Welcome to the Ritual Policy Kashrut Pages

Thanks for visiting the Ritual Policy Task Force (RPTF) web pages. Over the past several weeks we have been working together to create a process that will allow our community to make a decision regarding the kashrut policies that CBH will embrace as a community.

Fundamental to this process is something called Values Based Decision Making (VBDM). Reconstructionist synagogues commonly use VBDM to help individuals or groups come to decisions about behavior, policies and procedures in an orderly way that feels valid to everyone involved.

Typically, VBDM contains these steps:

Determine facts, alternative actions and outcomes.

Examine relevant scientific and social scientific approaches to understand these facts, actions and outcomes.

Consider the historical and contemporary context, including the history and rationales of Jewish practice.

Look for norms that might exclude some actions.

Assemble and weigh relevant attitudes, beliefs and values.

Formulate decision alternatives.

Seek consensus.

Make a decision.

The Reconstructionist movement affirms the value of local autonomy. Even when congregations utilize similar decision-making processes, they will emerge from these discussions with divergent policies. So the CBH kashrut policy that emerges from this process may not be the same as that adopted by any other Reconstructionist congregation. But it will make sense for us.

Following is a listing of our CBH Core Values. After each value we have included a note (in italics) as to how and where we have incorporated this value into the process.

Caring Community: We are a caring community that creates a welcoming and supportive environment. This process is intended to allow the entire community to participate in it.

Inclusivity: We are a diverse community with varying views on Jewish practice and varying levels of observance. This diversity is accepted and embraced without judgment. This process was designed to allow for varying opinions to shape the final outcome.

Shared Responsibility: Our members are engaged and feel responsible to help improve both our congregational community and the secular community through social action initiatives. By realizing the importance of creating norms within our own community we're able mobilize to be a part of the community-at-large.

Menschlichkeit: We strive to conduct ourselves in a way that is respectful and caring.

Devotion to Learning: We will continuously offer learning programs to meet the diverse interests of all congregants. The RPTF has developed a multi-pronged approach to educate the community about Kashrut.

Balancing Tradition and Innovation: We deeply respect the traditions that unify all Jews. We balance traditional observances with innovations that reflect more contemporary social values. Through a variety of classes, programs and events the RPTF will engage our community and listen to their ideas.

Spirituality: We strive to accommodate the spiritual needs of all our members and to infuse spirituality in all things we do. The final outcome of this process should embrace our other values in varying degrees, thus allowing for a more Jewish spiritual experience.

Comfort Level: We create a comfortable, informal environment, one in which individuals feel valued and accepted. If we all engage in this process, CBH will be a comfortable place for all of us.

Engagement: We seek to have programs that maximize individual's involvement and engage our members. Whether an experiential program or reading a book on your own, this process is geared to offer options that will appeal to all of us.

Jewish Continuity: We are devoted to passing a strong sense of Jewish identity and pride from generation to generation. Hence, the need for this process.

RPTF Members

Additional Information

President's letter to the congregation by Jay

Introduction to kashrut by the RPTF

Resource information including links to other web sites and the kashrut policies of other Reconstructionist congregations.

Up-coming Events

Sunday, April 6 – Kick-off Brunch 10:00 AM - Join us for an experiential learning experience that will entertain, teach and intrigue...plus fill your stomach too!

Shabbat Kashrut Conversations - Join Rabbi Amy as we explore the following topics:

Saturday, April 12th, 9:10 AM - "Did Jew Know?" Kashrut Today: A Reconstructionist Approach

Friday, April 25, following services - New ideas in Kashrut: Eco-Kashrut, Ethical kashrut and more

Saturday, May 17, following the family service - "Ask The Rabbi" - This is your chance to ask all of those nagging questions

Saturday, June 7 – Havdallah Happening - You've studied and listened and learned...Now is the time to enjoy a beautiful havdallah service and share your thoughts with the Ritual Policy Task Force. This is your chance to tell us what’s on your mind.

In addition to these programs, information will be available on the CBH website, as well as, in the April and May issues of Tikvah Talk.