The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association (RRA), established in 1974, is the professional association of Reconstructionist rabbis.
Comprised of over 300 rabbis, the RRA has three primary missions.
RRA NEWS
As Jews, we are commanded tzedek, tzedek tirdof, to pursue justice. By enacting this bill, we can enhance integrity, fairness, and transparency in our nation's elections, create a democracy that values all voices, and build a more just society.
The Jewish Rohingya Justice Network (JRJN) condemns the military's coup in Burma (Myanmar), its brutal crackdown on peaceful protests, and the unjust detention and arrest of democratic leaders, activists, and protestors. We stand in solidarity with the Burmese people as they fight for their civil and political rights.
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association strongly oppose the plan of Keren Kayemet L'Israel / Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) to expand Jewish settlements by purchasing private land in the West Bank.
While vaccinating Jewish settlers in the West Bank, Israel's government has declined to provide doses to vaccinate the Palestinian general population in the West Bank and Gaza.
The Crane Center for Mass Atrocity Prevention and the Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council join the United Nations (UN) and numerous other human rights organizations in calling upon the government of Bangladesh to cease its plans for the relocation of Rohingya refugees to Bhasan Char.
In order to stay safely at home, people need access to water to wash their hands, cook, and drink; electricity to heat their homes through the winter, keep food and vital medicines, and charge communication devices; and broadband to be ableto complete online schooling, and work remotely.
We are thus obligated to share our concerns about ways in which the effort to combat antisemitism is being misused and exploited to instead suppress legitimate free speech, criticism of Israeli government actions, and advocacy for Palestinian rights.
Reconstructionists root ourselves in our rich Jewish legacy, drawing from its boundless well for nurturing wisdom about Jewish living and learning. At the same time, we look forthrightly at the challenges and opportunities of the moment.
As representatives of various faith communities, we believe that the current drone program runs counter to the tenets of our respective faiths and violates the values held by most Americans.
Yanshuf is a coalition of organizations and movements working together towards a clearly defined, shared goal: ending Israeli weapons exports to governments engaged in the gross violation of human rights.
We join together as leaders of faith across political, religious, and ideological differences to affirm our commitment to a free, fair, and safe election. You can learn more and sign up here.
People of faith believe in the dignity of all —and that means all. Our tradition teaches that each of us is made in the image of the divine. As such, every single person's health is paramount and unassailable. We have an obligation to care for and to protect our bodies and to ensure all others can do the same.
The 21 undersigned civil society groups, religious freedom advocates, trade unions, and Uyghur solidarity groups, urge you to act on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. This bipartisan measure is urgently needed to address the CCP's cultural genocide of Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Last fall, over 70 faith leaders signed a public statement calling for an end to Death By Incarceration in Pennsylvania. Now, we as rabbis and Jewish leaders come together to call on you to use your power as a member of the Board of Pardons to grant commutation rather than condemning people to die in prison
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined an array of interfaith groups in an amicus brief opposing mandatory attendance at religious services as a condition of parole.
RRA RABBIS IN THE WORLD
From a young age, Darby Leigh knew he was on a spiritual path. Fascinated by religion and spiritual practices, he thought about becoming a rabbi but quickly dismissed it, for one main reason: He is profoundly deaf.
Rachel Weiss, a senior rabbi at the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, said her congregation has created meaningful ways to celebrate the holiday online. Together, they'll be cooking latkes together, watching movies and lighting candles virtually.
"Celebrating a world that goes beyond inclusion, that embraces people in their unique differences, is work for all of us."
Congregation Shir Shalom in Amherst held drive-in services at the Transit Drive-In in Lockport throughout the day. The congregation's rabbi said this is a time to reflect on the past year and move towards the year ahead with greater meaning.
Goldstein has been outspoken in the congregation and in the community about the Jewish tradition to welcome the stranger. He has been a leader in navigating this situation in our community and in our congregation.
"In order to be in presence of peoples greatest senses of loss and anxiety and fear we needed a place were we could share what was authentically happening for us. We have families and anxieties too," Lesser said.
Rabbi Moti Rieber, executive director of the Kansas Interfaith Alliance, said lawmakers have avoided tackling climate change in recent years "as the situation continues to get worse. "It's frustrating beyond belief," Rieber said. "We're fiddling while the world burns."
"The American Jewish community is the story of immigration, of fleeing oppression and hardship, and seeking safety and security on these shores," Goldstein said.
At a time when the U.S. government is aggressively pushing away asylum-seekers, Kol Tzedek synagogue embraced them, providing not only emotional and legal support but also raising money for housing nearby, for food, clothing and health care. "It feels like a miracle," said Rabbi Ari Lev Fornari.
"There is a Jewish principle that you should not stand idly by, and so many of us were raised with that idea that we should speak up when there is injustice," Zimmerman said. "We really felt compelled to do so and stand with today's immigrant community."
Keynote speakers included Rabbi Rachel Weiss of Evanston's Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation. Weiss was raised in Evanston and said she is the town's first lesbian rabbi."I came back after college and my wife and I got married here in Evanston at the synagogue where I am now rabbi," Weiss said.
"We're going to gather and we're going to be loud. Not necessarily in our voices but in our messages that we're holding up," [Kindberg] said.
"You can't use a dictionary or an encyclopedia to understand the word 'concentration camp'; what you need is a calendar, because concentration camps over time turn into death camps if you don't stop them,' said Rabbi Arthur Waskow, 85, who came from Philadelphia to stand outside the doors of ICE headquarters.
"We're here today to send a message to the administration that we are not going to stay quiet... We are ready to rise up," said Blanca Pacheco, co-director of the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia, a coalition of faith-based groups that led the demonstration.