This program is intended for teens from sixth grade through high school.  The program is written for 1 hour and 45 minutes but could be easily shortened by removing sections.  Similarly, any size group could do this program (by using less of the catchphrases).

PURPOSE

To have participants come up with a working definition of Reconstructionism

MATERIALS

Index Cards

Markers

Large papers poster board size

Kaplan quotes

TIMELINE

Introduction/Role Play (5 minutes)

Mordecai is a Reconstructionist Jew inviting his friend Shlomo to come to his synagogue. Shlomo has never heard of Reconstructionism and asks what it is, but Mordecai has no way to explain it.

Brainstorm (5-10 minutes)

In groups of about 10 kids, brainstorm answers to questions like:

• What is Reconstructionism?
• Why is it different from other denominations?
• What are its values? etc.

Kaplan quotes (15-20 minutes)

These groups divide in half. Each small group gets a short quote from Mordecai Kaplan about an aspect of Reconstructionism written on big sheets of paper. They discuss what it means, how it applies today, what is something Reconstructionist Jews do that illustrates this point, etc. They can present the quote in any creative way: Decorating the paper, writing a limerick/haiku/rap, performing a skit/interpretive dance. Some ideas for different aspects: Community, Inclusion, Gender, Spirituality, God, Tikkun Olam, Hiddur Mitzvah, Israel, Tradition, Values.

Possible Quotes:

• The past has a vote, not a veto.
• Judaism in the evolving religious civilization of the Jewish people.
• We are living in two civilizations.
• God is the power that makes for salvation.
• Not timelessness but timeliness is the desideratum.
• The Jews who represent the most vital and promising element in Jewry today are those to whom Judaism is a problem.
• We affirm that the Torah reveals God, not that God revealed the Torah.
• What the Crown is to England, that Eretz Yisrael is to the Jewish people.

Sharing (5-10 minutes)

Each group presents quote.

Business Cards (10 minutes)

Using everything we have talked about, each person gets an index card and a marker to come up with his/her own definition of Reconstructionist Judaism. We will have the Kaplan quotes hung around the room so people can walk around to get ideas.

Wrap Up/Second Role Play (5 minutes)

People share definitions, difficulties, things they learned, etc.

Mordecai uses index card to explain to Shlomo what Reconstructionism is and Shlomo realizes this is the denomination he’s been searching for and decides to join Mordecai's synagogue.

Program written by Aviva Rosman and Samantha Wilco
for the No'ar Hadash North American Teen Kallah, November 2004.