Episode 59: The Reconstructionist Connection to Democracy: Past, Present and Future

Evolve

Democracy holds a special place in Reconstructionist teachings, liturgy and practice — though most Jews have embraced American democracy as hospitable to Jewish life. Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., and Rabbi William Plevan, Ph.D., dive deep into Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan’s — the founding thinker of Reconstructionist Judaism — thinking on democracy and pluralism and why it matters today. Each shares thoughts on the prospects for liberal democracy at a time when the form of government is under strain across the world — and what it might mean for Jewish communities. As a bonus, Rabbi Jacob Staub, Ph.D., who directs the Evolve podcast, shares the process behind Evolve’s series of essays on democracy.

Theme song, “Ilu Finu” by Rabbi Miriam Margles. Her album This is the Day is available for purchase at CDBaby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/miriammarglesandthehadarensemb

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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.

Special Guests: Rabbi Bill Plevan, Ph.D. and Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D..

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• Sign up for Evolve's free newsletter to stay up to date on the latest essays, videos and podcasts
• Read Rabbi Deborah Waxman's Evolve essay, "A Jewish Embrace of Democracy: Early Reconstructionist Judaism and America’s Promise"
• Read Rabbi Bill Plevan's Evolve essay, "Sustaining Democracy Amid Cultural Pluralism: Mordecai Kaplan’s Vision"
• Explore the full symposium: Practices for Defending Democracy
• On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder
• American Crucible: Race and Nation in the Twentieth Century by Gary Gerstle
• Also on Evolve, "The Year Since October 7" essay collection
• From the Wisconsin Examiner, "A prescription for overcoming our dangerous political divisions
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• Learn more about "Memory Lights The World," Ritualwell's memorial wall