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.Statements from the Movement

In addition to endorsing and co-sponsoring numerous petitions, public letters and statements from aligned organizations, RRC/Jewish Reconstructionist Communities issues its own public statements on several issues, either alone or jointly with the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association:

Statement on Decision to End Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals program
Statement on the Har Adar Terrorist Attack
Statement on Las Vegas Shooting
Statement on Fire at URJ Camp Newman

For our previous statements, go to our Public Statements page on Jewishrecon.org.
.From the Podcast Studio
Hashivenu: Jewish Teachings on Resilience - Episode 3 is live

In August, Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., launched her new podcast called Hashivenu: Jewish teachings on resilience. We are excited to announce that Episode 3 is now live.

About Episode 3

The recent holiday of Sukkot is known as z'man simkhateynu, the season of our joy. In keeping with that theme, Rabbi Seth Goldstein joins us for a special episode on humor. Whether opening us to laughter and joy, or easing the way in difficult times, humor can be a powerful path toward resilience. Click here to listen.

If you missed the previous episodes, click here to listen to Episode 1 and Episode 2.
Spirit In Practice - Episode 3 is live

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 3

What to do when your Trump supporting parents come to visit? A feminist social justice activist seeks guidance. Support comes from three spiritual teachers: Sylvia Brown, a Buddhist ordained by Thich Nhat Hanh, Rabbi Jacob Staub, Ph.D., a scholar and teacher of Jewish spiritual direction, and Reverend Francesca Nuzzolese, a professor of Christian Pastoral Care. This episode is hosted by series creator, Rabbi Nancy Fuchs Kreimer, Ph.D.

#Trending Jewish: A Weekly Podcast about Everything – Episode 1 is live!

How does Judaism intersect with contemporary culture and illuminate how people live their lives? Hosts Rachael Burgess and Bryan Schwartzman don’t profess to have answers, just a host of questions – some profound, some rather goofy.

In this debut episode, Rachael and Bryan speak with Rabbi Leiah Lin Moser, RRC ’17, and explore the links between electronic dance music, prayer and Talmud study. In next week’s episode, Rabbi Jon Cutler, RRC ’87, describes spending three decades serving his country in the U.S. while hiding his identity as a gay man. Read his story in the Times of Israel.
.On the Horizon
Dive deeper into Israel

We are thrilled to announce the Reconstructionist movement’s upcoming Israel trip on March 7-15, 2018!  This isn’t your typical “Israel 101” trip. We will focus on art, music, and politics, delving deep into the complexity of the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Click here to learn more and to register for the trip.
Be you, Boldly

Camp Havaya (Pennsylvania) is an incredibly diverse and welcoming community where we encourage our kids to discover what being Jewish means to them—no matter who they are or where they come from. It's why so many campers call us home!

Find out more and register at CampHavaya.org.
Be You, Creatively

Havaya Arts (California) is where top-notch arts and summer camp meet. Together, we create a place where vibrant Jewish communal life enhances our art, which in turn enhances Jewish life and identity. It's where campers become the best versions of themselves.

Find out more and register at HavayaArts.org.
.Reconstructionist Voices

Picture Books Help Families Live Jewish Values

The Reconstructionist Rabbinical College & Jewish Reconstructionist Communities, along with six Reconstructionist congregations, are partnering with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation in a pilot project to bridge the gap in Jewish education between the classroom and the home.

Read the article on Jewishrecon.org.

18 Jewish Holidays: A Journey to Unexpected Places

Author and former "60 Minutes" producer Abigail Pogrebin immersed herself in the Jewish calendar for a year, interviewing rabbis and scholars to gain insight into the deeper meaning of each holiday. To reawaken your own connection to the holidays, join her Reconstructionist Learning Network this fall.

Read her interview on Jewishrecon.org.
.Innovation and Impact
Register today for the 2017-18 Reconstructionist Learning Networks!

This fall's networks include: utilizing word of mouth with Rachael Burgess, reconstructing Judaism for tomorrow led by Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., RRC '99, adopting Fair Trade principles with Ilana Schatz, finding sparkle in the Jewish calendar with author Abigail Pogrebin, and integrating social justice into our spiritual lives with Rabbi Shawn Zevit, RRC '98.

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

Are you planning your wedding? Did you recently bring home a new baby? Ever thought about how to mark a milestone anniversary? Let our Ritual Guides assist you in creating a meaningful ritual that will create memories for decades to come.
New Items in the Ritualwell Store!

Ritualwell spent the summer adding beautiful ritual items to our online store. We invite you to take a look at our store as you begin to think about gifts you may bring to your celebrations. You can find beautiful gifts and Judaica items here.
Meditation Before Accompanying a Friend Facing an ICE Deportation Hearing

At Ritualwell, we encourage rituals that are particularly relevant to our times, such as this prayer for family, friends, and activists.
Want to sell your products in the Ritualwell Store?

We welcome proposals from artists and merchants to sell their products in the online Ritualwell Store. Products should be aligned with the Ritualwell mission to enhance people’s experience of Jewish ritual. Please contact Ritualwell (ritualwell@rrc.edu) to discuss your product(s). Include a description of the product(s) you might want to sell and images or a link to view the product(s). We will let you know if we think your product would be a good fit for our store. We look forward to hearing from you!
.Upcoming Events

Reconsidering the Concept of Chosenness in a Multicultural Society
Oct. 29, 2017
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
4401 York Avenue S, Minneapolis (Linden Hills)

This program begins with Twin City debut of The Chosen People? A Film About Jewish Identity by Josh Gippin. In the film, the director interviews many Jewish scholars, including Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., RRC '99; Rabbi Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer, Ph.D., RRC '82; and Rabbi Jacob Staub, Ph.D., RRC '77.

The exchanges reveal a range of affirmations, questions, and challenges to the notion of the Jews as the chosen people. Five Reconstructionist rabbis will then lead a panel discussion around the question: After Charlottesville and Philandro Castille, does the idea of chosenness make it harder for Jews to engage in today’s critical dialogues about cultural and religious pluralism, equality and racism?

Contact Isaac Kaufman (isaackaufman1971@gmail.com; 651-238-7012) or Jeffrey Schein (utschein@gmail.com;  216-409-3813) for more information.

Global Day of Jewish Learning
Nov. 12, 2017
10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Kol Emet
Yardley, Pa.

Join us for a Global Day of Jewish Learning featuring brunch, workshops, and a keynote presentation by Lori Lefkowitz, Ph.D., on Joseph and the Character of Masculinity in Judaism and Islam. The talk will be live-streamed around the world at 11am EST. This year's theme will focus on "Beauty and Ugliness." Visit Jewishrecon.org for more details.

Plenum
Dec. 3, 2017
1 p.m. EST / 10 a.m. PST

Plenum Representatives, please expect further details from the Affiliate Support Department.
.Reconstructionists in the News

Sukkot, Intentional Insecurity, and Las Vegas (Times of Israel): Rabbi Nathan Weiner, RRC '16, connects the fragility of a sukkah to the fragility of human lives. 

How a high-ranking gay Navy chaplain retired with pride (Times of Israel): Rabbi John Cutler, RRC '87, tells the story of serving in the US Navy under DADT. 

Or Zarua Lifting Up, Shining Light on Boomer Community (Jewish Exponent): Rabbi Shelley Barnathan, RRC '15, won an RRC/JRC Auerbach Innovation Launch Grant to develop a spiritual community for baby boomers and empty nesters. 

Preparing Rabbis to be Change Agents (eJewish Philanthropy): Rabbi Sid Schwarz, RRC '80, discusses the challenges of adapting leadership practices to the 21st century. 

Living in Two Civilizations (Jeducation World): Alex Rubin, an 11-year Camp JRF alumnus, writes about joining secular American and Jewish observances together into a joyful whole. 

Congratulations to Joel Hecker on winning the Scholarship category of the 2017 Canadian Jewish Literary Award!

Innovation 101: Have 100 Coffees (Jeducation World): Cyd Weissman explores how Rabbi Shelley Barnathan, RRC '15, built a community that puts people before programs. 
Join members of other Reconstructionist congregations on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for wisdom, news and special announcements.

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Support RRC
The Jewish Reconstructionist Communities in association with the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC) provides services for more than 100 congregations and havurot where members help create the Judaism they want to live. RRC is a progressive rabbinical school­­ where people of all backgrounds engage intensively with Jewish texts, thought and practice. As a combined organization, RRC / Jewish Reconstructionist Communities make up a unique kind of entity in the contemporary Jewish landscape.
 
Email is a crucial way to stay in contact, and we appreciate your continued engagement and support of the RRC / Jewish Reconstructionist Communities. Contributions to the RRC / Jewish Reconstructionist Communities supports our faculty, underwrites scholarships and student internships, provides specialized training and mentorship opportunities, and creates unique learning experiences in Israel.  Donations to RRC help us to prepare the next generation of Jewish leaders. Click here to donate now.

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