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It is not within the province of the movement to pronounce any one theology as truer than another. All that Reconstructionism stresses is that a Jew, to he a Jew in the full sense of the term, should have a theology in which he believes with all his heart, sonl and mind.
-Mordecai Kaplan, Questions Jews Ask
In over 500 pages brimming with ideas for the reconstruction of Jewish life, Judaism tis a Civilizalion never once suggests establishing a fourth movement for American Jews. Nevertheless, 70 years later there are over 100 congregations and havurot that call themselves "Reconstructionist." Having spent the better part of my life actively engaged with several Reconstructionist communities, I welcome this opportunity to reflect on the thought and practice of the movement in light of Mordecai M. Kaplan's theology.
Most Reconstructionists believe that they are following Kaplan in their basic commitment to a naturalized view of Torah (Jewish law) and Israel (Jewish people). This understanding is correct, as I will briefly illustrate. At the same time, they often think that they are abandoning or significantly deviating from Kaplan's view of God. Yet, I will argue, whereas Kaplan's metaphysics may no longer be current, much of what is happening today in Reconstructionist "God-talk" is congruent with Kaplan's spiritual pragmatism.
I will suggest that Kaplan is more useful in thinking about religion today than is usually acknowledged. Understanding Kaplan as a spiritual pragmatist in the tradition of William James illuminates developments in Reconstructionist theology, helps us understand and build upon the spiritual seeking that has become part of our movement, and suggests some directions for the future.
Kaplan's project was to take the ideas of Torah, Israel, and God, deprive them of the power and prestige of divine revelation, and (here was the tricky part) enhance religious practice, commitment to the Jewish people, and spirituality. He wanted to demystify the key elements of Judaism, to see them as human constructions understood through social science, and then to have people find them more compelling than before. He had faith that a high level of transparency could coexist with depth of obligation and commitment. Those of us who do our work under the banner of Reconstructionism share that faith-at least enough to test it...