Reconstructionist Congregation Beth Israel

09/07/2022

FREE High Holiday tickets for first time attendees. Please see important Information below to learn how to join us.

07/24/2022

A recording of Rabbi Leiah's recent talk at Temple Israel & JCC about the history and ideas of Reconstructionist Judaism, with Q&A from members of the audience and comments from members of RCBI.

Rabbi Leiah Moser giving a talk about the history and ideas of Reconstructionist Judaism at Temple Israel and JCC.

11/10/2021

Join us this Friday as we usher in Shabbat. Open to all!

10/13/2021

Friday, October 15, 7:00pm - Join RCBI for a Kabbalat Shabbat service either in RCBI's physical space or on Zoom. Temple Israel will be visiting us upstairs!

Saturday, October 16, 10:00am - Join RCBI for Shabbat morning services. All are welcome to partake of a joint Temple Israel/RCBI Kiddush after services outside on the patio.

Temple Israel/JCC COVID-19 building usage guidelines are as follows:

- Mask usage and social distancing are required
- Vaccination is required, but no proof will be requested
- No food or drink may be consumed in the building

If you wish to join us on Zoom, and are not on our email list please send an email to [email protected] for the Zoom information (meeting IDs are changed weekly for security purposes)

We hope to see you in person or virtually!

06/19/2020

Words about Juneteenth from Rabbi Sandra Lawson.

African-American liberation and the Exodus story are uniquely connected.

06/04/2020

From our Ridgewood Interfaith religious leaders group:

To Our Beloved Ridgewood Community:
Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. George Floyd. And so many more. Thousands of black and brown bodies each year are treated as expendable. Millions of black and brown lives are treated each day as lesser than. We live in a nation whose foundational sin is racism. There are hard truths with which we as a country must come to reckon.
As religious leaders, part of our work is to further justice, equality, and liberation, not only for our own congregants, but for all people. Part of our work is to call out injustice wherever we see it, and to encourage us all to move toward a world marked by love and compassion. We cannot stay silent in this moment in our shared history.
We, the undersigned religious leaders of Ridgewood, categorically condemn racially-based prejudice, oppression, violence, and murder. We condemn individual acts of racism and we condemn the systemic racism present across our nation.
We call on our white friends and neighbors to deepen your understanding of how racism works in this country, reading and educating yourselves, working to become true anti-racist allies rather than bystanders in the fight for justice. The work can be hard but we will do it together.
We affirm to our friends and neighbors of color that all of your lives are precious. We will believe you, we will work alongside you, and we will continue working with other civic leaders and law enforcement to make Ridgewood a safe and welcoming village. We will use our power however we can in order to protect your bodies, your hearts and your lives. We offer you our support, our commitment and our love.
Whatever our theology, may we be moved to work for true liberation and greater justice, inspired by life-giving love.

06/04/2020

A little musical offering in support of everyone protesting and out there working for racial justice in America. It's not on you to complete the work, but neither are we free to abandon it.

Here is an ancient teaching of Rabbi Tarfon, set to music. In honor of the protestors, as well as everyone out there fighting for racial justice and equality...

06/02/2020

Virtual Jersey Pride observance this year. Read this from Garden State Equality:

At noon on June 7, instead of kicking off our pride parade through the streets of Asbury Park, we have found a virtual way for our community to stand united. Jersey Pride, Inc. and Garden State Equality have partnered to bring you United in Pride: New Jersey's Virtual Pride Celebration!

Join us on Sunday, June 7 at 12:00 pm.

New Jersey's largest LGBTQ advocacy and education organization.

06/01/2020

One take on the conversation we started at services this weekend.

In the wake of the recent lynchings in the Black community, a lot of my Jewish friends are asking me “How can we help?”

05/21/2020

Thank you to Jewish Standard for posting our info.

The Times of Israel Partner in New Jersey