Made with Xara The Chico Havurah is affiliated with the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation.  Reconstructionism is an American branch of Judaism developed by Mordecai Kaplan in the 1920s. Generally, there are several principles that differentiate it from other branches of Judaism.  They include: • Being Jewish is a matter of belonging, not believing.  Reconstructionist Jews see Judaism as a culture with a long rich history that is worth participating in and preserving, but not as a mandate to hold particular beliefs about God, the Torah, Israel, or the world. • God is within, not above. • All peoples are chosen; Jews are not special in this regard. • The past has a vote, not a veto.  Judaism is a living culture, and thus, in order to remain vibrant, must change and grow.  We not only practice some ancient traditions, but sometimes give them new meanings and modify them so that they remain relevant to our lives.  And just as we choose to abandon some traditions that no longer hold meaning for us, we also explore and create new Jewish traditions that inspire us. • People (not God) are responsible for creating a humane, peaceful world where all people are treated with respect and dignity.  Thus engaging in the pursuit of social justice--not just for Jews, but for all people--is a fundamental aspect of Judaism.   What is Reconstructionism? © Chico Havurah.  2010. Chico Havurah The Place for Progressive Judaism