Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

Has Or Hadash always been welcoming to lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgendered people?  Yes!  Has Or Hadash been officially listed as a welcoming congregation so that people searching for a synagogue will know that?  Not until now!  read more »

Students Run Philly Style runners competing in the 2009 Philadelphia Marathon.Congregation Beth Israel of Media, PA, today announced that Students Run Philly Style has won its 2009 “Friend of the Community Award.” Students Run Philly Style is the only program in Philadelphia that sets up mentored training programs for students to try running as an outlet for their energy. Many students who have participated have enjoyed better health and more focus in school. The award will be given to program director Heather McDanel, following 8PM Shabbat services at Beth Israel on Friday, May 8.  read more »

Based on a similar initiative in Los Angeles, Students Run Philly Style connects students with adult mentors who help them imagine and accomplish goals beyond their dreams, including the completion of a marathon. The program has been credited with delivering powerful results for youth, including increasing high school graduation rates, improving health, providing safe choices after school and developing positive relationships with caring adults.

Save the Date! Harmoniyah Second Bienial Retreat
Bethesda, Maryland (just outside Washington, DC)

Experience a wonderful opportunity for learning, professional development, spiritual growth, lots of music-making and seeing old and new friends in the JRF world.  read more »

Friday April 24 and Saturday April 25 at Mishkan Shalom, 4101 Freeland Avenue, Philadelphia

Yehezkel LandauMishkan Shalom in Philadelphia invites you to a special “One Book Mishkan” weekend program: Peacebuilding in the Holy Land with Scholar-in-Residence Yehezkel Landau, Faculty Associate in Interfaith Relations at Hartford Seminary and Co-Founder of Open House Center for Jewish-Arab Coexistence.  read more »

Professor Landau will discuss the weekend's theme with particular focus on the book The Lemon Tree: An Arab, A Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East by Sandy Tolan.

North American Solar and Renewable Energy Campaign in the Jewish Community

The year 5769 (2008-2009) will be the little known Jewish year of “Birkhat HaHammah” the “blessing of the sun.” Every 28 years, the ancient rabbis demarked a time in the Jewish calendar that celebrates the ceremonial return of the sun to its original place in the cosmos during creation.

JRF, as part of a national coalition participated in this rare event to focus on solar power and energy stewardship. Our commitment to a dynamic Judiasm on a Sustainable Planet will continue!  read more »

Lani RaiderJoin members of Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington, PA, on Friday, April 24 for a talk with Professor Lani Raider, Associate Professor at the Culinary Institute of America. Raider will speak on “Eating Deliciously and with Conscience: How We Can Support the Environment with Our Food Choices". The food choices we make now are more important than ever before. Eating is not a neutral act; our food consumption reflects and impacts much more than merely the calories needed to sustain life. Our daily food choices are a gateway to our past, our present and our future.

Rabbi Joshua Waxman displays Or Hadash's new megillah case.At Erev Purim services, members of Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington, PA, were treated to the first public showing of the custom made case which was designed to hold their internationally recognized Megillat Esther.

The birch wood case was designed and built by craftsman David Hale of Vermont. The calligraphy which wraps around the case was written by Rabbi Kevin Hale, the Sofer whose artistry is reflected in the layout and writing of the scroll itself.

Read the fascinating story of Rabbi Hale's creative partnership with Or Hadash members to craft their own Megillat Esther.

Submitted by Gail Morrison-Hall

Dr. Rumee Ahmed and Dr. Ayesha ChaudhryThe 2009 Or Hadash Dickstein Scholar in Residence Shabbat was held on Friday February 20 and Saturday February 21. The congregation was pleased to welcome Dr. Rumee Ahmed and Dr. Ayesha Chaudhry, Assistant Professors of Religion and Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at Colgate University. Drs. Ahmed and Chaudrhy participated in three lively, engaging and enlightening sessions.  read more »

The first session on Friday evening focused on modern Muslim conceptions of Islam and its place in the world in the context of the last 3oo years. Saturday morning’s expanded Torah study focused on the week’s Torah portion and analogous passages from the Qur'an, asking how we might make spiritual meaning of difficult sacred texts.

Rabbi Sheila Peltz WeinbergRabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg, a pioneer of Jewish meditation and spirituality and founder of the Jewish Institute for Jewish Spirituality, will lead a mindfulness Shabbaton (Sabbath weekend) on March 13 and 14 at Mishkan Shalom, the Reconstructionist synagogue in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia.  read more »

In four religious services beginning Friday night and ending Saturday night, Rabbi Weinberg – who teaches spiritual practice to rabbis -- will guide the congregation into Shabbat through uniquely crafted teachings that weave together mindfulness practice, Torah, traditional liturgy and a deep commitment to social justice. The theme of the weekend is “Heart Break and Restoration, the Ever Present Possibility of Forgiveness and Teshuvah (change).” The public is invited to all events, including a potluck vegetarian meal at 6:30 p.m. Friday.