Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

Register online for the Chesapeake JRF Afternoon of Honor on March 18th at Savage Mill.

This year we will be presenting special honors to Alice and Frank Pearlman from Mishkan Torah in Greenbelt, who have served on our regional council since its inception in the early 90s, Allen Berkowitz, our past Regional Vice President, and all our active regional rabbis including Rabbi Leila Gal Berner, Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton, Rabbi Jonathan Cohen, Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, Rabbi George Driesen, Rabbi Gary Fink, Rabbi Douglas Heifetz, Rabbi Ilyse Kramer, Rabbi Sidney Schwarz, and Rabbi Ruth Smith.

Rabbi Leila BernerRegister Online Now

Where: Perlstein Resort in the Wisconsin Dells.

Theme: Tales Through Jewish Time: The stories that shape our lives. Featuring: Creative services, music, storytelling, free time, hiking, Torah study and much more...

Cost: $300, including room and board.

Scholar-in-Residence: Rabbi Leila Gal Berner is a graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and holds a Ph.D. in Medieval Jewish History.

On April 27 - 29, 2007, 8th - 12th graders from JRF congregations across North America will have the opportunity to attend the exciting No’ar Hadash North American Teen Kallah on the Aaron and Marjorie Ziegelman Campus of Camp JRF. Our theme for this kallah is “As The World Turns” and we have a wonderful group of teen va’ad (leadership council) members who will be developing an amazing retreat weekend. This is a great opportunity to meet other Reconstructionist teens, have fun, take part in experiential Jewish learning, sing and dance, hang out, and be part of our exciting youth movement. And, all of this will be in the Pocono Mountains, on the beautiful Aaron and Marjorie Ziegelman Campus of Camp JRF! Get more information or download a registration form below and sign up today!

Rabbi Leila BernerRegister Online Now

Where: Perlstein Resort in the Wisconsin Dells.

Theme: Tales Through Jewish Time: The stories that shape our lives. Featuring: Creative services, music, storytelling, free time, hiking, Torah study and much more...

Cost: $300, including room and board.

Scholar-in-Residence: Rabbi Leila Gal Berner is a graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and holds a Ph.D. in Medieval Jewish History.

On April 27 - 29, 2007, 8th - 12th graders from JRF congregations across North America will have the opportunity to attend the exciting No’ar Hadash North American Teen Kallah on the Aaron and Marjorie Ziegelman Campus of Camp JRF. Our theme for this kallah is “As The World Turns” and we have a wonderful group of teen va’ad (leadership council) members who will be developing an amazing retreat weekend. This is a great opportunity to meet other Reconstructionist teens, have fun, take part in experiential Jewish learning, sing and dance, hang out, and be part of our exciting youth movement. And, all of this will be in the Pocono Mountains, on the beautiful Aaron and Marjorie Ziegelman Campus of Camp JRF! Get more information or download a registration form below and sign up today!

Rabbi Leila BernerRegister Online Now

Where: Perlstein Resort in the Wisconsin Dells.

Theme: Tales Through Jewish Time: The stories that shape our lives. Featuring: Creative services, music, storytelling, free time, hiking, Torah study and much more...

Cost: $300, including room and board.

Scholar-in-Residence: Rabbi Leila Gal Berner is a graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and holds a Ph.D. in Medieval Jewish History.

On April 27 - 29, 2007, 8th - 12th graders from JRF congregations across North America will have the opportunity to attend the exciting No’ar Hadash North American Teen Kallah on the Aaron and Marjorie Ziegelman Campus of Camp JRF. Our theme for this kallah is “As The World Turns” and we have a wonderful group of teen va’ad (leadership council) members who will be developing an amazing retreat weekend. This is a great opportunity to meet other Reconstructionist teens, have fun, take part in experiential Jewish learning, sing and dance, hang out, and be part of our exciting youth movement. And, all of this will be in the Pocono Mountains, on the beautiful Aaron and Marjorie Ziegelman Campus of Camp JRF! Get more information or download a registration form below and sign up today!

Congregation Shir Hadash Celebrates Chai Year With Gala

On Saturday evening, May 19, Shir Hadash will celebrate its eighteenth year together. The highlight of the gala will be a celebration of all of its past presidents. In addition, Milwaukee’s own chanteuse, Robin Pleur, backed up by “Mrs. Fun” and clarinetist, Julie Wood, will entertain us as only they can. Those attending will also be able to participate in raffles for a trip to Eilat, Israel, Steam Boat Springs, Colorado, and twelve gift certificates for dinners at some of Milwaukee’s best restaurants.

The celebration will take place at the North Shore Country Club, 3100 W. Country Club Dr. 106 N, Mequon, WI. Sit down dinner included in the $75.00 ticket price.

Contact Eve Eiseman, at saftaeve@wi.rr.com, or 262-238-1542 for more information

Jewish Community Unites to End Hunger Logo

On June 11, at 6:30 P.M. thousands of people of all faiths and backgrounds will gather at the Washington National Cathedral for the second Interfaith Convocation on hunger. We will raise our voices as one and work together to end hunger throughout the United States and the world.

A pre-Convocation gathering of the Jewish community is happening at 5:00 P.M. at Temple Michah, 2829 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20007.

Let’s communicate that we care as Reconstructionists by attending in large numbers. JRF's Rabbi Shawn Zevit will be leading the Reconstructionist delegation.

Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation
190 Camp Hill Road
Fort Washington, PA 19034
(215) 283-0276

Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Ft. Washington, PA is one of a thousand congregations across the country to receive a DVD of this important film discussing torture at Abu Ghraib prison and other human rights issues.

The film will be shown at the synagogue Saturday, October 13 at 7:30 pm. For more information please call the synagogue office at (215) 283-0276.

“Death Comes For The Rabbi – An Afternoon of Listening and Learning”

KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation
1100 East Hyde Park Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60615-2810

Come and participate in an unprecedented event combining music and Jewish text study. In a trans-denominational Community Beit Midrash (Study Hall), with Reconstructionist, Reform, Orthodox and Conservative teachers, we will encounter Yehoshua ben Levi, the rabbi who became dead without dying. We will experience Rabbi Yehoshua’s struggle with the Angel of Death both through a Talmudic text (Ketubot 77b) and through a live performance, by the Millennium Chamber Players, of “Floodway,” a piece based on that text written by the renowned contemporary Israeli-American composer Amnon Wolman, who will join us for the afternoon.

This program is free of charge, thanks to the generosity of a number of organizations and individual donors. Child care will be available. Refreshments will be served. For more information, please call Dan Cedarbaum at 847-492-5200.

Program sponsored by:
KAM ISAIAH ISRAEL CONGREGATION
THE JEWISH RECONSTRUCTIONIST FEDERATION
THE NEWBERGER HILLEL CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
THE CHICAGO BOARD OF RABBIS

Download and print the event flyer, available as an attachment . . . help spread the word!

A Taste of Judaism
Exploring Jewish life in three welcoming classes

Congregation Beth Israel of Media, PA, announced today that Rabbi Linda Potemken will lead the innovative “A Taste of Judaism” program at the synagogue, starting on October 23rd from 7:30 to 9:30 PM. A Taste of Judaism is a free, three-session class for adults who would like to explore the Jewish perspective on spirituality, values and community in an atmosphere that encourages free and lively discussion of Judaism’s approach to living in our rapidly changing society. Over the last few years the program has been enjoyed by tens of thousands at synagogues across the country. Affiliated and non-affiliated Jews are welcome to attend, as well as non-Jews who are seeking a closer relationship with Judaism, interfaith couples, children of interfaith couples and parents and grandparents of interfaith couples.

The public is encouraged to call Congregation Beth Israel (610) 566-4645, or write to info@bethisraelmedia.org to sign up for the free “A Taste of Judaism” sessions, which will be held on October 23, October 30 and November 6, at the synagogue, located at 542 S. New Middletown Road, Media, PA.

Rabbi Marcia Prager and Cantor Jack Kessler: In Madson, WI November 2-4, 2007Congregation Shaarei Shamayim in Madison, WI is pleased to announce that Rabbi Marcia Prager and Hazzan Jack Kessler will be leading a joyous, soulful weekend November 2-4, in Madison. All JRF members are invited to Join Shaarei Shamayim in an inspirational Shabbat of singing, learning, and exploring together in community.

Rabbi Prager is a vibrant Reconstructionist/ Jewish Renewal teacher, storyteller, artist, and therapist. She is the author of the book, The Path of Blessing, an exploration of the profound spiritual wisdom that lies in the Jewish practice of blessing. She is also the creator of The Weekday Amidah in Guided Imagery, a deck of 20 exquisitely hand illustrated cards which use guided meditations through the transformative blessings of this ancient prayer practice.

Hazzan Kessler is a traditionally trained cantor and director of two Jewish music ensembles. He has been described as a one-man force of nature in Jewish music. His most recent CD is Blue Suede Jews, featuring The Klingon Klezmers. A lyric baritone, he has performed opera, oratorio, and premiered new works, in addition to his ongoing career as a singer of Hazzanut, the sacred cantorial art. He is the dean of the Cantorial department of the professional framing program of ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal.

For more information and to register, please contact Celeste at shabbaton@shamayim.org

Musicians Attending the JRF Women's Retreat in Wisconsin in April, 2007
The First Retreat of Harmoniyah—Reconstructionist Music Network will be held November 9-12, 2007, in Philadelphia, PA.

Saturday and Sunday 8pm evening events are open to the general public at a nominal charge- register in advance using the registration same registration link below:

Space is limited: Register Online Now.

Join us for Shabbat services and a unique opportunity to learn with Reconstructionist clergy, lay leaders, song leaders and musicians nationwide:

Musicians Attending the JRF Women's Retreat in Wisconsin in April, 2007
The First Retreat of Harmoniyah—Reconstructionist Music Network will be held November 9-12, 2007, in Philadelphia, PA.

Saturday and Sunday 8pm evening events are open to the general public at a nominal charge- register in advance using the registration same registration link below:

Space is limited: Register Online Now.

Join us for Shabbat services and a unique opportunity to learn with Reconstructionist clergy, lay leaders, song leaders and musicians nationwide:

Musicians Attending the JRF Women's Retreat in Wisconsin in April, 2007
The First Retreat of Harmoniyah—Reconstructionist Music Network will be held November 9-12, 2007, in Philadelphia, PA.

Saturday and Sunday 8pm evening events are open to the general public at a nominal charge- register in advance using the registration same registration link below:

Space is limited: Register Online Now.

Join us for Shabbat services and a unique opportunity to learn with Reconstructionist clergy, lay leaders, song leaders and musicians nationwide:

Reconstructionist Education Directors
It's time for our RENA retreat!

Register now! [Note: on the registration form you do NOT need a "Sporg user profile" to register.]

Where: Congregation Or Hadash outside Philadelphia

When: Sunday night through Tuesday afternoon, November 11-13, 2007

Why: To give Reconstructionist Education Directors a chance to share ideas, interact with each other, and learn about infusing informal and formal education into our religious schools.

Musicians Attending the JRF Women's Retreat in Wisconsin in April, 2007
The First Retreat of Harmoniyah—Reconstructionist Music Network will be held November 9-12, 2007, in Philadelphia, PA.

Saturday and Sunday 8pm evening events are open to the general public at a nominal charge- register in advance using the registration same registration link below:

Space is limited: Register Online Now.

Join us for Shabbat services and a unique opportunity to learn with Reconstructionist clergy, lay leaders, song leaders and musicians nationwide:

Reconstructionist Education Directors
It's time for our RENA retreat!

Register now! [Note: on the registration form you do NOT need a "Sporg user profile" to register.]

Where: Congregation Or Hadash outside Philadelphia

When: Sunday night through Tuesday afternoon, November 11-13, 2007

Why: To give Reconstructionist Education Directors a chance to share ideas, interact with each other, and learn about infusing informal and formal education into our religious schools.

Reconstructionist Education Directors
It's time for our RENA retreat!

Register now! [Note: on the registration form you do NOT need a "Sporg user profile" to register.]

Where: Congregation Or Hadash outside Philadelphia

When: Sunday night through Tuesday afternoon, November 11-13, 2007

Why: To give Reconstructionist Education Directors a chance to share ideas, interact with each other, and learn about infusing informal and formal education into our religious schools.

The Society for the Advancement of Judaism is offering two courses to the public:

"Judaism: Between Theology and Praxis"
Does Judaism demand belief? Many Jews, from lay people to scholars, believe that a basic distinction between Judaism and Christianity is that Judaism is concerned with action rather than belief. This course will examine key moments in the development of this widely shared bias, focusing on political as well as theological reasons why modern thinkers have emphasized "doing" over "believing".

Wednesdays, Nov. 28; Dec. 5, 12 and 19 at 7:30 pm

"The Feminist Reinvention of Jewish Ritual"

Tuesdays, March 4, 11, 25, April 1, 8 at 7:30 pm

For more information, call (212) 724-7000.

Save the date: Dec. 14-16, Capital Camps, Waynesboro, PA
The theme of this year's Chesapeake Regional Shabbaton is "Prayer, Spirituality and Expressions of Prayer through Reconstructionist Eyes." There will be adult, family and childrens' programming and a concurrent No'ar Hadash Teen Kallah for students in grade 8 and above.

For more information, contact Jackie Land, JRF Chesapeake regional director, at jljrf@aol.com.

Save the date: Dec. 14-16, Capital Camps, Waynesboro, PA
The theme of this year's Chesapeake Regional Shabbaton is "Prayer, Spirituality and Expressions of Prayer through Reconstructionist Eyes." There will be adult, family and childrens' programming and a concurrent No'ar Hadash Teen Kallah for students in grade 8 and above.

For more information, contact Jackie Land, JRF Chesapeake regional director, at jljrf@aol.com.

Save the date: Dec. 14-16, Capital Camps, Waynesboro, PA
The theme of this year's Chesapeake Regional Shabbaton is "Prayer, Spirituality and Expressions of Prayer through Reconstructionist Eyes." There will be adult, family and childrens' programming and a concurrent No'ar Hadash Teen Kallah for students in grade 8 and above.

For more information, contact Jackie Land, JRF Chesapeake regional director, at jljrf@aol.com.