Bnai Keshet Senior Rabbi Elliott Tepperman will speak at his Montclair synagogue’s Kaplan minyan about Jewish Peoplehood at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 10. The concept of Jewish peoplehood was first articulated in the early decades of the 20th Century by Reconstructionist co-founder Mordecai Kaplan, for whom Bnai Keshet’s Kaplan minyan is named.
Essentially, Kaplan’s Jewish peoplehood concept holds that people form their belief systems in the context of community and it’s in that context they can find meaning and attain highest human values. Tepperman will explore whether it needs reconstructing to give it more meaning and power in this historical moment.
“The idea of Jewish peoplehood and civilization was core to Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan’s understanding of Judaism,” says Tepperman. “Almost a century later the language of peoplehood has been adopted broadly by diverse Jewish groups with divergant understandings of its meanings. Simultaneously, the cultural anchors of Judaism seem to be decreasing in importance to younger millennial Jews. What is the role of peoplehood in shaping contemporary 21st century Judaism? Has the idea lost it relevance or is it in need of reconstructing?”
Tepperman embraces spiritually courageous Judaism and loving pursuit of shalom and justice for all people. He believes that Jewish practice is most transformational when deep internal work becomes a springboard for building community and engaging with the world. And likewise when we bring the profound and mundane challenges of our personal and public lives to bear on our Jewish study and worship.
Since 2002 Rabbi Elliott has been the spiritual leader of Bnai Keshet in Montclair, NJ. He has worked to build a robust, inclusive and collaborative Jewish community. Under his leadership the synagogue has created an innovative Shabbat centered education program, with over 150 children meeting each week and 40-60 adults meeting in multiple classes. He has led meditation retreats, started a weekly meditation minyan and taught multiple mussar – strengthening soul traits cohorts. He inspired and facilitated the establishment of a community centered burial society.
The community is invited to join him at Saturday’s Kaplan minyan. Bnai Keshet is located at 99 S. Fullerton Ave., Montclair. For more information, call 973-746-4889.