Mel’s Desk
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Edited and compiled by Dr. Mel Scult A foundational work in modern Jewish thought, The Religious Humanism of Mordecai Kaplan: An Anthology presents the radical and enduring philosophy of one of the most influential religious thinkers of the 20th century. “This volume will be valuable to those familiar with Kaplan and to any person who…
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Kaplan believed that the Jews were among the first to make a religion of their peoplehood. He was a life long Zionist and believed that Zionism was an essential part of being Jewish. But most importantly, he strongly differentiated between the religion of ancient Israel and collective egotism or what we today would call nationalism.…
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by Dr. Mel Scult Peter Beinart in the Sunday Opinion section of the New York Times, was his usual brilliant self. But in this case he happens to be wrong. He would have us believe that the liberals on the left who have traditionally identified strongly with Israel have no place to go. He would…
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As we prepare to begin our reading of the Book of Exodus at a time of war and conflict these two reflections by Mel Scult on Kaplan’s views of might and right seem particularly contemporary. From Mordecai Kaplan: What can be plainer than that the following indicates what the Exodus meant to Israel: “And for…
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KAPLAN in the period after the end of World War I , was concerned about the issue of free speech. Right now both in America and in Israel the matter of free speech is very much on people’s minds. With Israel at war should we allow ourselves the space to criticize the government in its…
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Video of Dr. Mel Scult’s talk at West End Synagogue
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Mel discusses his book The Radical American Judaism of Mordecai M. Kaplan in a podcast.
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The Journals of Mordecai M. Kaplan Edited by Mel Scult Available for purchase (see below)
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This diary entry from Kaplan illustrates the spiritual doubts of a number of rabbinical students from the early forties. The entry is significant on many levels not the least of which is the fact that Jack Cohen and Sidney Morgenbesser were in the group. Kaplan’s response is significant in that it illustrates that though he…