Reconstructionist Values, Covenantal Community and War in the Middle East

About this Episode

In preparation for Reconstructing Judaism’s December 15 movement-wide virtual convening, Rabbi Elliott Tepperman and Rabbi Rachel Weiss join Rabbi Deborah Waxman for a deeply thoughtful and nuanced conversation about the difficult and rewarding work of maintaining unity within Jewish communities that sometimes have diverse views on Israel and Palestine and the War in Gaza. Their reflections on how to cultivate spaces of growth, respect and accountability within the synagogue offer a blueprint for creating Jewish communities that are there for us during moments of joy and celebration as well as times of mourning and crisis.

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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.

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Episode Links

• Learn more about and register for Reconstructing Judaism's 12/15 event
• Reconstructing Judaism’s Convention, B’Yachad, is coming to Philadelphia in 2026
• Read JRC's Covenant of Speech
• Clip from 2022 Convention: Rabbi Elliott Tepperman on creating a community of belonging that includes people even when they step out of line
• Watch the full "Creating Inclusive Community" panel from Reconstructing Judaism's 2022 Convention
• How Rabbi Rachel Weiss and the JRC approach talking about Israel and Palestine in their community
• Rabbi Elliott Tepperman: Bringing a Community-Organizing Model to the Pulpit
• Explore Evolve's essays about Israel and Palestine
• From Evolve: A Septet of Diverse Reflections on the Year Since October 7
• New from Ritualwell, "A Jerusalem Afternoon in Wartime" by Haviva Ner-David
• Explore these poems, prayers and resources from Ritualwell that address communal tragedy. — "When one of us hurts, others are there to offer comfort..."