Reconstructionist Judaism

The smallest and youngest of the major Jewish denominations in North America, founded by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan in the 1920s-1940s. Reconstructionism views Judaism as an evolving religious civilization and emphasizes communal decision-making, egalitarianism, and reinterpretation of tradition for contemporary life.

Core Beliefs

Judaism as Evolving Civilization

Reconstructionism’s foundational principle, articulated by Kaplan, is that Judaism is not just a religion but a comprehensive civilization encompassing culture, language, ethics, history, and peoplehood that evolves over time.

God as Process or Power

Reconstructionists reinterpret traditional God-language. Rather than a supernatural being, God is understood as the power or process in the universe that makes for salvation, justice, and meaning. Kaplan called this “transnatural” rather than supernatural.

Torah as Human Creation

The Torah is a human document reflecting the Jewish people’s evolving understanding of God and ethics. It is authoritative because of its communal significance, not divine authorship.

Democratization of Judaism

Religious authority resides in the community, not rabbis or texts alone. Congregations make collective decisions about practice and belief through democratic processes.

Chosenness Reinterpreted

Kaplan rejected the concept of Jews as God’s chosen people as ethnocentric. Instead, Reconstructionists speak of Jews as having a particular vocation or purpose among the nations.

Historical Development

• 1922 - Mordecai Kaplan’s Judaism as a Civilization outlines foundational ideas
• 1934 - Kaplan founds Society for the Advancement of Judaism
• 1935 - Publication of Judaism as a Civilization
• 1940 - First Reconstructionist prayer book published
• 1968 - Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC) founded in Philadelphia
• 1968 - Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association formed
• 1974 - Sandy Eisenberg Sasso becomes first woman rabbi ordained by RRC
• 2015 - Merger discussions with Reform movement (did not proceed)

Core Positions

Radical Egalitarianism

From its inception, Reconstructionism has championed full equality for women. It was the first movement to ordain openly LGBTQ+ rabbis and perform same-sex commitment ceremonies (later marriages).

Communal Autonomy

Each Reconstructionist community determines its own practices. There is no central halakhic authority; communities decide democratically what traditions to observe and how.

Inclusion and Diversity

Reconstructionism actively welcomes interfaith families, patrilineal Jews, Jews of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Inclusion is a core value.

Tikkun Olam

Like Reform, Reconstructionism emphasizes social justice as central to Jewish identity and practice.

Practices

Worship

Services use Hebrew alongside vernacular, with liturgy revised to reflect Reconstructionist theology (gender-neutral language, naturalistic God-language, removal of chosenness themes). Music and participatory worship encouraged.

Observance

Reconstructionists view rituals and traditions as “folkways”—valuable for their cultural and communal meaning rather than divine commandment. Individuals and communities choose which to observe based on personal and communal significance.

Sabbath and Holidays

Shabbat and festivals celebrated, with communities deciding observance norms democratically. Emphasis on meaning and community rather than halakhic obligation.

Life Cycle

Bar/bat mitzvah, weddings, and other lifecycle events adapted for egalitarianism and contemporary sensibilities. Innovations include bat mitzvah for girls (Kaplan’s daughter Judith had the first in 1922).

Institutions

• Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC) - Seminary in Wyncote, Pennsylvania
• Reconstructing Judaism - Umbrella organization for movement
• Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association (RRA) - Rabbinic organization

Geographic Distribution

Reconstructionism is primarily a North American movement, concentrated in the United States (especially Mid-Atlantic and California). It has approximately 100 affiliated congregations and represents less than 5% of American Jews.

Theological Diversity

While united by Kaplan’s basic framework, Reconstructionist communities and individuals hold diverse theological views, from naturalism to mysticism. The movement embraces this diversity as consistent with Judaism’s evolving nature.

Relation to Other Jewish Movements

Reconstructionism emerged from Conservative Judaism but developed more radical theological positions. It shares Reform’s progressive politics and autonomy but places greater emphasis on tradition as folkways and communal civilization. Orthodox and many Conservative Jews reject Reconstructionism’s naturalistic theology and denial of divine revelation. Reconstructionism’s small size and radical positions make it distinctive but also marginal within the Jewish world. Its innovations in egalitarianism and inclusion have influenced larger movements.