Reconstructionist Judaism

Reconstructionist Judaism is a modern Jewish movement that understands Judaism as an evolving religious civilization, shaped by Jewish people across generations.

Mordecai Kaplan: Mordecai Kaplan was an American rabbi and theologian who founded Reconstructionist Judaism. His theology and leadership gave the movement its defining framework.
Society for the Advancement of Judaism: The Society for the Advancement of Judaism is a New York congregation founded by Mordecai Kaplan in 1922. Kaplan used the congregation as an early home for experimental Jewish worship and community.
Conservative Judaism: Conservative Judaism is a Jewish movement that combines commitment to Jewish law with historical development and scholarly interpretation. Reconstructionism grew out of Conservative settings but gives communal choice a different role in shaping practice.
Reconstructionist prayer book: A Reconstructionist prayer book is a Jewish liturgical collection shaped by the movement’s theology and inclusive commitments. Revised language in prayer makes the movement’s evolving approach to tradition visible.
Jewish peoplehood: Jewish peoplehood is the idea that Jews form a collective people connected by history, culture, and shared responsibility. Kaplan treated Jewish identity as collective, not solely a matter of religious belief.
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College: The Reconstructionist Rabbinical College is a rabbinical school founded in 1968 to train Reconstructionist leaders. Its founding established an institution dedicated to educating the movement’s rabbis.
Reform Judaism: Reform Judaism is a Jewish movement that emphasizes ethical responsibility, individual autonomy, and adaptation to modern life. Both movements embrace change, but Reconstructionism foregrounds Judaism as a shared civilization.
Bat mitzvah: A bat mitzvah is a Jewish coming-of-age ceremony marking a girl's responsibilities and participation in Jewish life. Kaplan’s daughter Judith became the first girl to have a bat mitzvah ceremony in 1922.
Religious naturalism: Religious naturalism interprets religious life and experience without requiring supernatural explanations. It helps explain Kaplan’s account of God as the power that makes for salvation.
Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association: The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association is the professional organization of Reconstructionist rabbis. It represents the rabbinic body that developed alongside the movement’s congregational institutions.

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