- About Us
About Us
Learn more about the work of the Rabbinical Assembly, the global association of Conservative/Masorti rabbis, shaping and strengthening Jewish life worldwide through scholarship, leadership, and service since 1901.
- Hire a Rabbi
Hire a Rabbi
Find a rabbi to serve as a leader, educator, and guide, grounding your community in Jewish tradition and values to navigate the complexities of today’s world.
- Our Torah
Our Torah
Explore our RA bookstore, articles on Exploring Judaism, teshuvot of the Committee on Jewish Law & Standards (CJLS), our Tzedek Center, holiday guides, and more.
You Shall Strengthen Them: A Rabbinic Letter on the Poor
You Shall Strengthen Them: A Rabbinic Letter on the Poor, was derived from earlier published essays
Ushpizin
This ready-to-use text, which includes commentary and kavanot, has been excerpted from Or Hadash: A Commentary on Siddur Sim Shalom.
Seder N'tilat Lulav
This ready-to-use text, which includes commentary and kavanot, has been excerpted from Or Hadash: A Commentary on Siddur Sim Shalom.
Hakafot
This ready-to-use text, which includes commentary and kavanot on the Hakafot for Simhat Torah, has been excerpted from Or Hadash: A Commentary on Siddur Sim Shalom.
Simhat Torah Songsheet
This ready-to-use songsheet was compiled by Ashira Konigsburg, Assistant Director of Rabbinic Services, RA.
Purim Song Sheet
This 1-page song sheet, prepared by Yossi Hoffman, contains the text, transliteration, and translation of popular songs for Purim.
Prayer in Memory of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
September 25, 2020
By Rabbi Joshua Ratner
Holy One of Blessing,
We pray that you grant eternal rest in Your sheltering presence to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Yita Ruchel bat Tzirel Leah, who passed away on Erev Rosh Hashanah, Friday, September...
Ten Days of Voting Engagement
September 18, 2020
The ten days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, the עשרת ימי תשובה, offer an opportunity for each of us to effectuate teshuvah before our fates are sealed in the heavenly accounting of our past year’s conduct. It is a time not only...
Selihot Night Live Updates and Links to Recordings
September 15, 2020
We are pleased to share that we had over 24,000 views! We are so grateful to our more than 60 rabbis, cantors, and educators who presented, and to over 200 synagogues and communities that partnered with us.
Links to recordings can be found on our...
Download Our Rosh Hashanah Seder
In these extraordinary times, we know that many of you are exploring ways to pray as a community while engaging in social distancing. We are making a PDF file of our Rosh Hashanah seder available via this form.
We are so...
Lulav/Etrog During COVID-19 -- 5781
September 3, 2020
O.H. 651:7
By Rabbi Aaron Alexander and Rabbi Joshua Heller[1]
Please note that this is not an official responsum of the CJLS.
During the COVID pandemic, are there changes as to how Lulav and Etrog should be taken? Is it appropriate to...
Advice for Sukkah Use and Sukkah Building in the Time of COVID-19
September 3, 2020
Rabbi Joshua Heller[1]
Please note that this is not an official responsum of the CJLS.
O.H. 630:1
Sukkah is one of the most beautiful and meaningful mitzvot in our tradition. Under normal circumstances, we are encouraged to eat and...
Sukkot/Shemini Atzeret/Simhat Torah Guidance for Communities Affected by COVID-19
September 3, 2020
The CJLS is working on providing guidance for Sukkot/Shemini Atzeret/Simhat Torah. This page will be updated as new material is written. These letters of guidance are not official responsa of the CJLS because the CJLS wants to offer them to you in...
Watch Now: Simhat Torah Idea Slam
WATCH THE RECORDING
Recorded on Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Presenters: Sam Blustin, Randy Mark, Deborah Zuker
Brainstorm Simhat Torah services and programming with peers in a guided workshop of collaboration & sharing. How can we...
Hoikhe Kedushah on Yamim Noraim
August 31, 2020
Prepared by Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky
Please note that this is not an official responsum of the CJLS.
The exigent circumstances of the Covid pandemic challenge Masorti communities on how to manage tefillot this Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. The...
Washing on Yom Kippur
August 31, 2020
By Rabbi Aaron Alexander
Please note that this is not an official responsum of the CJLS.
Do the restrictions on washing hands, etc.. during Yom Kippur apply this year, considering the benefits of hygiene in slowing the spread of...