The calamity of October 7 and the war that followed had left Israel and the Jewish world in shock and despair. The unimaginable became our reality. As the horror is protracted, we are facing the painful daily losses in battle and the ongoing plight of the hostages and their families. No less troubling are the terrible losses and devastation in Gaza. The rumble of worldwide antisemitism and its consequences adds to our fears.
In such a time, where do we turn? Moving beyond the holy days, how do we find solace when community is not immediate, and layers of grief abound? While peace may seem far away, or even impossible, we have strength in our own reflections of the Divine. Mordecai Kaplan believed art, music, and culture is central to the vitality of Judaism, and what better time to engage with that force for salvific action than now?
Join us for a series of gatherings where art becomes a vessel for healing. In the wake of October 7th, this (free) series explores how creative expression can serve as pathways to hope, shift negative thoughts, and support communal solidarity. Come to one ‘concert’ or sign up for all, bring your friends, and learn about these amazing artists and curators while you discover how they honor loss, nurture resilience, and rediscover light within our shattered world.
Click on the below tickets to register for our Art and Healing Series webinars the first four Sundays of November at 2:30pm Eastern Standard Time (EST)
What’s New ? מה חדש
Webinars and More
Tu b’Shevat – Judaism and the Environment
with Rabbis Michael Cohen and Fred Scherlinder Dobb
February 9, 2025
Between Father and Daughter: Exploring the Career and Influence of Judith Kaplan Eisenstein
with Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton
March 23, 2025
Pirke Mordecai
with Yovel recipients Rabbis Lee Friedlander and Arnold Rachlis
May 4, 2025
Kaplanian Scholarship
Looking to deepen your knowledge of Mordecai Kaplan’s life and philosophy?
- Meet a great companion guide in the form of Mel Scult’s annotated bibliography keep on home page
- Read scholarly articles about Kaplan
- Watch video reminiscences about Kaplan’s life
- Learn about Kaplan on One Foot: Mel Scult’s Eight Core Principles of Kaplan’s Philosophy
- Watch Mel Scult’s talk about Kaplan’s Understanding of Naturalistic Prayer
- Read Dr. Jeffrey Schein’s article on democracy, “Memory on Trial”
Kaplanian Voices
Our Kaplanian voices series seeks to sensitize us to the unique ways many of us experience the very notion of Peoplehood in 2023. Below are excerpts from conversation between Rabbis Jeffrey Eisenstat, founding director of our movement’s Camp Havaya, and former camp counselors about their initial exposures to the philosophies of Mordecai Kaplan a decade ago and its present meaning to them as young adult Jews in their thirties.
Visit the Ira Eisenstein portal where you will find….
- Introductions by Rabbi Richard Hirsh to Ira Eisenstein’s books Creative Judaism and What We Mean by Religion with digital copies of those currently out-of-print volumes now available on our website
- Explore the full set of resources related to teaching Mordecai Kaplan through Ira Eisenstein’s writings with these resources
- Reflections about Ira Eisenstein as theologian and wise leader by Rabbis Dennis Sasso and Jeffrey Schein
- A recording of Rabbi Eisenstein’s contributions that was hosted by the SAJ:Judaism that Stands For All as part of its centenary celebration
Throughout this website we offer many resources about Mordecai Kaplan’s influential writings and philosophy and how Kaplan’s legacy continues to be woven through contemporary thought and practice.