism’s tax ID number is 23-1710675.

Please note: Reconstructing Judaism conducts some business as the entity Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. These names are interchangeable for legal and gift purposes.

Call us at (267) 856‑3525 or email Sophia Barrett with any questions.

Tribute Wall in Honor of Rabbi Deborah Waxman

Mazal tov, Deborah, and thank you for your leadership. —Rabbi Jason Klein, ’02

Thank you, Deborah, for your amazing commitment to the movement during remarkably tumultuous times for the Jewish people, our movement, and the world. You’ve been a stalwart!
—Rabbi David Basior, ’15, & Ariel Zaslav

With deepest gratitude and love. —Barbara Dolgin & Hanna Gafni

Deborah, Thank you for your incredibly hard work, wise energetic leadership and generous spirit as you shepherded Reconstructing Judaism through such challenging years! —Barbara Breitman & Rabbi Avruhm Addison

Yasher Koach on all that you’ve accomplished! May you go from strength to strength! —Rabbi Elisa Goldberg, ’99, & Steve Weinberg

For the blessings you have given each of us. May you enjoy your retirement in good health, with continuing curiosity and a love for healing the world. —Joanne Feltman

In deep appreciation of your vision and steadfastness for Reconstucting Judaism and your love and support for our Pittsburgh Community. —Donna & Bob Coufal

So grateful for your leadership these many years! —Rabbi Nathan Martin, ’06, & Abby Weinberg

Thank you for your brilliant leadership. With gratitude and love. —Rabbi Andrew Klein

Deborah is such a foundational leader and this fund is such an appropriate way to honor her dedication, service and leadership. —Mark and Margie Zivin

Rabbi Deborah, you are a true friend, a fearless leader, a wise spirit and creative maker! —Meredith Barber & Michael Schwager

Mazel tov, Deb! —Leah Mundell

For Deborah — with love, deep admiration and everlasting joy for your work and your presence in our lives… —Carol Blejwas and Steven Holmes

Your leadership will be a hard act to follow, Deborah. I will miss working with you but hope we can keep in touch. with much respect and love. —E. John Riehl

To our friend, rabbi, mentor and fellow traveler. We are grateful to have been part of and witness to your incredible journey. —Rabbi Elyse Wechterman, ’00, & David Nerenberg

With gratitude. —Jessica G. de Koninck

Deborah, your leadership is steadfast and inspirational. Thank you. —Jolley Bruce Christman

Thank you for all you have done for our Movement. May you go from strength to strength! —Rabbi Lina Zerbarini, ’97, & Dinah Mark

Thank you Rabbi Waxman — you have been an inspiration to me. —Zola Golub

Thanks for all you do for our movement and for RRC, as well as your work in the wider world. —Rabbi Robert Tabak, ’77, & Ruth Loew

Deborah — Your leadership has been inspirational and will be deeply missed. With love, Harriet & Fred —Frederick Mehlman & Harriet Gluckman

Thank you for all your years of incredible service and inspiration. With heartfelt appreciation, —Tammy Smiley & Alan Ederer

May this Fund serve as a fitting tribute to the legacy that Deborah has left and that will live on! —Marc Overbeck & Deborah Bellemore

Thank you for being such an inspirational leader. May your next adventures bring you much joy. —Lissy Medvedow & Cliff Cohen

Thank you for your uplifting of interfaith relationships as compelling models for Jewish life. —Annie Prusky

You have done so much for the Jewish movement, thank you every day. Robin & Una. —Robin Grass

Congratulations on all you have achieved in your tenure. We will always be grateful for your spiritual guidance as leader of Bet Havarim. Our best wishes to you now and forever. —Delia and Sandy Temes

Best to Deborah to all she does and doesn’t do in the future. —Leon

Deb, you are a remarkable woman, leader and mensch. I deeply admire your courage, strength and tenacity. Thank you for the tremendous grit and generosity you put into this role. I am grateful for our friendship and how it came about! —Emily Galpern

Deborah—You have carried the Reconstructionist banner with vision, thoughtfulness and energy, bringing our movement greater visibility and keeping us on the cutting edge of moral leadership. With gratitude for your hard work —Rabbi David Teutsch

Thank you, Deborah. We are grateful for this opportunity to honor you for your many years of inspired leadership and devotion to Reconstructing Judaism. We wish you many years of success in your next chapter. Much love. —Phil and Marla Zipin

Dearest Deborah, Thirty years ago when we first met you, we were impressed by your intelligence, warmth, discipline and ability to lead. Over the years, we have seen you grow in stature as your role expanded. And at last we come to celebrate your steady, thoughtful, decisive leadership through many years of turbulent changes. Reconstructing Judaism is a stronger, more focused, more effective and more respected organization because you have led us. We hope that, in whatever ways you decide to apply your prodigious skills and experience, you will find joy and fulfillment in all that you do. With great love. —Judy & Chayim Herzig-Marx

Deborah, congratulations on your visionary leadership and thoughtful guidance of Reconstructionist Judaism. May you continue to find inspiration as you support and help shape future RJ leaders and rabbinical students with your insights. —Jonathan and Ruth Markowitz

Deborah, Thank you for promoting the Reconstructionist movement for national recognition and for being a brilliant leader in a particularly difficult time. —Joyce Norden

Deborah has led with both relationship and representation, making sure that RJ is visible and has a seat at so many Jewish tables. She has brought an important example of what a progressive, inclusive, and serious Jewish movement can be. —Rabbi Danielle Stillman, ’09, & Matthew Utterback

With deep gratitude and in awe of all you have accomplished. —Valerie Kaplan

Deborah you are a shining light and I am lucky to have you in my life! —Rabbi Katie Mizrahi, ’05, & Raj Abbasi

Deborah, you have been an inspiring leader. Kol Hakavod. With deep respect and fondness. —Rabbi Sandra Rubenstein, ’08

Many thanks for your years of hard work and visionary leadership! —Rabbi Rena Blumenthal, ’03

Thank you, Deborah! Now, rest. —Rabbi Shira Stutman, ’07, & Russell Shaw

Obrigada! You’re an incredible leader, beloved colleague, and dear friend. Thanks for all you’ve done for the movement, our communities, and the world. May your next chapter be filled with rest, joy, deep connections, and sweet blessings. —Rabbi Georgette Kennebrae, ’17

Thank you for your warm welcome and support, Deborah! It’s been a joy getting to know you and I look forward to spending more time together. You have left such a wonderful legacy to your beloved community. —Rabbi Akiva Nelson

May you go from strength to strength! Thank you for all you give to the world. —Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum ’90

Deborah, on behalf of Hal, Ali and myself — we wish you all the best as you chart your next chapter. From B Mitzvah tutor to CEO, we have admired and applauded your leadership. May you go from strength to strength. With love, —Lani & Harold Moss

With gratitude for your leadership, vision, and care in so very many ways! —Rabbi Isaac Saposnik, ’08, & Jeanne Calloway

You have stewarded the movement and the college with great wisdom and care. Yashar koach and may you continue to go from strength to strength —Rabbis Deborah Glanzberg-Krainin, ’96, & David Glanzberg-Krainin

Thank you for your inspired and inspiring leadership! —Rebecca Kanner

Thank you, Rabbi, for your steadfast and forward-thinking leadership over so many years. It’s an honor to be in a movement led by you! —Rahel Smith & Caroline Boyden

Congratulations, Deb! We hope you will continue to enjoy your life, and that we’ll see you in Sarasota next season. —Kayla & John Niles

Thank you for your years of visionary service in challenging times. —Sharon Goldfarb & Brad Glasser, Ph.D.

Mazel Tov Deborah and thank you for your dedication and service to our movement. We look forward to continuing to be RRA colleagues with you as your new chapter unfolds. —Rabbis Laurie Zimmerman ’03 and Renee Bauer ’05

יישר כוחך!!

—Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz, ’97, & Merle Potchinsky

With gratitude for Deborah’s vision, commitment and leadership! —Rabbi Toba Spitzer, ’97

It truly has been wonderful to work with you and to have your support for camp. Mazel Tov on your next chapter. —Judy & Mark Spatz

Thank you for your leadership! —Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann, ’06, & Jon Herrmann

Deborah’s principled and fearless leadership, collegial accessibility, authentic Jewish voice, and insistent calls for justice, compassion, and peace have made her a treasured guide during some very challenging social and political times. —Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub & Simha Rosenberg

As a mom of an RRC student, I can confidently say Rabbi Waxman is a positive influence. I met her once and was impressed in our short conversation. Thank you for mentoring/educating our future. May you have many blessings in your future. —Linda Wallach

We love that this fund will carry on your enduring legacy of deep commitment to Judaism and the Reconstructionist Community. And we love you! Yasher Ko’ach! —Janis Smith & Shimon Waldfogel

Dear Rabbi, with our thanks, immense respect and love for all of your years of leadership, insights and compassion. You are the north star for us all.—Steven & Dana Weinberg

Deb’s leadership exemplifies her charisma, intelligence, dedication and compassion. She carefully listens and thoughtfully answers. We truly value our friendship with Deb and wish her and Christina the very best. —Cindy and Gary Reedy

Dear Deborah, I feel I was there at the beginning while you were a student, and you and I have chosen to confide in each other ever since. I have been so proud of the way you have led this movement, and your leadrship kept me involved long after I should have retired from active participation. You may be retiring from the Presidency, but I know you will not retire from letting your voice be heard when progressive Judiaism most needs it. That’s what “going from strength to strength”means —Don Shaprio

Thank you, Deborah, for your dedicated and wise leadership of our Movement over these last years. We will always remember fondly our trip with you to Israel in 2014. Stay well, and good luck in whatever you do next. —Mim (Eisenstein) and Carol (Stern)

Deborah…..I applaud the giant step you are taking and wish you well on your next adventure, yet unknown to you, that will surely pull you into its orbit. With great respect, friendship and admiration. —Sallie Gratch

Deborah has led a movement and led it well, partly because it has never been about her but only about where she wants us to stand in the world as caring, value-driven Reconstructionist Jews. Over and over, she has demonstrated the capacity to listen to all the different constituencies in her universe, to really hear where they are at and to respond thoughtfully, urging balance and collaboration and full engagement from everyone. And, most importantly, she has never hesitated to take risks, to speak truth to power, to put herself and our movement where our tradition and our sages and our values expect her to be. She is, indeed, a humble, thoughtful, caring woman and rabbi of great moral courage, and we are lucky to have had her as the leader of our movement. —Ruth Messinger

We love that this fund will carry on your enduring legacy of deep commitment to Judaism and the Reconstructionist Community. And we love you! Yasher Ko’ach! —Janis Smith & Shimon Waldfogel

Thank you for all you have done for Reconstructing Judaism. We at Shir Hadash in Wheeling Illinois really enjoyed the times you were able to stop by. —Glenn Graff

Dear Rabbi Deborah, I’m so grateful for your inspired leadership of the RJ movement. Thank you for leading the organization so skillfully over the tenure of your presidency! Looking forward to staying in touch! Stephen —Stephen K. Gerard

Rabbi Deborah, we are cheering you on as you enter the next chapter of your life and career. With gratitude and admiration always! —Julie Gozan

Kol Ha Kavod!! You have been and continue to be A Blessing for All of Us. —Carol Anshien

Thank you to the following donors for giving to the Rabbi Deborah Waxman Fund for Innovative Leadership:

Updated as of August 24, 2026.

Patrice Aaron
Susan Abrams
Madelaine Adelman
Anonymous
Carol Anshien
Jonathan Arogeti
Carol Baer Mott
Meredith Barber & Michael Schwager
Rabbi David Basior & Ariel Zaslav
Ed Baum & Holly Wallace
Susan Beckerman
Rabbis Marjorie Berman & Daniel Swartz
Carol Blejwas & Steven Holmes
Rabbi Rena Blumenthal
Mark Bregman & Susan Keller
Barbara Breitman & Rabbi Avruhm Addison
Jolley Bruce Christman
Abraham Clott & Sabirzyan Badertdinov
Cliff Cohen & Lissy Medvedow
Richard S. Cohen
Susan Cohen & Barry Berg
Rabbi Tamara Cohen & Gwynn Kessler
Stuart & Charna Cohn
Rabbi Fredi Cooper & Heshie Cooper
Carmen Corrales
Donna & Bob Coufal
Jessica de Koninck
Barbara Dolgin & Hanna Gafni
Leslie & Leigh Dolin
Rabbi Amy Eilberg & Louis Newman
Miriam Eisenstein & Carol Stern
Joanne Feltman
Karen Flora & Seymour Drescher
Rabbi Nancy Fuchs Kreimer & Seth Kreimer
Emily Galpern
Stephen K. Gerard
Rabbis Deborah Glanzberg-Krainin & David Glanzberg-Krainin
Rabbi Elisa Goldberg & Steve Weinberg
Sharon Goldfarb & Brad Glasser
Zola Golub
Sally Gottesman
Julie Gozan
Glenn Graff
Robin Grass
Sallie Gratch
Cindy Greenberg
William Halpern & Naomi Weiss
Jill & Philip Hamilton
Jeremy Hanson Willis
Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann & Jon Herrmann
Chayim & Judy Herzig-Marx
Chana Jacobs
Susan S. Jahoda Philanthropic Fund
Amy Jaslow
Joan Kahn
Rebecca Kanner
Jennifer Kaplan & Susie Tanchel
Sarah & Andy Kaplan
Valerie Kaplan
Nancy Katz & Kathy Wildman
Daniel Kaufman & Timothy Beaver
Rabbi Georgette Kennebrae
Howard Kerbel & Beth Fuqua
Andrew Klein
Rabbi Jason Klein
Rabbi Sharon A. Kleinbaum & Randi Weingarten
Rabbi Jonathan Kligler and Ellen Jahoda
Karen Kolodny & Hank Amon
Vickie & Irving Korey
Richard Kulp & Marla Baker
Susan Lanser & Jo Radner
Marcel & Evelyn Laufer
Rabbi Sandra Lawson
Susan Levine & Jim Lauer
Susan & David Levy
Roslyn & David Liebling
Alan & Carolyn Lindy
Jennifer Main
Rabbi Nina Mandel
Rabbi Nomi Manon
Jonathan Markowitz & Ruth Wenger
Rabbi Nathan Martin & Abby Weinberg
Tonda Marton
Frederick Mehlman & Harriet Gluckman
Ruth Messinger
Rabbi Katie Mizrahi & Raj Abbasi
Helaine Morss
Lani & Harold Moss
Leah Mundell
Beth & Ira Nash
Rabbi Akiva Nelson
Jeremey & Fran Newberg
Kayla & John Niles
Joyce Norden
Mark & Patricia Nussbaum
Nancy Oseasohn
Marc Overbeck & Deborah Bellemore
Ms. Carol Palmer
Rabbi Barbara Penzner & Brian Rosman
Daniel Pinkert & Freddi Greenberg
Mark Pinsky & Jennifer Paget
Rabbi Amber Powers & Cherie Older
Annie Prusky
Rabbi Maria Pulzetti & Abigail Horn
Leon Puttler
Michael & Debra Rand
Rabbi Debra Rappaport & Robert Zelle
Cindy & Gary Reedy
Adam & Shelley Reese
E. John Riehl
David Roberts & Sue Fischlowitz
Dan Rome & Cindy Shulak-Rome
Seth & Joan Rosen
Justin & Avi Rosen Smolen
Eric Rosenbaum & Pierre Vallet
Mark & Sandra Rothman
Rabbi Sandra Rubenstein
Patricia Saddier
Myrna Sameth
Phillip Saperia
Alan & Suzanne Saposnik
Rabbi Isaac Saposnik & Jeanne Calloway
Charles E. Scheidt
Ron Schnur & Sandy Sussman
Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz & Merle Potchinsky
Robert Schwartz & Ellen Brown
Arkady & Ella Serebryannik
Donald & Arlene Shapiro
Joshua Sherbin
David & Robin Sigman
Tammy Smiley & Alan Ederer
Janis Smith & Shimon Waldfogel
Rahel Smith & Caroline Boyden
Judy & Mark Spatz
Rabbi Toba Spitzer
Rabbi Danielle Stillman & Matthew Utterback
Rabbi Shira Stutman & Russell Shaw
Rabbi Robert Tabak & Ruth Loew
Delia & Sandy Temes
Rabbi Elliott Tepperman & Sarah O’Leary
Rabbi David Teutsch & Betsy Platkin Teutsch
Harry & Karen Waizer
Linda Wallach
Rabbi Mira Wasserman & Steven Weitzman
Andy Waxman
Eliot B. Waxman
Jessica Waxman
Rabbi Elyse Wechterman & David Nerenberg
Steven & Dana Weinberg
Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub & Simha Rosenberg
Rabbi Rachel Weiss & Julia Tauber
Rabbi Avi Winokur & Susan Berman
Abigail Wolf & Jonathan Weiss
Rabbi Lina Zerbarini & Dinah Mark
Rabbis Laurie Zimmerman & Renee Bauer
Philip & Marla Zipin
Mark & Margie Zivin

The Rabbi Deborah Waxman Fund for Innovative Leadership

INVESTING IN COURAGEOUS JEWISH LEADERSHIP

A Legacy of Courageous Engagement

A Trailblazing Leader

Strengthening the Reconstructionist Voice

Your Gift Fuels the Next Generation

Why This Matters

Join Us

Tribute Wall in Honor of Rabbi Deborah Waxman

Thank you to the following donors for giving to the Rabbi Deborah Waxman Fund for Innovative Leadership:

Thank you to the following donors for giving to the Rabbi Deborah Waxman Fund for Innovative Leadership:

Join the conversation

The Reconstructionist Network

Read & Rite

Havaya Summer Programs

Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association

Placement Office

Reconstructionist Educators of North America

The Reconstructionist Network

Read & Rite

Placement Office

Havaya Summer Programs

Reconstructionist Educators of North America

Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association