Book Description
This substantially revised and updated edition of the 1985 classic is ideal for everyone who wants to know more about Judaism.Whether you are a long-time participant in the Jewish community, a newcomer or someone who has struggled to find a home in Jewish life, this introduction to Jewish thought and practice from a Reconstructionist perspective will offer inspiration and guidance. From Kaplan's belief through contemporary innovations, this engaging text explores Reconstructionist views on God, ethics, Zionism, spirituality, text study, Tikkun Olam, life cycle ritual, intermarriage, gay and lesbian issues... and more!A must-read. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Just an Introduction
The book is very much an introduction, but not as good as those "blank for dummies books." It reads as if you entered the front door, then a second later, turn around and are back in the hall way. The chapters are short and simple. The actual philosophical and theological concepts are reduced to sentences. If anyone were to read this book believing it's the movement's intellectual history, they would be disappointed.

Perhaps the greatest contribution towards reconstruction's theory is Judaism as a Civilization by Kaplan, a good primary source that shows the movement through the founder's eyes.

I would recommend it for someone who wants a quick introduction without the difficulty of theological perspectives.

Guide to Reconstructionist Belief and Practice
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 familiarity with traditional Jewish practice and belief is assumed throughout.If you are lacking that familiarity, you may be somewhat lost, particularly in the later chapters.Recommended to anyone seeking to learn more about this path to reconnecting with Judaism.

Excellent Presentation of Reconstructionism
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.

Sensitive and Inclusive reentry into faith
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!!!! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

a somewhat dated, but absolutely first-rate survey
Though in some respects dated, Rabbi Gilbert S. Rosenthal's "The Many Faces of Judaism" provides an excellent survey of American Judaism, focusing on the history, ideas, values, and practices of four major movements:Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, and Reform.

The book is particularly sympathetic in its treatment of the Conservative and Reconstructionist movements - perhaps displaying a little bias on Rabbi Rosenthal's part.But Rosenthal knows his subject, and his treatment is generally evenhanded in its coverage of all four movements' history and values.In fact, Rosenthal's fairness and balance may help to explain why he was selected to be Executive Director of the National Council of Synagogues, representing the Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist movements together on Jewish relations with other religious traditions.

Sadly missing is any discussion of American Judaism's fifth major movement, the Humanistic Judaism founded by the Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine.

Although the book is obviously written for classroom instruction of Jewish youth (the publisher offers a teacher's guide and student workbook), I find the text a first-rate introduction for non-Jewish adults.It is clear, informative, and engaging.

And the fact that it is dated in some respects may serve to underscore what it says about the relative alacrity with which the Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist movements may adapt to social change - with the Conservatives perhaps lagging a bit behind Reform Jews and Reconstructionists on issues like the ordination of women rabbis.Each of these movements is in any event alive, dynamic, and engaging the modern world.

Eric Alan Isaacson

Very outdated
This may have been a good introduction to the differences between movements at one time, but it's now outdated and misleading. For example, it was written before the Conservative movement had female rabbis and counted women in the minyan. ... Read more

Book Description
This digital document is an article from American Jewish History, published by American Jewish Historical Society on December 1, 1998. The length of the article is 8538 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the supplier: This article examines the philosophical and historical development of reconstructionist Judaism as compared with the religious ideology of Mordecai Menachem Kaplan. Topics include whether Kaplan intended to create a new denomination or merely modify existing tenets.

Citation Details
Title: Reconstructionist Judaism in the Mind of Mordecai Kaplan: The Transformation from a Philosophy into a Religious Denomination.
Author: Deborah Ann Musher
Publication: American Jewish History (Refereed)
Date: December 1, 1998
Publisher: American Jewish Historical Society
Volume: 86Issue: 4Page: 397

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Book Description
The first systematic and comprehensive analysis of official Reconstructionist prayer materials. ... Read more

Book Description
Judaism as a Civilization remains one of the most original and thought-provoking contributions toward creating a comprehensive program for creative Jewish life. In this seminal work, Kaplan offers his now famous concept of Judaism as an evolving religious civilization. For Judaism to survive and grow, Jews must continue to reconstruct their heritage in response to changes in social, political, and cultural conditions, producing new literature and liturgy, adding and eliminating customs and traditions. All Jews - traditional and liberal, religious and secular - can play a part in that reconstruction. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Volleyball Is A Civilization
"Rabbi"Mordecai Kaplan's book,'Judaism is a Civilization' should've gone out of print before they changed the cover;nobody would pay any attention to a common atheist lacking "the rabbi title" who defines God as a "cosmic process" and/or who believes Judaism's concept of chosenness is racism-which Kaplan believed before The Holocaust-and after.In 1945,Kaplan also came out with a prayerbook,which was justifiably criticized as "prayers to whom it may concern."If you want to read the shorter version of
'Civilization',read,'Judaism Beyond God' by "Rabbi" Sherwin Wine,who believes that God is irrelevent. There's a distinction with little difference between them-they both suck-but 'Beyond' is shorter.

The "Bible" of modern American Judaism
This is the book that began the evolution of modern American Jewish life as it has developed. Kaplan analyzes the movements that have shaped modern Judaism, and explains why none of them alone can address the needs of contemporary American Jews. His ideas, written over 50 years ago, have influenced all other movements, as well asgiving birth to the Reconstructionist movement. This is a book that every thinking American Jew must read, whether you end up agreeing or disagreeing with his views. The fact that he had his feet in three of the four movements in American Jewish life (he was rabbi of an Orthodox synagogue and involved in the early days of the Young Israel movement, taught at Jewish Theological Seminary (Conservative), and was the founder of Reconstructionism) gives him insights into each group. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Informations about the book.
Does Judaism have denominations similar to those found in Christianity? The answer to this perplexing question could clarify many enigmas for the students of Judaism, be they Jewish or Gentile. Marc Lee Raphael, a Reform rabbi and currently Professor of History and Director of the Melton Center for Jewish Studies at Ohio State University, provides insight into the labyrinth of American Judaism through his study of the Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, and Reconstructionist traditions. To a certain extent, the gamut of Jewish beliefs and practices ranging from the non-Zionist, separatist Satmar Hasidim on the right to the agnostic, Polydox Reformers on the left rivals the polarity within Christianity. But, on the other hand, there is a certain spirit of communality among the majority of Jews encompassing support for Israel and a fear of anti-Semitism which suggests that unity rather than sectarianism is a characteristic of Judaism. Utilizing a variety of primary sources, the author traces the evolution of the various movements in Judaism from their European antecedents through their latest developments in America, analyzing ideologies, institutions, and personalities. From: theologytoday... website. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A valiant try
Scult makes the effort to see Kaplan as a major force in restructuring and enhancing Jewish 'civilization' as a whole. While Kaplan was without doubt a major Jewish twentieth century figure the results of his efforts are not particularly encouraging. The Jewish people it seems need God far more than they need Kaplan's 'God idea'. The Jewish people once they follow Kaplan's prescription andmake of their religious life a ' tradition' only, lose a dimension of meaning not easily gained elsewhere.. Is it surprising then that what we have today in the Jewish world is so so much assimilation on the one hand, and a growth in a more narrow kind of Haredi Judaism?
Kaplan was a prolific, and in certain ways heroic figure.But his ideas and his whole view - of - the -world did not bring about true Jewish renewal. And the long- term beneficial results of his effort seem to be minor indeed.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The truth never becomes outdated
Exploring every aspect of the challenges a religion must face in an evolving scientific society being marauded by iniquities, war, and atheism, finding a place for faith in a democratic society would seem impossible. This book does not claim to have the only answer to a solution for these problems, but rather a neutral and more than sufficiently supported view as to how education must play the defining role in the perpetuation of any civilization or religion. In this case, Judaism. A potentially life changing text for one trying to discover humanities destiny through religion.

1933 - 2000, Has Civilization Really Changed? Look and See.
This book is a discussion of philosophies of Jewish survival which are as pertinant today as it was when it was written in 1933 by my grandfather Samuel Dinin.

Chapters in the book include subjects such as: theories ofJewish survival, Orthodox Judaism, Concervative Judaism, Reform Judaism andReconstructionist Judaism, Zionism and the the State and future of Jewishlife in Israel and the implications for education and the ractice of Jewishlife.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the future ofAmerican Jewish life.It is a classic text and a must read for any Jew. ... Read more