An Introduction to Reconstructionist Judaism (In Five Minutes or Less) 

I grew up in Los Angeles and my grandparents were Reconstructionist. The more I learned about Mordecai Kaplan the more I respected his ideas. Reconstructionism is elastic, but in a Jewish way. It's a Jewish response to reality as it is. It doesn't encourage us to hide our heads in the sand, but to meet the world head on, in a positive way, and focuses on the Havurah, the congregation, rather than just a synagogue. Now, there is nothing in Reconstructionism that forbids the building of a synagogue, contrary to what many believe about Reconstructionism, but the focus is always on the congregation. Kaplan believed it was more important that Jews celebrate Jewish traditions and live a Jewish life as part of a community. Reconstructionism always leads the way to making Jewish life more vibrant, like celebrating the first Bat Mitzvah, having women rabbis, being open to Jews of LGBTQ identities, etc. Reconstructionism is strong because it's adaptable and draws the wisdom of the ages and the enlightenment of scientific and philosophical discovery together. The Jews are a people, a culture, a religion and a civilization.

This may be incorrect, but from my brief observation of Reconstructionist vs Reform is that Reform tends to accidentally water down tradition and raise children who are not proud of the heritage (Even embarrassed.) Reconstructionism really celebrates tradition and culture and there is a joy present as well as a unique opportunity to bring together different denominations for events.

Have you ever met a third-generation Reconstructionist Jew? The Reconstructionist Rabbi in my community was married to a Gentile. It doesn't work in practice and can't hold its kids. It's sort of like Conservative Judaism without G-d. It's founder, Mordechai Kaplan, was an atheist who put on tefillin every day.

Thank you very much for this first chapter! I am looking forward to watching the next one!

This was recommended by youtube after watching What They Believe. I'd love to see this Rabbi on that series!

Very helpful. Thank you. I wish there were a Reconstructionist congregation nearby. My husband and I are trying to live our Jewish lives more meaningfully as progressives and humanists in our ever changing world. We are finding much wisdom in Reconstructionism.

Great!

I love the concept of the reocnstructionist judaism about God, tora and that the people jewish is not choose people.

Is it my imagination, or I actually saw a cross in the stained glass?

If you can reconstruct it the way you decide or see fit, what makes it Judaism? If it’s not confined to a set of rules and any behavior or belief is welcome, what deems it Judaism? Singing Hava Nageela hardly passes as an excuse for Judaism. Sacrifice for a greater cause does. This seems cheap.

When you water down something to such a degree - you lose all the taste and nutrients

I like something in place already, I like others to do the heavy thinking. Just give me the schmear and bagel, please!

Hi Sir, What do you think would happen if every generation of Jews since the time of Abraham decided to change core beliefs of the Jewish tradition? With all do respect please do not compare the taddikims tosfot (It was definitely not taken from the goyim) to the reconstructionist community. I agree with you, I believe that this generation is definitely seeking more… not different…but more depth and truth. The holy Torah gives us this by learning Chasidus. Every Jew is a part of Hashem. Every Jew is welcome and wanted it is the main Jewish value…ואהבת לרעך כמוך. I invite you to learn deeper in the Torah to understand more, what you are looking for is already here, it has been here for thousands of years. Chag Samech😊

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LOL 😂😂😂

All you said is that you have a "different way of imagining G-d and faith".. so what the hell do you really believe? 5 min of total obfuscation. You think you're so inclusive but this is one of the reasons why people look at us funny sometimes

Word salad at best. Platitudinous verbal diarrhea.