Hashivenu is a podcast about Jewish teachings and practice around resilience. Cultivating resilience, both individually and collectively, is an essential path to personal and communal renewal.

About Episode 4

According to Rabbi Shefa Gold, “Chant is the bridge between the inner life and the outer expression; between the solitary practice and the shared beauty of fellowship.” She has set verses from Jewish liturgy and from the Hebrew Bible to chants that are both beautiful and meditative.  This episode explores how the ancient practice of chanting can cultivate renewal while bringing traditional liturgy to life. Click here to listen.

If you missed the previous episodes, click here to listen to Episode 1: Shabbat, Episode 2: Teshuvah and Forgiveness and Episode 3: Humor.

Spirit in Practice is a podcast miniseries that explores answers to the question: "Do you wonder how you can show up for these challenging times with compassion, courage, equanimity and joy?"

About Episode 4

A young rabbi wonders how he and his partner might cultivate and nurture spiritual values as they raise their young children. Three religious leaders—Presbyterian minister Bill Borror, Reconstructionist Rabbi Vivie Mayer and Muslim Scholar Homayra Ziad—offer their wisdom as parents and grandparents.

#Trending Jewish: A Weekly Podcast about Everything – Episode 2 is live!

About Episode 2

What was Navy life like under the "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy? How did it change when that policy ended? Find out from Rabbi Jon Cutler, a 32-year U.S. Navy veteran who lived through it!

Click here to listen to Episode 2.

The Chosen People? A Film about Jewish Identity

Josh Gippin’s recent documentary, The Chosen People? A Film about Jewish Identity, provides a nuanced and balanced exploration of the concept of “chosenness” as it has evolved from biblical to contemporary times. The film features interviews with the president of RRC, Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., RRC ’99, as well as faculty members Rabbi Jacob Staub, Ph.D, RRC ’77, and Rabbi Nancy Fuchs Kreimer, Ph.D., RRC ’82.

Click here to read more about the film.

A "Week of Fire" for Ner Shalom

Ner Shalom, a Reconstructionist congregation in Cotati, Calif., was hit hard by the October wildfires that devastated parts of Northern California. Congregation Ner Shalom came together to celebrate Simchat Torah, sheltered families who lost their homes in the fire, and connected congregants with trauma counseling services.

Click here to donate to Ner Shalom or read Reb Irwin Keller's beautiful drash about catastrophe, community and healing. 

Explore the crucial questions of Jewish life that just can’t be Googled. We have another set of Reconstructionist Learning Networks starting in November:  

• Innovation: Rev Your Engines
• Executive Directors
• Reconstructing for Tomorrow

Discover more and register here. For more details, contact Cyd Weissman or Shosh Lovett-Graff, or call 215.576.0800 ext 124.

How to Avoid Startup Crash and Burn

Avi Rubel, co-CEO of the incredibly successful startup Honeymoon Israel, discussed his advice for startup leaders with Cyd Weissman: take something that already works and apply it in a new, creative way. Click here to read the article. 

At Ritualwell, we acknowledge and bear witness to all of the people who are answering to the #MeToo campaign. We strive to have rituals, poems and ceremonies which are relevant to the issues of our day. Here is a new piece by Devon Spier titled Me Too: A Jewish Response to Abuse.

In addition to rituals for life events, Ritualwell features pieces who serve as companions to our weekly Torah portions. Ariana Katz, RRC '18, recently wrote a blog inspired by Parshat Noah which meditates on creation and the body. Click here to read My Body is an Ark.