https://www.correspondingwithkaplan.com/home daily 0.75 2018-11-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1541552224795-VM37OAAYV8VEORVJ7FIZ/__Kaplan+with+books_RG1_RS15A_8x10s_SMALL.jpg Home https://www.correspondingwithkaplan.com/exhibitshome daily 1.0 2019-10-07 https://www.correspondingwithkaplan.com/acknowledgements daily 0.75 2022-12-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1541620818646-4ZMT3WCSV9YZHYX7LEQN/Kaplan_Family_Summer_1916_1.jpg Acknowledgements The Kaplan family, Summer 1916. From left to right: Mordecai M. Kaplan, Hadassah (daughter), Judith (daughter), Naomi (daughter), Lena (wife) and Selma (daughter). https://www.correspondingwithkaplan.com/zionism daily 0.75 2018-11-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1541789291289-MYGZKG5GW3OA930IIVSR/Klutznick_to_Kaplan_pg_1.jpg Zionism https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1541789434657-I1S9QKASUZQGNIFO3R0V/Klutznick_to_Kaplan_pg_3.jpg Zionism https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1541789196531-JFCGQ2Q0PWXO34DDQ023/Klutznick_to_Kaplan_pg_2.jpg Zionism https://www.correspondingwithkaplan.com/about daily 0.75 2022-09-23 https://www.correspondingwithkaplan.com/jewish-education daily 0.75 2018-11-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1541429691254-7PPD138BL58H1JGEY9PS/Lewittes_to_Kaplan_Page2.jpg Jewish Education . . . a task; the individual members of the Assembly are sufficiently progressive to acclaim such a book if prepared by a competent group. I have in mind a manual following in simplified form the שלחן ערוך [Shulchan Aruch, an authoritative 16th century code of Jewish law], embodying the principles of 1 — conservation of religious forms 2 — aestheticization of form 3 — symbolization of form.When I read the שלחן ערוך [Shulchan Aruch] I delight when I come across a wise principle such as סכנתא חמירא מאיסורא [sakanta chamira me’isura/danger is treated more stringently than a prohibition], but my delight is spoiled by the next paragraph which speaks of רוח רעה [ruach ra’ah/evil spirit] or עין רעה [ayin ra’ah/evil eye]. I had meant to write a letter similar to this months ago, but forbore, mindful of the wise saw [proverb], הדיוט קופץ בראש [hedyot kofetz b’rosh/a fool jumps ahead]. But I finally got up enough courage to do so, feeling that now, if ever, is the עת לעשות [et la’asot/time for action]. Sincerely yours, Mordecai Lewittes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1541429636451-ZU73OXPTDWPQKEVA1F87/Lewittes_to_Kaplan_Page1.jpg Jewish Education Feb. 27, 1936 Dear Dr. Kaplan I have just completed reading with interest your essay on “The Status of the Jewish Woman.” It seems to me typical of the spirit underlying the “Reconstructionist,” making it the only journal in America really contributing to an “advancement of Judaism.” It has set me thinking about a project which has long occupied my mind. The need has been felt of a “Guide To Judaism,” which one can, without embarrassment, place in the hand of the intelligent layman. It seems to me that the “Reconstructionist” is eminently fitted to compile such a guide. The Rabbinical Assembly is too “conservative” — in the worst sense of that term — to ever undertake such . . . https://www.correspondingwithkaplan.com/kaplan-as-a-person daily 0.75 2019-01-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1541703073342-91H80I3CJX7DSMZB76DI/Kaplan_to_Jaffe_pg+3.jpg Kaplan as a Person . . . mouth water? Yes tomorrow I shall tackle the “guy” who objects to Judaism as a civilization. I hope I shall pin both his shoulders to the floor. Saul will explain to you what that means. Thanks for letting me have the name of the book on American literature. That’s the one I wanted. I happened to mention it to [Hayden or Haydon?] as an example of treating literature as reflecting the Zeitgeist (the spirit of the times) but I couldn’t think of the author’s name. If I remember aright you expected to leave for Bermuda before I got back from Chicago. I hope there won’t be any more changes in your plans for a vacation. Please go and have a real enjoyable rest and come back sound in health and full of pep. Of course you understand I am saying this to you and Saul. With love [and] kisses to you both Mordecai https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1541514010197-QJ3AB78YD1U780NXHSU6/Brandeis_to_Kaplan.jpg Kaplan as a Person Personal Chatham Mass. July 15 1934 Dear Dr. Kaplan, [?] [?] June 24. My thanks for your study which is illuminating and powerful. Cordially, Louis D. Brandeis Dr. Mordecai M. Kaplan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1541434252732-9Y8MEKPRXVPR95U3M1MQ/Kaplan_to_Scult_COVER.jpg Kaplan as a Person https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1541440941535-NUJICGLFUJRH2ZJODY41/Kaplan_to_Scult_merged.jpg Kaplan as a Person Saturday night, October 27/73 Dear Dr. Scult, Your airmail letter of October 15 together with the 56 page article arrived yesterday afternoon. I no sooner received the article then I read it and found it to be a comprehensive account of my life and thought in the 1920’s presented in such a dramatic fashion as to keep the reader glued to it from beginning to end. Fortunately, we had as guests for dinner last night (Sabbath eve) Prof. Moshe Davis [and] his wife. With dinner over, I had him read your article and he was equally impressed by it. Have my heartfelt congratulations. Please note the following corrections: Page 30 - line 5 should read as follows: Bethel, which later merged with Temple Emanuel, the most prestigious Reform etc. Page 36 - line (after crossing out “as” in line 35) in November 1893, when he was admitted into the Preparatory Class, about a half year before his Bar Mitzvah celebration, which was attended by the late Julius Greenstone and . . . [Menachem M.] Eichler both eight years his senior. I don’t know whether you are aware of my having been invited by the Philadelphia Branch of the American Jewish Committee to receive an award for “Human Relations” next Thursday November 1. I had expected to come to Philadelphia specially to receive the award [and] to deliver an address for the occasion which is of urgent relevance at this time. I worked out a Manifesto of the Jewish Reconstructionist Movement entitled, The Desperate Need for Religion: Humanism Not Enough. One of its main purposes was to dispel the effect produced by the New York Times of Sunday Aug. 26 which on its front page mentioned Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan, founder of the Reconstructionist movement as one of the principal signatories. The fact was that I had not signed it and the answer to the request to sign it, I stated why I refused. However, due to the present peace crisis, I informed the A.J.C. that I was not coming to Philadelphia, but would instead send them the Manifesto. Ira [Eisenstein] will make copies of it to be distributed at the dinner and will comment on it. In this Manifesto I finally state in very explicit terms that the God idea in religion draws from the experience of human needs – vital, cognitive [and] operative instead of that idea in philosophy which derives solely from the cognitive need for knowing the cause of existence in general. Make sure to get a copy from Ira of the Manifesto in which I not only criticize Humanism but answer the two questions “When Is a Religion Aesthetic” and “When It Is Mature.” Have you any idea how soon you would have the second chapter ready? With regards from Mrs. Kaplan and myself. Cordially, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1541703020059-UV1LNDD30YMSA7CK797F/Kaplan_to_Jaffe_pg+1.jpg Kaplan as a Person Aug. 9/39 11 P.M. Selma darling, I can’t tell you how happy you made me with your letter. You read my mind aright. I am lonesome and a letter from mom or from any one of you helps to break up the lonesomeness quite a bit. I am writing this, as you can see from the above, after having gotten through with my fifth lecture which dealt with Nationalist Judaism. It made quite a hit. The applause was like that after a harangue, instead of a lecture. What did the trick apparently was the coda. When I got here I didn’t have a perforation to any of the lectures. I found that leaving it for the last half hour before delivering the lecture helps to put a lot of punch into the concluding remarks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1543249509346-BJUVC1W89N50N2QDGRY4/Selma+pg+2_CROP.jpg Kaplan as a Person Mom and you seem worried about the heat. It was real hot last week, but I managed not to mind it. The real ordeal was on the platform. Even tonight when it was rather cool, I worked up quite some perspiration in the course of the 1 hour 15 minute talk. This by the way is how long it took me to deliver each lecture. I had forgotten to write that to Mom and she wanted to know it. Talk about bathing! There couldn’t be any finer fresh water bathing anywhere alongside the entire waterfront edged by the park. It is only about five minutes walk from my hotel. People go in bathing by the thousands. But as you know me — I haven’t the time for such luxuries. It’s because in my youth I was like Saul, always busy, busy, busy. If you think Saul doesn’t worry me, you are mistaken. I was an idler compared to him, with the way he works. I at least dawdled once in a while. To that fact I owe whatever health I have. But Saul doesn’t even know what dawdling means. Since I’ve learned to eat in the hotel restaurant, I am afraid I shall put on weight. What they give you for your money! I am actually becoming a gourmet. Imagine me eating after a big lunch a plateful of blueberries with the finest peach cream on it. Doesn’t it make your . . . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1541001639504-GSQ3LH65USZGDEEK5GKD/Wise_Stephen_to_MMK_05-31-1922_FINAL_SCAN_.jpg Kaplan as a Person https://www.correspondingwithkaplan.com/social-justice daily 0.75 2018-11-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1541722991255-K50GCZ4VUE2X07A1HZKL/Gendler+to+Kaplan_May_12_1963 Social Justice https://www.correspondingwithkaplan.com/womens-roles daily 0.75 2018-11-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1540832523908-SR34FUEUN7MNWHRMLF8O/Adlerblum_to_Kaplan_pg1 Women's Roles [Note at top right] This came enclosed in a letter to me dated somewhere between Sept. 3 and 16. Greetings also from me. [someone’s initials?] Dear Professor Kaplan, I carried your great monument “Judaism as a civilization” with me to Europe. I was amused how the man at the custom house in London looked at it for five minutes, turned over the pages again and again and finally returned it to me. Much to my regret I had to leave it behind me in England as I did not dare take it with me to Germany. I shall finish reading it on my way to New York, and hope to contribute my iota toward spreading it. I wanted to review it for the Journal of Philosophy. But when I telephoned to them, before sailing, the secretary told me that Professor [Herbert W.] Schneider took the book along with him to his summer place with the intention of reviewing it. I asked her to tell Professor Schneider what an important work it is so that the proper space be given to the analysis of it. I do not know whether you were told that I was sent to Germany . . . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1540832569444-C2ZF680BTLK0GQVP8HQQ/Adlerblum_to_Kaplan_pg2 Women's Roles . . . to study conditions there. It was a gruesome experience, but most fruitful and valuable. For I gathered new facts which may help us in our difficult fight. I worked eighteen hours a day, studying every aspect of the situation. It is an extremely complicated problem, and I fear that we have not approached it from the proper angle, and our fight is not an easy one. Your Judaism as a civilization would be a solution to many of our problems, and indeed the only approach. I am writing you in great haste, but I wanted to express to you, Mrs. Kaplan and your family my heartiest wishes for a happy New Year. May your work fructify and help towards the reconstruction of Jewish life. I hope you gave further thought to the educational work of Hadassah. I cannot help thinking that Hadassah is a powerful medium for the concrete expression of Jewish idealism. Perhaps after the holiday you could meet the Educational Committee and discuss the educational program. Mrs. Minnie Halperin is the educational chairman. I shall be back in New York about October fifth or sixth. With best regards and best wishes, sincerely yours, Nima H. Adlerblum https://www.correspondingwithkaplan.com/introduction daily 0.75 2019-01-28 https://www.correspondingwithkaplan.com/kaplan-listening-center-introduction daily 0.75 2019-12-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1548705171090-GFTDLDUFD1Y39GJIGLRC/Questions%252BJews%252BAsk%252BCover Kaplan Listening Center Introduction - Explore short audio clips of Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan’s teachings on Reconstructionism from the 1950s. Cover art of the six-album box set, “Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan Answers “Questions Jews Ask.” Jewish Reconstructionist Foundation, 1966. Reconstructionist Archives Object ID# 2010.03.0219. https://www.correspondingwithkaplan.com/kaplan-listening-center-about daily 0.75 2019-07-01 https://www.correspondingwithkaplan.com/kaplan-listening-center-social-justice daily 0.75 2019-10-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545852376131-8E2QY35J6P04D7S22ZY4/QJA_1b-8.jpg Social Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545852378485-EJQV9HQC4OABHUOODRJL/QJA_1b-8%282%29.jpg Social Justice https://www.correspondingwithkaplan.com/kaplan-listening-center-jewish-communities daily 0.75 2019-10-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545852827391-82ZH7HUO0WH2KUGPGA4J/QJA_4b-3.jpg Jewish Communities https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545852830559-Y85D8I2RQF62J2WQIKGC/QJA_4b-3%282%29.jpg Jewish Communities https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545852691475-9Y4T9446W2TCUA5H1JHC/QJA_6b-4.jpg Jewish Communities https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545852694540-H8VEVMIU9DC398EYV1P0/QJA_6b-4%282%29.jpg Jewish Communities https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545852696839-BEE4PH55FNYKZWJZE8XT/QJA_6b-4%283%29.jpg Jewish Communities https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545852700983-JOO9Q36LJFL616F6OM4U/QJA_6b-4%284%29.jpg Jewish Communities https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545852917209-BYQXOAVI9YRKIMGC7GW2/QJA_3b-5.jpg Jewish Communities https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545852918773-C65R0L2IX02JW2CC0BH9/QJA_3b-5%282%29.jpg Jewish Communities https://www.correspondingwithkaplan.com/kaplan-listening-center-israel daily 0.75 2019-10-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545853981858-T1KA7LHCTH2ER35QDY2C/QJA_5b-6.jpg Israel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545853985177-UJSEMHQ667Z9M6M1WY1T/QJA_5b-6%282%29.jpg Israel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545853987603-Q42CRU5ZS0BV0G4F3QJR/QJA_5b-6%283%29.jpg Israel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545853902378-I3WP7XX5U6J5UFGH7TN5/QJA_5b-1.jpg Israel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545853937305-6U4UQVKSCF1MVWUZBJ7N/QJA_5b-1%282%29.jpg Israel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545853939235-8OXANGSHV07QCMK6JPOB/QJA_5b-1%283%29.jpg Israel https://www.correspondingwithkaplan.com/kaplan-listening-center-teaching-reconstructionism daily 0.75 2019-10-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545853411841-WDKQI26HC0XEIYQ3JP3H/QJA_6a-3.jpg Teaching Reconstructionism https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545853413234-ZUDN3SDG4R8Z74OYNXZZ/QJA_6a-3%282%29.jpg Teaching Reconstructionism https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545853414695-5I5ISHA9T68WS40OCE62/QJA_6a-3%283%29.jpg Teaching Reconstructionism https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545853374817-N772GC8KZCFDF41CETOC/QJA_5a-6.jpg Teaching Reconstructionism https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545853376777-3FCPFTJP0081J7AJUE4B/QJA_5a-6%282%29.jpg Teaching Reconstructionism https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1556234195801-B5HF2KK8AMO0FMW27W9E/QJA_5a-6%283%29.jpg Teaching Reconstructionism https://www.correspondingwithkaplan.com/kaplan-listening-center-jewish-identity daily 0.75 2019-10-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545593037109-UF26VQ08H328DGT594SS/QJA_3b-8.jpg Jewish Identity https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545593037128-3LYDZ0DFWDHKFZ6Z969T/QJA_3b-8%282%29.jpg Jewish Identity https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545592067286-P9NNR71AZ434JBDO15CD/QJA_6b-1%286%29.jpg Jewish Identity https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545592068024-K39NIY1AUJU16PU4G0AF/QJA_6b-1%287%29.jpg Jewish Identity https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545592616070-9KU11BOWX7RJXA84JMX9/QJA_6b-1.jpg Jewish Identity https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545592616223-2XUHAXWMWROWYXNSA55C/QJA_6b-1%282%29.jpg Jewish Identity https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545592618154-78ERHXTCK2CQOZYQZN7P/QJA_6b-1%283%29.jpg Jewish Identity https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bce1e1a70468007869c49f1/1545592618216-GYXJRC654DHQ7W1WUW0G/QJA_6b-1%284%29.jpg Jewish Identity https://www.correspondingwithkaplan.com/404 daily 0.75 2019-10-24