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- Article: A Brief History of Voting
By Rabbi Jacob Chinitz
Article discussing Jewish views and exeriences with voting. From the Reconstructionist, October/November 1988.
- Article: Is Reconstructionist Judaism For You?
By JRF
An introduction to the philosophy, theology, values, practice and organization of the Reconstructionist Movement.
- Article: Judaism and Justice
By Rabbi Sid Schwarz
This is a reprint from a Fall, 2003 article published in The Reconstructionist. The article emphasizes the important connection between Judaism and justice and argues that making those connections for our communities will draw Jews to Judaism.
- Article: Making Yom Kippur Meaningful for Our Children
By Rabbi Devora Bartnoff
Rabbi Bartnoff explores ways for educators and parents to share the meaning of Yom Kippur with children, keeping in mind three goals: heightened moral understanding, a taste of spirituality and a sense of joyfulness within solemnity. Originally published in the Autumn 1993 issue of Reconstructionism Today.
- Article: Patrlineal Descent and Same Sex Parents: New Definitions of Idenity
By Rabbi Renee Bauer
Article from the Reconstructionist, Spring 2006.
- Article: Perhaps You Belong In A Reconstructionist Community
By JRF
An overview of Reconstructionist philosophy and community life, plus testimonials from members of Reconstructionist congregations.
- Article: Take Your Judaism for a Walk: A Reconstructionist Approach
By Marilyn Price
The author's reflections on walking as a Jewish, spiritual, ecological and community-building practice. From the Reconstructionist, January/February 1990.
- Article: The World as Sacred Space: Judaic Teachings and Ecological Consciousness
By Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb
Rabbi Fred Dobb lays out the Jewish case for environmental awareness and action. Providing sources and viewpoints from classic Jewish sources classical and modern, Dobb wants us to see contemporary concerns in the context of Jewish concerns over time. He also raises questions about views within Judaism which may be counter to his case.
- Article: Who Is A Reconstructionist Jew?
By JRF
A detailed description of the ideology, philosophy and practice of Reconstructionist Jews and their relation to the larger Jewish community, past, present and future.
- Audio Interview: Introduction To Reconstructionism, Part 1
By Rabbi Mordechai Liebling, Rabbi Shawn Zevit
Part one of a two-part conversation with Rabbi Mordechai Liebling about the development, philosophy, theology and practices that have emerged from Reconstructionist Judaism. An episode of Heart, Mind and Spirit, the first regularly scheduled Reconstructionist radio show in the history of the movement.
- Audio Interview: Introduction To Reconstructionism, Part 2
By Rabbi Mordechai Liebling, Rabbi Shawn Zevit
Part two of a two-part conversation with Rabbi Mordechai Liebling about the development, philosophy, theology and practices that have emerged from Reconstructionist Judaism. An episode of Heart, Mind and Spirit, the first regularly scheduled Reconstructionist radio show in the history of the movement.
- Audio Interview: Jewish Family Life
By Rabbi Jeffrey Schein, Rabbi Shawn Zevit
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. An episode of Heart, Mind and Spirit, the first regularly scheduled Reconstructionist radio show in the history of the movement.
- Audio Interview: Kabbalah: What Is Jewish Mysticism?
By Dr. Joel Hecker, Rabbi Shawn Zevit
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? An episode of Heart, Mind and Spirit, the first regularly scheduled Reconstructionist radio show in the history of the movement.
- Audio Interview: Kashrut
By Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, Rabbi Richard Hirsh, Rabbi Shawn Zevit
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. An episode of Heart, Mind and Spirit, the first regularly scheduled Reconstructionist radio show in the history of the movement.
- Audio Interview: Passover: The Seder
By Rabbi Richard Hirsh, Rabbi Joy Levitt, Rabbi Shawn Zevit
An overview of the structure, development and religious meanings of the haggadah and the Passover seder with Rabbis Joy Levitt and Richard Hirsh. Includes a special behind-the-scenes look at the new Reconstructionist Haggadah A Night of Questions and accompanying music CD. An episode of Heart, Mind and Spirit, the first regularly scheduled Reconstructionist radio show in the history of the movement.
- Audio Interview: Rosh Hashana
By Rabbi Richard Hirsh, Rabbi Shawn Zevit
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? An episode of Heart, Mind and Spirit, the first regularly scheduled Reconstructionist radio show in the history of the movement.
- Audio Interview: Shavuot
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin, Rabbi Linda Potemken, Rabbi Shawn Zevit
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". An episode of Heart, Mind and Spirit, the first regularly scheduled Reconstructionist radio show in the history of the movement.
- Audio Interview: Social Action (Tikkun Olam)
By Rabbi Brian Walt, Rabbi Shawn Zevit
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. An episode of Heart, Mind and Spirit, the first regularly scheduled Reconstructionist radio show in the history of the movement.
- Audio Interview: Sukkot
By Rabbi Vivian Schirn, Rabbi Shawn Zevit
Rabbi Vivian Schirn discusses the origins, development and practices of the fall Festival of Booths, with attention to home and synagogue celebration in this episode of Heart, Mind and Spirit, the first regularly scheduled Reconstructionist radio show in the history of the movement.
- Bibliography: A Sampling Of Books For Jewish Parenting
By Deborah Eisenbach-Budner
An annotated bibliography of resources about many aspects of Jewish parenting from a wide range of perspectives. Also includes a link to another bibliography on "Raising Your Child to Be a Mensch."
- Bibliography: References for a Values-Based Decision Making Approach to Greening Synagogues
By Roni Handler, Derek Rosenbaum
A collection of resources that help groups engaging in a values-based decision making approach to greening congregational spaces. The list is divided into print and online materials.
- Bibliography: Tu B'Shevat Resources
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin
An annotated list of many web links and one book - all about Tu B'Shevat for children and adults! Includes background information, history, stories, activities, seder readings and more.
- Class Activity: Make Your Own Haggadah And Seder Plate!
By Rabbi Amy Klein
Encourages kids to get creative and make their own guide to the Passover seder.
- Class Activity: Purim Customs Around The World
By Rabbi Amy Klein
Explains some unusual Purim customs from around the world and asks children to compare and contrast these customs to their own.
- Class Activity: The Four Children Count the Omer
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin
Explores four different perspectives on counting the omer, based on the four children of the Passover seder. Includes discussion questions at the end. For middle school through adult learners.
- Dvar Torah: A Time to Challenge Distinctions
By Rabbi Steve Segar
A article exploring the deeper meaning of the seemingly frivolous holiday of Purim. Why is Yom Kippur sometimes compared to Purim? What's behind the Talmudic suggestion of drinking to the point of being unable to distinguish between Haman and Mordechai?
- Dvar Torah: Comparing Conservative and Reconstructionist Approaches in Dealing with Leviticus' Prohibition on Male-Male Sex
By Syd Nestel
In this dvar-Torah Syd Nestel makes in depth comparison of Reconstructionist and Conservative approaches to the prohibitions against homosexuality written in Leviticus 18 and 20.
- Dvar Torah: Family at the Root of Passover Commandments
By Aaron Seidman
How can we explain why some people observe Passover so strictly even when they don't observe much else? Aaron Seidman argues that it is the home-based family nature of the holiday that creates the commandment that people are more willing to follow.
- Dvar Torah: Four Lessons We Learn from Purim
By Rabbi Elliott Tepperman
The four lessons discussed are: life is random, have fun, solidarity, the world looks different when it is upside down.
- Dvar Torah: The Tension Between Law and Redemption on Passover
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin
Rabbi Gluskin argues that the tension between law and rebellion, between status quo and the desire to bring redemption now, is played out richly and artfully in the liturgy of the Passover Seder. Specific references to the text are explained in this light.
- Essay: A Hanukah Story for the Children of Dor Hadash
By Barbara Carr
A story about a family's struggle to redefine their relationship with Hanukah and rededicate their intentions to the meaning of the holiday. Inspired by Kerry Olitsky's book, Eight Nights, Eight Lights.
- FAQ: FAQ's on Reconstructionist Approaches to Jewish ideas and Practices
By JRF
Series of questions and answers giving Reconstructionist approaches to Jewish ideas and practices.
- FAQ: Purim FAQ
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin
Questions and answers about Purim, from "What is Purim?" to "Why do some people get drunk on Purim? Isn't that inappropriate?" and more!
- How to: Preparing For A Rabbinic Sabbatical From The Perspective Of The Congregational Leadership
By Rabbi Fredi Cooper
A document to help Reconstructionist communities prepare for a rabbinic sabbatical as a time of growth for their rabbi and for their community. Relates to the biblical agricultural sabbatical and includes an outline of questions to shape planning.
- How to: Video Demonstration of Lighting the Hanukah Menora and Singing the Blessings
By Rabbi Jeff Eisenstat
Listen and watch Rabbi Jeff Eisenstat as he demontrates lighting the Hanukah menorah. He's also thrown in "O' Hanukah, O' Hanukah" whose famous English words were written by Mordecai Kaplan's daughter, Judith Eisenstein.
- Lesson Plan: Hashkiveinu - Prayer and Connection, A Lesson for Use with Siddur Kol Hano'ar
By Nicole Wilson-Spiro
This lesson helps children and adults to delve into the meaning and feeling of the Hashkiveinu prayer. The lesson uses a story and other texts from Siddur Kol Hano'ar and and will result in students feeling more comfortable with it.
- Lesson Plan: Oneg Shabbat - Delighting in Shabbat, A Lesson for Use with Siddur Kol Hano'ar
By Nicole Wilson-Spiro
This lesson helps acquaint children and adults with the idea and practice of Shabbat.
- Listserve Thread: High Holiday Children's Services
By Sara Mosenkis
Children's High Holiday services are a recurring topic of discussion on the edtalk listserv. Here are conversations from March 2003 and May-June 2004. There are posts from four educators suggesting different formats and resources for children of various ages.
- Listserve Thread: The Role of Obligation in Judaism
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin
This transcript from the edtalk listserv responds to a question raised by JRF Education Intern Sarah Rubin about how we teach about the role of obligation in Judaism in supplementary religious school, particularly in the context of bar and bat mitzvah. What obligations do we have as individuals? What obligations does the Jewish community have to us?
- Music: Contemporary Shalom Aleykhem
By Rabbi Steve Segar, Rabbi Shawn Zevit
New interpretation of traditional text sung to welcome the Sabbath.
- Music: Hassal Siddur Pesach
By JRF
Melody for the penultimate prayer in the Passover Haggadah, Hebrew text, transliteration, translation, and mp3 are provided.
- Music: Kiddush for Passover
By Shabbat Unplugged
Recording of the kiddush sanctification prayer said at the beginning of major holiday.
- Music: Lecha Dodi
By Elaine Moise
Setting of Lecha Dodi
- Music: Lulay - Psalm 27
By Rabbi Margot L. Stein
A song from the closing verses of Psalm 27. Music and English translation written by Rabbi Margot Stein. Arranged and sung by MIRAJ. Audio file, Hebrew text, transliteration, and English translation are provided.
- Music: The Omer Song
By Rabbi Geela Rayzel Raphael, Juliet I Spitzer, Rabbi Margot L. Stein
Fast, fun, song about counting the omer. Lyrics and mp3 included.
- Policy: Reconstructionist Response to Conservative Movement Decision on Gay Ordination and Commitment Ceremonies
By Reconstructionist Movement Leadership
On December 6, 2006 the Law and Standards Committee of the Conservative movement passed a teshuva, an opinion on Jewish law, which permits same-sex commitment ceremonies and the ordination of gay/lesbian rabbis. This statement is the Reconstructionist movement's immediate response to Conservative Announcement.
- Policy: The Role Of Non-Jews In Jewish Reconstructionist Federation Congregations
By JRF
Press release from February, 2008 regarding the publishing of the Boundaries and Opportunities report on the role of non-Jews in JRF congregations.
- Prayer: Fuller Aleynu for Siddur Kol Hano'ar
By Or Hadash
Siddur Kol Hano'ar has a truncated version of th Aleynu prayer. Some congregations might want to past a fuller version of the Aleynu into the book. There are versions here, on with transliteration, one without. Both use the Reconstructionist wording.
- Prayer: Prayer for the State of Israel
By JRF
Prayer for the State of Israel as it appears in the Kol Haneshama Siddur.
- Program Description: Communal Mishlo'ach Manot
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin, Betsy Teutsch
Minyan Dorshei Derekh in Philadelphia has taken a innovative approach to this Purim tradition by making communal mishlo'ach manot packages for each megillah reading attendee. Community members donate time, money and stuff to create the gift baskets and most of the money goes to tzedakah.
- Ritual: A Prayer for AIDS Awareness Shabbat
By Rabbi Joshua Lesser
Two readings that connect the theme of AIDS awareness to Friday night candlelighting and the Ufros Aleynu prayer.
- Ritual: One for Each Night: A Hanukkah Study Guide for a Brighter Future
By Congregation Bet Haverim, Atlanta, GA
This award winning Hanukkah home guide includes a nightly ritual of replacing a light bulb in your house with an energy efficient CFL bulb, short teachings about the importance of saving energy, a light bulb joke, and a blessing. A great way of giving focus to Hanukkah at home.
- Ritual: Three Alternative Versions Of The Prayer For The State Of Israel
By Rabbi Amy Klein
The traditional Prayer for the State of Israel troubles many people with its messianic references. Here are three alternatives from JRF, the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism and the Shtibl Minyan of Los Angeles.
- RT Article: Closing the Apartment
By Rabbi Richard Hirsh
Developing a ritual for the dissolution of a home
- RT Article: Kaplan and the Meaning of Ritual
By Chuck Konigsberg
As a young man, reading Mordecai Kaplan helped Chuck Konigsberg to reconcile his mind and his heart when it came to Jewish ritual. Konigsberg's article is an answer to those who feel that belief and observance are at odds.
- RT Article: Reconstructing Halakha
By Daniel Goldman Cedarbaum
Developing a movement-wide approach to Jewish law
- Speech: Powerful Meaning in Not Knowing the Answers
By Rabbi Michael Strassfeld
In this speech Strassfeld addresses many issues relating to a Reconstructionist approach to spirituality. He tells his own journey which goes from rejecting Hasidic texts to embracing them. He lauds a Reconstructionist "anti-fundamentalist" approach which asks its its adherants to embrace life's unknown and not need or desire singular answers. The text and audio of this speech are both available.
- Speech: Re-Digging the Wells of Our Tradition
By Rabbi Les Bronstein
Starting with the verse from Genesis 26:18 about Isaac needing to "re-dig" the wells upon his return, Rabbi Bronstein makes a case for a version of Reconstructionism which is engaging and serious. The speech is available in text and audio formats.
- Speech: We Need Movements
By Rabbi Toba Spitzer
Rabbi Toba Spitzer was inaugurated as the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association President at their Convention on March 13, 2007. This is her acceptance which focuses on the need for movements within Judaism. Audio and written forms of the speech are both provided.
- Speech: What Would Kaplan Think?
By Rabbi Richard Hirsh
Rabbi Hirsh reviews arguments over whether Reconstructionism is about process or content. He wonders what Kaplan might think as Reconstructionism continually remakes itself even as interest in Kaplan is greater than ever. Richard Hirsh's contribution. Text and audio versions of the talk are available.
- Text Compilation: Tu Bishvat Seder Texts
By Rabbi Amy Klein
Three selections you may wish to use in your Tu Bishvat Seder by secular Zionist thinker A. D. Gordon, Haskalah poet Saul Tchernikovsky and Reb Nachman of Bratslav.
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