Reconstructing Judaism

09/08/2026

Jewish ideas. Meaningful learning. A movement evolving for today.
Rooted & Relevant is the newsletter of Reconstructing Judaism, bringing you timely stories, learning opportunities, events and resources from across our movement.

09/03/2026

An early shanah tovah from all of us at Reconstructing Judaism 🍯🍎

As we step into a new year, we're stepping into a new era of leadership too, and it's one built on warmth and partnership. Rabbi Elliott Tepperman, our new President and CEO, and Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., President Emerita, share heartfelt wishes for the year ahead, and for the partnership they're building together.

09/03/2026

Mazel tov to Rabbi Alana Krivo-Kafuman, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College '26, now the Engagement Rabbi at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah - CBST! We're so excited to follow your rabbinic journey!

09/02/2026

Rosh Hashanah is approaching. How might we enter the holiday season differently this year?

Starting next week, join Rabbi Alex Weissman, RRC ’17, and Reconstructionist Rabbinical College Beit Midrash for A Time for Seeking and a Time for Losing: A Reconstructionist Approach to the Holiday Season.

Over four Tuesday evenings, we’ll move through Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Sh'mini Atzeret/Simchat Torah, exploring how these ancient traditions have been received, reread and reconstructed across generations, and what they might offer us now.

🍎 Starts Tuesday, Sept. 8
📅 Sept. 8, 15, 22 & 29
⏰ 7–8:30 p.m. EDT
💻 Online
💲118 individual registration
💲Congregational Registration: $360-$1,000*

* There are 3 suggested tiers for pricing based on congregational size. Please select what works best for your community.

No prior background is needed, just curiosity and a desire to enter the season with new questions and new ways of seeing.

There’s still time to join us.

Registration information in the comments.

09/01/2026

Big congratulations to Reconstructionist Rabbinical College '25 graduate Rabbi Lesley Pearl on her new role at Congregation Beth Hatikvah! Wishing her and the CBH community a wonderful new chapter together.

A new chapter begins at Congregation Beth Hatikvah. We are thrilled to welcome Rabbi Lesley Pearl as our new rabbi!

Rabbi Lesley joins CBH with a vision for a community centered on belonging, lifelong learning, music, service, and meaningful Jewish connection—and we couldn't be more excited for what lies ahead.

Whether you're already part of our CBH family, have been looking for a Jewish community to call home, or are simply curious to learn more, we'd love to welcome you.

Read the full announcement and get to know Rabbi Lesley → https://www.bethhatikvah.org/cbh-welcomes-rabbi-lesley-pearl

Please join us in welcoming Rabbi Lesley Pearl to Congregation Beth Hatikvah!

08/27/2026

"The opposite of antisemitism is vibrant Judaism."

In the final episode of Hashivenu, incoming president and longtime rabbi of Bnai Keshet, Montclair, NJ Rabbi Elliott Tepperman lays out the idea he and outgoing president Rabbi Deborah Waxman keep circling back to: that antisemitism works by pulling our attention away from where it should be. It's scapegoating by design.

But if all we build is a response to hate, and not a Judaism that's vibrant and powerful in its own right, what was all that energy and effort for?

After 13 years as Reconstructing Judaism president, Rabbi Waxman closes out Hashivenu with one final conversation, and a challenge for what comes next.

08/25/2026

As Rabbi Elliott Tepperman prepares to begin as president of Reconstructing Judaism this September, we’re sharing more about the leadership, values and experience he brings to this role.

For 24 years, Rabbi Tepperman served as spiritual leader of Bnai Keshet in Montclair, N.J. He has been recognized as a T’ruah Rabbinic Human Rights Hero, helped found community organizing groups including New Jersey Together and served as president of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association.

His leadership reflects a deep commitment to Jewish community, justice and a Judaism that is deeply rooted and boldly relevant.

What are you most excited to see in this next chapter?

08/25/2026

🇺🇸 This week’s Jewish Democracy action: Connect with your local election officials.

Strong relationships between communities and election officials help build trust, improve communication and strengthen local democracy.

Reach out to your local election official for a short introductory meeting. Introduce your community, learn about local election needs and ask how you can help.

Together, we can help support free, fair, safe and accessible elections.

08/24/2026

Learn with RRC Beit Midrash this September!

RRC Beit Midrash brings the learning of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College to the wider community through online courses taught by RRC faculty and leading Jewish thinkers.

This September, join Rabbi Alex Weissman, RRC ’17, for:

A Time for Seeking and a Time for Losing: A Reconstructionist Approach to the Holiday Season

The Hebrew month of Tishrei takes us through awe, repentance, freedom, harvest, uncertainty and new beginnings. Over four sessions, we’ll explore the ancient roots and new growth of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Sh'mini Atzeret/Simchat Torah, tracing how these traditions have been received, reread and remade across time and space.

📅 Tuesdays: Sept. 8, 15, 22 & 29
⏰ 7–8:30 p.m. EDT
💻 Online
💲 Individual registration: $118
🏠 Congregational registration: $360, with unlimited enrollment for members of affiliated communities

No prior background is needed, just curiosity about how ancient words keep finding new mouths.

08/21/2026

Very proud of Rabbi Armin Langer, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College class of 2022, now doing great work at Congregation Shir Hadash (Milwaukee). Rabbi Langer's reflection on giving kids the confidence to stand proudly in their Jewish identities while engaging the world with openness and hope is worth your time as the school year kicks off.

As another school year begins, Jewish families are preparing for more than the first day of class. They are also asking what kind of people they hope their children will become. In a society shaped by religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity, one answer is increasingly important: we must cultivate....