Reconstructionist Judaism (Re-) Vistied - July 25, 2008
“Reconstructionist Judaism (Re-) Visited” – 7-25-08
Rabbi Mark S. Kram, Temple Beth Or, Miami, FL
A couple of weeks ago, I told you that when friends heard I was going to Beth Or, a Reconstructionist congregation, they often asked, “So what is Reconstructionist Judaism?” My response, “I will let you know, when I know.”
And, in point of fact, many Jews don’t really know what Reconstructionist Judaism stands for. Some may not have even heard the name! Usually the response I get in mentioning my new position is a shriveled up nose, quizzical look on their face, and tilting their head as if to hear better.
P.S. – Don’t tell anyone – when I interviewed for this position, many of you weren’t exactly sure either!
So I’ve decided that we need to come out of the closet, so to speak, and open ourselves again to our own traditions, take a new look, and re-visit the core ideas in Reconstructionist, and be the authentically unique R congregation that in so many ways we already are!
So, what are we? Well, we’re small; we know each other; everyone is an important part of our community if only b/c we’re so small. We’re hands-on: we sing in the choir, fix up the place – inside and out; high and low-tech; and we CARE for each other. You even sing at services!!!! And believe it or not THAT IS NO SMALL FEAT in a liberal congregation today where services are often treated as a “spectator sport”. You call me with suggestions – are certainly not apprehensive about speaking your mind. And best of all – YOU OWN BETH OR – it’s yours – you show that every day. In fact, that is a big part of why I was so attracted to Beth Or. This is an amazing place!!!
Does that make us Reconstructionist? I suppose partly. The democracy of our movement dictates that, which you have absorbed into your genes. Reconstructionist Judaism is a bottom-up approach, encouraging ownership and partnership between rabbis and volunteers in every way.
But to be authentically Reconstructionist we should take a new look now. Why? (PAUSE) (First, because we’re starting fresh. Beth Or has a great past, a solid foundation, and I believe an exciting future.) And more! Last night I told a member that there was good reason to re-visit the fundamentals now b/c while there are plenty of liberal congregations in our area – there is only ONE Reconstructionist congregation! And therefore, we should be as genuinely Reconstructionist as we can be!
So, it’s time to go back to school: & over the next several months, we will explore Reconstructionist Judaism’s tenets and the directions Beth Or has taken and may take, as we move forward towards a new time in the life of our congregation. As I said – there IS room in South Dade and Miami for us. I believe with all my heart that we also have something powerful to add to the mix of Jewish life here in Miami, in addition to being different and small and close. We should be challenged by our Reconstructionist religious roots.
But before that, I want to share with you a “neighborhood walk” – describing possible scenarios to give you a taste of what distinguishes Reconstructionism from O, C or Ref Judaism. What if we had a glimpse into 4 different Jewish households one Friday night to see how their customs or traditions are observed. What is the same, and what is different or special – unique? Let’s pick a tradition – let’s say challah.
Does anybody watche the Food Network? I love it. And I’ve decided that I want to have a “Throwdown” with Bobby Flay. A Challah Throwdown. I’m not sure whether I’ll make raisin or chocolate chip challah (certainly not plain)? But I think Mindy and I would have a good chance against this Iron Chef.
You see in our home, either Mindy or I make challah every Thursday night. (OK last night, we didn’t b/c we had one already made in the freezer!)
We don’t feel that it’s a commandment – I never believed that God dictated 613 positive and negative commandments – the Jewish “do’s and don’ts”. For me it’s about hidur mitzvah – enhancing the entire experience of Shabbat by investing in preparation for the day.
What kind of challah would Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or Reconstructionist Jews eat on Shabbat? That might give us a sense of the way in which we Jews differ from each other?
Peering through the window into the Orthodox home, we would see a beautiful yellow braided challah – either with sesame or poppy seeds, or plain. Why? Because it is customary to eat yellow braided challah at his Friday night table each week. Tradition/custom is very strong in the Orthodox community, and it just wouldn’t feel like Shabbas if there was a different challah at the table. Their challah would be placed on a simple wooden board made in Israel.
Next door, wishing to retain the tradition, the Conservative family also knows about this custom and feels that it is important to retain the custom and have yellow braided challah too. Their Shabbat looks very similar to their Orth neighbor. But at blessing time, they change the tune to a USY or Ramah camp song reflecting their understanding of retaining traditions with the belief that mitzvot come from the people. This challah would also sit on a wood board from Israel.
Two Reform households would be visited: at the first, the traditional challah had been replaced by garlic bread or Naan as a “change up” reflecting the need for the bread at the table for blessing, and the concomitant need for change. The second home, where tradition is increasingly being adopted, they eat yellow braided raisins challah. This challah would be placed on a blown-glass challah plate that either grandma brought back from her visit to Israel last summer or their college student on birthright Israel.
Finally, looking through the windows of the Reconstructionist home, challah is on the table because “that’s what Jews do”! However, Reconstructionist challah would convey a consciousness of our health. Reconstructionist challah would be multi-grain & nut w/ cranberries, made after yoga class! Where would Reconstructionist challah sit? Of course on a piece of hand-made wood made from a fallen tree on the property carved by new immigrants to the U.S.!
So what does this story have to do with Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan’s Reconstructionist Judaism?
Let’s take Kaplan’s first point, defining Reconstructionist as the Evolving Religious Civilization of the Jewish People. Three important parts – what do each mean for us?
- Evolving: Reconstructionists recognize that each generation of Jews has subtly reshaped the faith and traditions of the Jewish people. Each succeeding generation has given new meaning to Judaism and Jewish customs. However, Reconstructionist Jews seek to nurture this evolution, and consider it the power that allows Judaism to continue as a dynamic tradition in every age. Reconstructionism is a “bottom-up” (rather than “top-down”) approach to Judaism. Reconstructionist begins with the experiences of the Jewish people. Reconstructionist speaks less of revelation (from God) and more of discovery (by us!). It emphasizes connection, opportunity and responsibility over commandment. And infusing contemporary meaning into an age-old custom (challah) “fills the old skin with the new wine.” We evolve, not rebel, or reject rituals, but invest them with new meaning. Multi-grain & nut challah (I don’t know how it would taste!?) reminds us of our health concerns today.
- By “religious” we mean that Judaism is the means by which we conduct our search for ultimate meaning in life. God is the source of meaning. (But more on God on another Shabbat).
- And by “Civilization” we mean that Judaism is more than a religion: we share historical memory and historical destiny; a commitment to our ancient homeland and language; a love for Jewish culture, Jewish morality and Jewish philosophy; we are heirs to a rich legacy of literary and artistic achievement, a legacy which continues to grow in our day. We characterize a civilization by beliefs and practices, language, culture, literature, ethics, art, history, social organization, symbols, and customs. M. Kaplan promoted the notion of a synagogue-center that offered religious prayer services as well as study programs, drama, dance, song, sports and exercise.
So an Evolving Religious Civilization reflects God’s part in our own evolving as both a religious people with wide and broad secular influence and impact!
Which leaves me hungry after all that talk of challah. May we renew our explorations to find even more meaning in our Beth Or lives. AMEN