Heart, Mind and Spirit, the first regularly scheduled Reconstructionist radio show in history of the movement, was produced and aired weekly in the Philadelphia area. More than 70 half-hour shows were produced. Hosted in interactive dialogue form by Rabbi Shawn Zevit, each program presented informative and entertaining programming that explored contemporary Jewish issues from a Reconstructionist perspective.

Ten of these programs have already been made available as double sided cassettes. The broadcasts below that are available on cassette are noted by a small cassette icon

In addition JRF is pleased to offer a web service to allow visitors to listen to a variety of programs, stored as audio files on our website. Additional programs will be available in the future. We encourage you to listen to them at your leisure, purchase cassettes for distribution in your community, or create education programs (e.g., having a group listen to a program on the web, then discuss the issue in more detail).

For Reconstructionists, Judaism is a religion and so much more; it is our history, our literature, our art, music, land and language. Our guests share their views on the issues that affect Jews here and around the world and offer insights on how we can come to terms with being Jewish today, without losing touch with our history and our heritage.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Send them to Rabbi Shawn Zevit, JRF Director of Outreach and Congregational Services.

Index of Archived Broadcasts

Reconstructionism

• Introduction to Reconstructionism    Rabbi Mordechai Liebling 
• Mordecai Kaplan   Rabbi Ira Eisenstein   Dr. Mel Scult
• GOD - Through a Reconstructionist Lens   Rabbi Richard Hirsh

• Rosh Hashanah  Rabbi Richard Hirsh
• Yom Kippur   Rabbi Richard Hirsh
• Sukkot   Rabbi Vivian Schirn
• Passover - The Holiday  Rabbis Jacob Staub and Shawn Zevit
• Passover - The Seder  Rabbis Joy Levitt and Richard Hirsh
• Shavuot   Rabbis Shai Gluskin and Linda Potemken

Spiritual Life

• Creativity and Jewish Arts  Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton and Rachel Gartner
• Family Life   Rabbi Jeffrey Schein
• Kashrut   Rabbis Fred Dobb and Richard Hirsh
• Kabbalah: What is Jewish Mysticism?  Dr. Joel Hecker
• Women in Spiritual Leadership
                  Rabbis Linda Holtzman and Elyse Wechterman
• Issues for Jewish Men Today   Dr. Harry Brod and Rabbi Shawn Zevit

Education

• Family Life   Rabbi Jeffrey Schein
• Reconstructionist Education  Dr. Jeffrey Schein and Rabbi Linda Holtzman

Community Building

• The Welcoming Congregation   Roberta Israeloff
• The Role of the Rabbi    Rabbi Richard Hirsh
• The Training of Rabbis   Rabbi David Teutsch
• Social Action (Tikkun Olam)   Rabbi Brian Walt
• Congregational Resources  Rabbis Shawn Zevit and Mordechai Liebling
• The Torah of Money ^(SM)  Sue Hoffman and Larry Bush

Introduction to Reconstructionism   

Part I  

Part II

A two-part conversation with Rabbi Mordechai Liebling about the development, philosophy, theology and practices that have emerged from Reconstructionist Judaism. These basics are more fully explored in the new edition of Exploring Judaism and the cassette from this program.

Rabbi Mordechai Liebling is a consultant to JRF, a consultant on Money and Values issues for the Shefa Fund of Philadelphia, and a member of Reconstructionist minyan Dorshei Derekh in Philadelphia.

A fascinating look at the life, times and teachings of Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan, ideological founder of Reconstructionist Judaism. This program also looks at the early stages of the movement with one of its founders Rabbi Ira Eisenstein and documenters Mel Scult.

Rabbi Ira Eisenstein z"l, was a founder of the Reconstructionist movement, first President of RRC and an innovator in North American Jewish Life. Mel Scult, Ph.D. is a professor and a biographer of Kaplan including the recently published Kaplan Journals Communings of the Spirit and is a member of the West End Synagogue in New York City.

Rabbi Richard Hirsh offers an in depth look at Reconstructionist theology, Kaplanian views of GOD and current view of how the Divine "Power that makes for Salvation" is expressed in our lives and communities. Read Adonai-Elohim: The Two Faces of God.

Rabbi Richard Hirsh is Executive Director of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association.

Join Rabbis Hirsh and Zevit in a rich and meaningful dialogue about one of the most powerful and widely celebrated times of the Jewish Year Cycle. How did the idea and timing of a Jewish New Year evolve? What are the key practices and structures that express the central ideas of this High Holy Day? What are particular Reconstructionist approaches? 

Rabbi Richard Hirsh is the Executive Director of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association

Rabbi Richard Hirsh explores the meaning, liturgy and practices of the Day of Atonement, with special emphasis on Reconstructionist perspectives on "sin" and "t'shuvah".

Rabbi Richard Hirsh is the Executive Director of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association.

Rabbi Vivian Schirn discusses the origins, development and practices of the fall Festival of Booths, with attention to home and synagogue celebration.

Rabbi Vivian Schirn was previously the rabbi of Or Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania.

Rabbis Jacob Staub and Shawn Zevit discuss the basis for the holiday of Passover, how it developed over the centuries to become the most celebrated Jewish festival today, the major themes that the exodus and Passover convey to us from a Reconstructionist perspective.

Rabbi Jacob Staub PhD is Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Jewish Philosophy at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

An overview of the structure, development and religious meanings of the haggadah and the Passover seder. A special "behind-the scenes look" at the new Reconstructionist Haggadah A Night of Questions and accompanying CD of Passover songs by Shabbat Unplugged

Rabbi Joy Levitt, an author and co-editor of A Night of Questions, works at the JCC in Manhattan, New York. Rabbi Richard Hirsh is the Executive Director of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association.

Rabbi Shai Gluskin and Rabbi Linda Potemken explore the history and meaning of the Jewish spring festival, the counting of the Omer, and the time of "receiving of the Torah". 

Rabbi Shai Gluskin is Director of Education for JRF, on the RRC faculty and a former JRF pulpit rabbi. Rabbi Linda Potemken is rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel, Media, Pennsylvania, an organizational consultant and on the RRC faculty.

Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton and Rachel Gartner discuss how we balance tradition and innovation. What approaches to creative expression can Reconstructionism offer and what is the place of art in individual and communal spiritual life?

Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton is the rabbi of Beit Tikvah in Baltimore, Maryland. the Director of JRF's Music and Liturgy program, and has recorded the companion CDs to the Kol Haneshemah prayerbook series. Rachel Gartner is a student at RRC, a dancer, singer and choreographer in the Philadelphia area.

Rabbis Fred Dobb and Richard Hirsh look at the development of the philosophy and practice of kashrut from Biblical times to the present and what a Reconstructionist approach to kashrut can mean for us today.

Rabbi Fred Dobb is on the board of COEJL (Committee on the Environment in Jewish Life) and is the rabbi of Adat Shalom in Rockville, Maryland. Rabbi Richard Hirsh is the Executive Director of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association.

Dr. Joel Hecker discusses Jewish Mysticism. What are the key texts and traditions of Jewish mystical tradition? What are current trends towards a popularization of Kabbalah about and what is the role of Jewish mysticism in Reconstructionism?

Dr. Joel Hecker is a rabbi and teacher of Kabbalah and hasidut, as well as the head of the Modern Year program at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College.

Rabbis Linda Holtzman and Elyse Wechterman explore the issues and challenges that face Jewish women in leadership roles, particularly in congregational life, as well as the opportunities and contributions female rabbis have been part of in recent years. (To learn about Kolot: The Center for Jewish Women's and Gender Studies click here).

Rabbi Linda Holtzman is Director of Practical Rabbinics for the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and a member of Mishkan Shalom in Philadelphia. Rabbi Elyse Wechterman is the rabbi of Agudas Achim congregation in Attleboro, Massachusetts.

Harry Brod and Shawn Zevit discuss their experience over the years writing about and leading retreats and workshops for Jewish men. Particular attention is given to the issues of being a man in Western culture and a Jew, and how these religious, ethnic, and gender issues impact Jewish men today.

Harry Brod, PhD, is a professor of philosophy and Jewish philosophy and the author of A Mensch Amongst Men and numerous other articles on male Jewish issues. Rabbi Shawn Zevit, Director of Outreach and Congregational Services for JRF, has written on and led many retreats and programs for Jewish men in all Jewish movements in North America and Israel

Rabbi Jeffrey Schein explores the principles and meaningful experiences that make for a rich Jewish family life and how Reconstructionist approaches can help create a positive Jewish learning environment at home.

Rabbi Jeffrey Schein, EdD, is JRF Senior Consultant for Education and Professor and Director of the Dept. of Jewish Education at the Siegal College of Jewish Studies in Cleveland, Ohio. A recipient of the RRA's Ira Eisenstein award for distinguished rabbinic service, he is a member of the Reconstructionist Havurah of Cleveland.

Dr. Jeffrey Schein and Rabbi Linda Holtzman examine the key components and processes that are integral for an effective classroom education in a Reconstructionist community.

Rabbi Jeffrey Schein, EdD, is JRF Senior Consultant for Education and Professor and Director of the Dept. of Jewish Education at the Siegal College of Jewish Studies in Cleveland, Ohio. A recipient of the RRA's Ira Eisenstein award for distinguished rabbinic service, he is a member of the Reconstructionist Havurah of Cleveland.

Rabbi Linda Holtzman is Director of Practical Rabbinics for the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and a member of Mishkan Shalom in Philadelphia. To read her keynote talk at a recent educators conference, click here

For more on education, visit the pages of the JRF Education Department.

Based on her book Kindling the Flame you will be inspired by a fascinating discussion with writer Roberta Israeloff, tracing her faith journey that lead her from alienation with the Judaism of her youth to find and call a  Reconstructionist congregation, Kehillath Shalom in Cold Spring Harbor, NY her spiritual home.

Roberta Israeloff is the author of Kindling the Flame: Reflections on Ritual, Faith and Family and two other books. She is also a contributing editor of Parents magazine and other publications. You can read her Reconstructionism Today essay on this subject.

An exploration of the many facets of being and becoming a rabbi in contemporary society with Rabbi Richard Hirsh. What were the pre-modern roles and responsibilities of a rabbi? How have they changed into the 21st century? What is particular to being a Reconstructionist Rabbi and leadership in Reconstructionist communities? How has the movement-wide Role of the Rabbi Commission approached these issues?

Rabbi Richard Hirsh is the Executive Director of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association.

To learn about the report of the Role of the Rabbi Commission, click here.

A dynamic conversation with Rabbi David Teutsch about the historic and current methods of identifying and training future Jewish leaders, with particular attention to the experiences and programs at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and models of becoming a Reconstructionist Rabbi.

Rabbi David Teutsch PhD is Louis and Myra Wiener Professor of Contemporary Jewish Civilization and Chair of the Department of Contemporary Jewish Civilization at the RRC. He is a member of Dorshei Derekh Minyan in Philadelphia.

Social justice and the sense of a mission to aid in the Godly renewal and repair of the world has always been a part of the Jewish people's response to the world around us. Rabbi Brian Walt discusses what Tikkun Olam is from a Jewish perspective and how Reconstructionist philosophy and communal life reflects these values.

Rabbi Brian Walt, rabbi of Mishkan Shalom in Philadelphia, PA, is a lifelong social activist.

Rabbis Shawn Zevit and Mordechai Liebling discuss the uses and variety of values-based approaches to money and other resources in congregational planning, dues, budgets, building campaigns, fundraising and tzedakah. This program relates to the JRF leadership workshop and resource book on Jewish Values-based Approaches to Financial and Human Resources by Rabbi Zevit. The 2000 workshop series was attended by more than 120 participants from 40 JRF communities. A series of Torah of Money workshops is being offered in 2003. 

Rabbi Shawn Zevit, as JRF Director of Outreach and Congregational Services, works with inquiring communities and on the development and delivery of programs for JRF affiliates.

Rabbi Mordechai Liebling is a Congregational Consultant and the Director of the Torah of Money^SM program for the Shefa Fund in Philadelphia.

Sue Hoffman and Larry Bush engage in a lively discussion about the way money has historically been and can be a spiritual tool for communal and societal transformation. Special focus is given to the meaning ascribed to money, issues of class and social justice in Jewish life. A series of Torah of Money workshops is being offered in 2003.

Sue Hoffman is a former Associate Director of The Shefa Fund, a national public foundation committed to advancing social justice through grantmaking, investment and community building.

Larry Bush is an author and editor of Reconstructionism Today  and Jewish Currents. 

The Torah of Money is a service mark of The Shefa Fund.