WETHERSFIELD – Connecticut is home to only one Reconstructionist congregation, Temple B’nai Israel in Willimantic. The movement, founded in New York in the early 20th century by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, will now have a second outlet. Rabbi Seth Riemer, spiritual leader of Temple Beth Torah in Wethersfield, will offer introductory Shabbat-morning services on Saturday, Jan. 29 at 9:30 a.m..
Ordained at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 1992, Riemer has led Temple Beth Torah, an unaffiliated egalitarian congregation, since 2008.

Rabbi Seth Riemer

Prior to his current position, he served as rabbi of a Conservative synagogue in Connecticut for more than a decade, and an unaffiliated congregation in Ohio that became Reconstructionist.
In 2009, Riemer founded Beyond The Pale Jewish Theater Experiment as one way to introduce Reconstructionist ideas and processes in the greater Hartford area. “I’m also interested in fostering prayer activity consistent with Reconstructionist values,” he says. “I long for a Shabbat-morning community of worship.”
Riemer hopes that a regular havurah will result. “This Reconstructionist havurah idea, while not a Temple Beth Torah activity, reflects the congregation’s openness to my interests,” he says. “The congregation has graciously welcomed my desire to engage in spiritual outreach to the larger community and, in general, to try new things.”
The Reconstructionist Shabbat service is meant to provide a new religious resource for the Jewish community, as well as for anyone interested in learning about Judaism, Riemer says. “This offers an alternative, particularly for people who would like to be connected to Jewish worship but don’t necessarily feel that their religious needs are addressed by the existing structures and practices. However, I’m not trying to supplant what exists. I have great respect for all branches of Judaism; it’s just that many Jews, and others interested in Judaism, don’t see a place for themselves in the familiar Orthodox-Conservative-Reform spectrum.”
Reconstructionism draws inspiration from all parts of the Jewish religious-cultural spectrum, Riemer says: “Orthodox Judaism’s affirmation of Jewish tradition’s commitment to spiritual community, Hasidism’s recognition of song and chant as powerful tools for creating community and spirituality, Orthodox and Conservative Judaism’s reverence for Jewish worship tradition, Conservative and Reform Judaism’s commitment to the scientific study of Jewish Holy Scripture and their affirmation of the Hebrew prophets’ devotion to social justice, Reform Judaism’s desire to innovate on worship tradition and its unapologetic commitment to modern living, and secular Jews’ embrace of feminism, Zionism, and democracy. At the same time, Reconstructionism offers unique, completely new elements.”
For example, Reconstructionists believe in God but not in the traditional conception of a divine “person” who intervenes supernaturally in human history, Riemer says. “Instead, we talk about human potential – to promote justice and kindness, advance peace, affirm nature’s sacredness, and explore our own creativity – as reflections of a divine process at work in the universe,” he says. Rather than subscribing to the traditional idea of a personal Messiah, Reconstructionists instead affirm the Jewish people’s faith in a Messianic era of peace and justice. “And we do not believe that the Jews are God’s ‘chosen people,'” Riemer says. “Instead, we affirm that the Jews, along with other peoples, have unique contributions to make to the world. Reconstructionists recognize, and honor but do not gloat over, the fact that the Jews were the first to articulate a liberation narrative. That is, the Jews, in the Exodus story, came up with the idea that freedom – to live in dignity and prosperity, and with justice – is the birthright of all people. It is thus our duty as Jews to work with all freedom-loving people to continue to promote that idea.”
The Shabbat-morning services will be accessible to beginners as well as to those familiar with traditional worship forms, will involve opportunities for learning, Riemer says, through discussion and group reflections. A kiddush will follow the service. “The only requirements for participation are one’s spirituality, curiosity, and an open mind,” he says.
For more information, contact Rabbi Seth Riemer: (860) 665-8014 / sethriemer@aol.com.