A different kind of Chanukah Light. Tending Hope for Reparations

This past weekend, KSS Vice President Cheryl Lubow voted “yes” on behalf of our kehilah in a meeting of the Reconstructing Judaism Plenum, a group representing all the congregations and chavurot affiliated with the movement. The vote was in support of a movement-wide resolution calling for study, reflection, discussion, and action around reparations (click here to read the full resolution). The vote in favor of the resolution was passed by the vast majority of voting representatives. It now moves to the Board of Governors of Reconstructing Judaism who will review the plenum vote and related discussion before voting on whether to adopt it as a formal position of the movement.

Why reparations? Judaism tells us that although we may not be able to complete our work of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, neither are we exempt from beginning it. Judaism asks us to be a light to the nations and provide moral leadership. Our country, among others, was built on a foundation of slavery, displacement, and other cruelties whose ripples are still felt in our society today. Reconstructing Judaism has the philosophy that we can and must be okay with complexity and divergent voices. It’s important to have discussions which are not easy. It’s not just okay, but essential we learn about a history which makes us uncomfortable. Reconstructing Judaism has made learning about reparations part of its strategic plan for the next few years.

During the seven-week period between Tisha B’Av (commemoration of the destruction of the ancient temple in Jerusalem) and Rosh Hashanah, in advance of the plenum vote, KSS Social Action Chair Debra Seltzer organized a thoughtful and thought-provoking collection of study material on reparations which included questions for reflect and discussion with others. The materials and related conversations wove together the shmita concept of debt forgiveness and redistribution of accumulated wealth with considerations on truth, reconciliation, and reparations. If you missed that opportunity for learning, it’s not too late to join the conversation. Again, this work is ongoing; an ultramarathon, not a sprint.

One thing you might do is pick up a copy of Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg’s book, On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World. The Reconstructing Judaism Thriving Communities team led a book club in reading and discussing the book this fall and KSS President Jodi Kushins joined the group. Book club organizer Rabbi Micah Weiss, assistant director of Thriving Communities/Tikkun Olam Specialist at Reconstructing Judaism, described the book as “one of the most inspiring books I’ve read in recent memory. Rav Danya writes a powerful Jewish vision for how to approach the deep transformation and healing of harm that is needed at the interpersonal, institutional and societal levels. This is one of the most compelling and accessible texts on reparations I’ve read, and I think all Reconstructionists would benefit from spending some time with it.” Don’t have time to read a book right now? Check out this interview with R’ Ruttenberg on Chutzpod.

The plenum vote is not the end of the discussion, but a movement-wide green light to continue our learning and confront the past.