Reconstructing Judaism

Reconstructing Judaism has always had a bold vision for the future. And this vision has paved the way for women to become b’nai mitzvah, openly LGBTQ+ rabbis to take the pulpit and Jews in interfaith relationships to express the full breadth of their Jewish selves.

Today, we invite you to carry this vision forward by becoming a monthly donor.

One-time gifts are wonderful and needed. But monthly donors — people who commit to being partners over time — they're the foundation that allows us to:

* Take courageous stances even when they're unpopular
* Create resources before people know they need them
* Plan for the future we’re building together

By choosing to become a monthly donor today, you’re claiming your role as a leader in the Jewish world.

Where we go, the world follows. Rabbi David Teutsch's newest essay for Evolve traces the many Reconstructionist innovations of the last 100 years. We all know about the bat mitzvah, but there are so many others, like giving women the right to initiate a divorce, and the idea that ethics outweighs halakhah. Time and time again, what looked controversial contemporaneously went on to become widely accepted by the Jewish world. Many of these "controversial" positions feel like common sense today. Teutsch argues this pattern isn't over, and that today's controversial stances will look the same way in hindsight. What stands out to you?

Link to the full essay:

https://loom.ly/VLdohl8

For years, the Jewish community has demanded federal action — on security funding, campus civil rights, online hate, and more. The Jewish American Security Act delivers.

We're proud to co-host a live briefing on this bipartisan legislation next Wednesday with Sen. Jacky Rosen, the bill's lead Senate author, alongside leaders from Union for Reform Judaism, Rabbinical Assembly, Orthodox Union, and Reconstructing Judaism.

The bill would raise Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding to $1 billion — protecting synagogues, Jewish community centers, and institutions across the country. It would put a dedicated antisemitism coordinator inside the Department of Education and force resolution of civil rights complaints that have languished for months. And it would require social media companies to come clean about how their platforms handle — or fail to handle — antisemitic content.

This is the kind of legislation our community has fought for. Now we need to fight to pass it.

Join us on Wednesday, June 24 from 3:45–4:45 p.m. ET to get involved in this fight.

Register here: https://act.jewishpublicaffairs.org/a/jewish-american-safety-act-briefing-featuring-sen-jacky-rosen

Hebrew Word of the Week: שֹׁרֶשׁ (shoresh) — "root"

Every Hebrew word opens a doorway.

In the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College's new Binyan Certificate program, learning begins with language — exploring roots, meanings and the rich layers of Jewish tradition carried inside each word. Hebrew isn't just a language; it's a living connection to thousands of years of history, text and identity.

This week's word is one small step into a much larger journey of discovery. We'd love for you to join us.

A few weeks ago we introduced you to Dr. Tamar Kamionkowski, Professor of Biblical Studies at Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Today she's sharing more about what makes the new Binyan Certificate in Jewish Learning and Leadership so meaningful to her. “There are so many people who are hungry for serious learning with instructors who put the learning needs of the student first.” Sound like you? Tell us in the comments what brought you to Jewish learning as an adult. And consider our new Binyan Certificate.

“Why is this day different from all other days?”

For Juneteenth, we’re sharing a powerful Ritualwell prayer, "Clap Your Hands, All You Nations: A Psalm for Juneteenth" by Rebecca S’manga Frank—an invitation to hold memory, liberation, and sacred joy together.

Read the full prayer: https://loom.ly/3davuq8

Jewish students shouldn’t have to choose between their education and their safety. Policies like Title VI enforcement through the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights help protect Jewish and all students. But they need to be supported. Learn more about a bill that will help do just that.

Join us on Wednesday, June 24 from 3:45–4:45 p.m. ET for a briefing on the Jewish American Security Act, featuring Sen. Jacky Rosen — the bill’s lead author — alongside Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) CEO Amy Spitalnick and leaders representing every major Jewish denomination.

The Jewish American Security Act directly addresses what’s happening in our schools — from K–12 schools to universities — by reinforcing the role of the Department of Education in protecting students, ensuring more data on campus hate crimes, and creating Title VI coordinators to help ensure student complaints are heard and addressed.

These are policies that the Jewish community has supported for years – because we know they work.

This event is co-hosted by the JCPA, the Union for Reform Judaism, the Rabbinical Assembly Tzedek Center and the Orthodox Union.

We hope you’ll join us — and share this with anyone who wants to turn this bill into law.

This summer, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College is hosting a speaker series as part of its Israel studies program. Last week, we were honored to welcome Huda Abdu Obaid, Executive Director of the Negev Coexistence Forum| פורום דו-קיום בנגב | منتدى التعايش السلمي في النقب (NCF).

Huda spoke with RRC students, faculty, staff and alumni about NCF's work. Rooted in Arab-Jewish cooperation, NCF advocates for justice, full civil rights, and shared society in the Negev region, including fighting for access to basic public services like electricity and public transportation for unrecognized Arab-Bedouin villages.

In recent years, NCF has worked with members of Israel's Parliament to advance Bedouin rights at the national level, with a particular focus on education and employment for Arab-Bedouin women and girls.

You can follow Negev Coexistence Forum| פורום דו-קיום בנגב | منتدى التعايش السلمي في النقب to learn more about their work.

Hebrew Word of the Week: בִּנְיָן (binyan)

In Hebrew, words are built from roots that reveal deeper layers of meaning. The word binyan means “building” or “structure,” a fitting place to begin.

The Binyan Certificate program invites learners into the richness of Hebrew language, Jewish text and interpretation, discovering how understanding is built one word at a time.

Kol hakavod to Rabbi Shawn Zevit, RRC '98, on receiving the Rabbinic Human Rights Hero Award from T'ruah!

A truly wonderful and meaningful evening in New York, honoring Rabbi Shawn as part of the ongoing critical work of T'ruah.