With the High Holiday season underway, Deborah welcomes Justin Rosen Smolen, Reconstructing Judaism's Vice President for Thriving Communities and Partnerships, for a wide-ranging conversation about covenantal community. They explore how the idea of covenant, from biblical narratives to contemporary community-building, emphasizes relationships, mutual responsibility and interdependence. They consider how liberal religion can help address societal issues like loneliness and division, and advocate for conversations that build inclusive, thriving communities. Later, Deborah and Justin explore a Reconstructionist understanding of covenant, emphasizing the importance of shared values and intergenerational dialogue, and recognizing that while diverse perspectives may create tension, they also provide opportunities for growth and deeper understanding within the community.

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

Special Guest: Justin Rosen Smolen.

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Links:

• Watch Deborah's High Holiday teaching on covenantal community
• High Holiday resources from Reconstructing Judaism
• Explore High Holiday prayers and poems on Ritualwell
• Read Deborah in the Times of Israel: As Reconstructionists, Our Litmus Test is Centering Relationships Over Politics
• Read Deborah's latest Evolve piece, "A Jewish Embrace of Democracy: Early Reconstructionist Judaism and America’s Promise"
• Support Reconstructing Judaism with a donation of $36