Jewish Reconstructionist Federation leadership hails Montreal

By Mike Cohen

The Jewish Tribune, November 28, 2002; 23 Kislev, 5763 Tribune

MONTREAL — More than 400 Reconstructionists from across the continent gathered in Montreal recently for four days of learning, worship and networking “Self, Congregation, Community and the World: Seeking a Reconstructionist Balance,” was the theme of the 39^th convention of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation (JRF).

“This gathering really exceeded our expectations,” stated Lani Moss, the convention coordinator from the JRF’s head office in Philadelpia. “We originally expected about 300 people. But the Montrealers really produced a good showing.”

The JRF counts only three member congregations in Canada: Dorshei Emet in the Montreal suburb of Hampstead; Darchei Noam in Toronto; and the Ottawa Reconstructionist Havurah. “I think this conference has been a boost for the movement in Canada,” said Teena Hendelman, a member of the latter congregation and the president of the JRF Canadian Region, which also includes Buffalo, New York. “The numbers of each of our congregations is growing.”

At the convention’s opening plenary session, entitled “Jewish Identity in the Modern World,” McGill History Professor Dr. Gil Troy and JRF Director of Outreach and Congregational Services Rabbi Shawn Zevit examined where Reconstructionism fits into the landscape of North American Jewish life in both historical and contemporary contexts. They used information from the recently released National Jewish Population Survey and other sources.

Participants had the opportunity to gather in small groups by geographic region to discuss the findings and their impact on local communities. Mount Royal Liberal MP Irwin Cotler delivered a keynote address. His talk considered the global implications of the rise in racism and antisemitism, and examined how attendees could engage in the global effort to eradicate these social ills. “He provided a very unique perspective,” observed newly appointed JRF President Daniel G. Cedarbaum of Evanston, Illinois. “I appreciated the way he described the balance he has to make as a lawyer, human rights activist and now a Member of Parliament on issues like supporting Israel.”

This marked the first time the JRF convention had been held in Montreal since 1967. Attendees had the opportunity to worship in a brand new facility that houses Congregation Dorshei Emet, Montreal’s largest Reconstructionist synagogue. The stunning $4.2 million facility has a membership list of 450 and growing. “We’re naturally pleased and honoured that the JRF agreed to bring the convention back here,” said Dorshei Emet Rabbi Ron Aigen.

The convention was dedicated to the memory of Dorshei Emet’s founding rabbi, Lavy Becker (1905-2001), a noted Reconstructionist scholar and leader and to Rabbi Ira Eisenstein (1906-2001), who is credited with founding Reconstructionism as a separate movement. He led the effort to establish a seminary to train new rabbis in the unique theology of the Reconstructionist movement. Those efforts came to fruition during and immediately following the 1967 convention with the founding of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia.

Cedarbaum believes the convention celebrated the many successes of the Reconstructionist movement over the past two years, and energized participants for new initiatives in the years ahead. Among the accomplishments are the establishment of the first Reconstructionist summer camp, which completed its first session last summer, and a new Israel Programs Department to strengthen ties between congregations in North America and Israel. The convention also launched No’ar Hadash (New Youth), the Reconstructionist Youth Programming Network. Teens from 14 “charter member” congregations joined lay and professional leaders for special programming during the convention.

JRF Director of Communications Thomas Taylor feels that for many attendees, the core of the convention experience was the opportunity to join with like-minded Jews from other parts of the continent for study and fellowship. Over 40 workshops were offered on topics including Interactive Jewish Art, Rabbi-Congregational Relations, Leading Shabbat Services, Canadian Jewry in Comparative Perspective and Reconstructionist Halakhah. Attendees will have the option of following a single workshop track, such as Music and Liturgy, Israel, or Tikkun Olam/Social Action, or sampling different options in various themes.

The convention also provided the Reconstructionist movement an opportunity to acknowledge individuals for particular accomplishments. The JRF Master Teacher Award was presented to two Jewish educators for their exemplary dedication to and creativity in children’s Jewish education. Ilana Axel, of Congregation Shir Hadash in Northbrook, IL and Staci Scheinblum of Kehilat HaNahar in New Hope, PA, were honored at a ceremony on Saturday afternoon. The first ever Kehilat Tzedek Award, honoring a JRF community for their innovative, effective and sustained work in tikkun olam (social action), was presented to Toronto affiliate Darchei Noam.

A rapidly growing synagogue organization of the Reconstructionist movement, the JRF provides its 103 affiliated congregations and havurot with a wide array of services, including rabbinic placement services and national and regional offices which offer consultation on all key areas of congregational life including youth and adult education, leadership, development, outreach and community-building initiatives, fundraising, and budgeting as well as musical, liturgical and other resources. Affiliates also have access to other Reconstructionist institutions: the Reconstructionist Press, which publishes a broad selection of books including the six-volume prayerbook series Kol Haneshamah, a Passover haggadah and CD, educational materials, musical recordings keyed to the liturgy, and related materials; the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, which trains rabbis, teachers and spiritual leaders; and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, the professional support organization for Reconstructionist rabbis.