Exploring Judaism: A Reconstructionist Approach

The Reconstructionist movement is both the newest and the smallest of the modern American Jewish movements, but its influence has been tremendous. Mordecai Kaplan, its founder, conceived of Judaism as an evolving religious civilization (more than simply a religion) and of God as a process or transcendant power (not a supernatural being). These ideas led him to a conception of Judaism that respects and honors the past while transforming it to provide a modern expression of traditional Jewish values. Although Kaplan ended up founding a new movement, he spent most of his life (until his retirement at age 82) teaching and writing at the Conservative movement's Jewish Theological Seminary, and it is apparent from Neil Gillman's book "Conservative Judaism: The New Century" and from the Conservative Statement of Principles "Emet ve-Emunah" (which expressly allows for Kaplan's conception of God) that Kaplan had a huge impact on the intellectual leaders of the Conservative movement. Reform's recent trend toward more traditional practice is surely also at least partly a recognition that Kaplan was right to emphasize continuity with the past even while acknowledging the necessity of modernization.In "Exploring Judaism," Rabbis Alpert and Staub provide a brief introduction to Reconstructionist belief and practice. The emphasis in the first six chapters is on the fundamental beliefs that define the movement -- the conception of Judaism as an evolving religious civilization, the nature of God, the role of traditional practice and halakha, the interaction of practicing Jews with an open society, and the place of Zionism. The ideas in these chapters are set out clearly and concisely and give the reader a good idea of what Reconstructionism is about. These chapters are not meant to be theology or a rigorous exposition of Reconstructionist ideas; still, a little more detail on some of the more obvious difficulties (an asserted "solution" to the problem of theogony, which is not a solution at all) and tensions within the movement (did Kaplan go too far or not far enough in changing the liturgy, the language of prayer, the conception of "chosenness") would have been helpful. As it stands, this part of the book seems to be pitched toward bright high school students or adults who have never thought about theological issues except in the most basic, "self help" terms.The second half of "Exploring Judaism" is devoted to Reconstructionist practice -- study, prayer, ritual, social action, the development of inclusive communities, and the "structure" of the movement itself. These chapters do an excellent job of demonstrating how Judaism can be reconstructed into a vital center of one's life and community. Here the authors succeed in being inspirational without being preachy."Exploring Judaism" seems to have been written for people who were raised in another Jewish movement and who have either dropped out or become disenchanted. A reasonable degree of familiarit

Alpert and Staub's book is great place for a spiritual seeker looking for basic information on Reconstructionist Judaism or for a committed Reconstructionist Jew. I found that this book has been very helpful in resolving a lot of my own personal beliefs about Judaism and feel that it can do a lot for other searching Jews. The truth, beauty, and intellectual integrity of Reconstructionism are amply demonstrated by this book. The book also provides a long list of resources for further study, all of which I highly recommend.

I just finished the book, Exploring Judaism: A Reconstructionist Approach. I can't believe that I finished it in just two evenings - it's so unlike me. I found it incredibly informative and empowering, especially coming from an oft-times exclusive traditional background. This book is written in an intellectual but accessible manner. It truly elaborates on the Reconstructionist point of entry into Judaism. It also encourages further study! I didn't realize that one could find so much beauty in my heritage - especially since I broke away several years ago feeling spiritually empty and intellectually disenfranchized. I highly recommend this book for anyone, but especially those who are deeply struggling to recapture and explore their Jewish soul. Thanks Rabbis Alpert and Staub!!!!