A RABBI IN RECONLAND –REPORT from B’YACHAD: RECONSTRUCTING JUDAISM TOGETHER
There were no rabbit holes, but it did indeed feel as though I had traveled to a strange and different world, in some ways that were utterly wonderful, and others that were eerie.
Two conventions back-to-back – the first for members of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, and the second for the Reconstructionist movement as a whole – took place March 22 through 27. It had been four years since the last set of “biennial” conventions. Almost every conversation included words from the following vocabulary list: overwhelmed, wonderful, weird, wow, and hugs or no hugs.
It was thrilling to see so many of my dear colleagues the first two days, especially knowing that on the first day of the full convention, the RRC classes of 95 and ’96 would be receiving our Doctor of Divinity honoris causa. The honor is one of esteem for those graduates who have served in their rabbinates for 25 years, and by great good fortunate, two other honours were being bestowed at the ceremony, for two of my greatest friends and teachers upon their retirement from the college, Rabbis Mordechai Liebling and Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer.
In keeping with our college’s approach to all our academic convocations, the ceremony was filled with personal messages and meaningful blessings. And what a thrill to be with my old pals; we are truly scattered across the globe, from Canada to Denmark and Israel and across the entire US.
The theme of the rabbis’ gathering was Shavat Vayinafash – rest and re-ensoulment. We were beautifully led and taught by each other, inspired not only by the wisdom of our vatikim or “senior” colleagues, but by the talents and energy of the most recent graduates, whom we honoured at our own special event.
Thursday through Sunday was jam-packed with workshops, plenary session, services and other activities, including a vendors fair. It was most amusing to pass by the display created by the SAJ to mark the “original” Reconstructionist synagogue’s 100th anniversary.
There were other anniversaries being celebrated, notably the 20th year of both Ritualwell and Camp Havaya. Two of the camp’s directors, its current leader and his predecessor, Rabbis Isaac Saposnik and Jeffrey Eisenstat respectively, together led a rousing Kabbalat Shabbat, infused with the spirit of shabbats at camp. The Shabbat morning services were practically ecstatic, a culmination of the smaller services throughout the week, and I sank into the vibrations of the voices and the harmonies.
As a veteran of over 30 years of conventions, including serving on staff, on the planning committee, as service and workshop leaders, I was given the opportunity to prepare some offerings that were deeply meaningful to me. On Shabbat afternoon, in honour of Judith Kaplan Eisenstein, I led a panel exploring the Evolution of Jewish Music in the Reconstructionist Context, and then in the evening, emceed a celebration of music that spanned from Kaplan Eisenstein to the newest video creation of Solomon Hoffman (RRC ’24). In between, the ApiChorus sang again – the student choir I created back in the ‘90s that performed at so many college and movement events, offering the creative new settings of prayer and liturgy, along with classics from the choral repertoire.
I realize that nothing I can put in writing can convey the excitement generated from being with so many other folks from all over steeped in living a Jewish life, and building a better world, infused with the progressive values and creative approaches of Reconstructionism. Take a peek at the video and audio offerings https://www.youtube.com/c/reconstructingjudaism, dip into the rich resources at https://evolve.reconstructingjudaism.org/ and https://ritualwell.org, sign up for the weekly Shabbat box - https://reconstructingjudaism.us6.list manage.com/subscribe?u=e8dc2f2d9405f4a028431548a&id=86482ec089
I celebrate, and am so grateful for, our movement. It is wildly, successfully living up to its name and logo phrases: Reconstructing Judaism. Deeply Rooted. Boldy Relevant.
Rabbi Liz
