News

A person in a prayer shawl speaks at a podium labeled Reconstructing Judaism.

Ahavat Hinam: Creating Covenantal Community

Originally published on The Times of Israel. How do we encourage a sense of belonging, of being part of a tribe, without descending into tribalism? How do we foster community life that is oriented inward and at the same time open to the wider world? How do we bridge differences

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Logos for Reconstructing Judaism and Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association on a white background.

Broad Coalition of Mainstream Jewish Organizations Release Statement Rejecting False Choice Between Jewish Safety & Democracy

Today, a coalition of ten organizations representing a broad swath of mainstream American Jewry – including three of the four denominations – issued a joint statement rejecting the false choice between confronting antisemitism and upholding democracy. The organizations, which were brought together by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and include the Religious

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Person sitting outside on a sunny day, with text overlay about their student status at a rabbinical college.

Meeting the Unknown, Rabbinical Students Grow Spiritually, Help Others Through Clinical Pastoral Education

CPE is a formal, accredited method for training students of all faiths in the art of being a spiritual caregiver. These programs reflect the growing professionalization of the field and are usually offered in healthcare facilities. Chaplains, though, can serve in many settings, including retirement communities, hospices, campuses and prisons, as well in the military and with police and fire departments.

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Rabbi Steve Burnstein, wearing tallit and a kippa, strums his guitar. He appears to be in a classroom as children are looking on.

Reconstructionist Rabbi Serving Israeli Families During Wartime

Originally from Kansas, Rabbi Burnstein has lived in Israel since 1996, except for the years he spent in Philadelphia studying at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. He’s a member of Kibbutz Gezer — halfway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem — and since 2018 has been the spiritual leader of Kehilat Birkat Shalom. Affiliated with the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism, Birkat Shalom is based on the kibbutz but serves families throughout central Israel.

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The Reconstructionist Network

Serving as central organization of the Reconstructionist movement

Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis

Modeling respectful conversations on pressing Jewish issues

Curating original, Jewish rituals, and convening Jewish creatives

The Reconstructionist Network