Reconstructing a Chosenness Without Superiority: A Covenantal Ethic for Jewish Peoplehood
March 29, 2026
Chosenness, rightly understood, should make Jews more committed to the dignity and flourishing of non-Jews, not less.
Marc Overbeck has been a member of Reconstructing Judaism’s Board of Governors since October 2020 and currently serves as Chair of the Reconstructionist Plenum, in addition to the Admissions Committee of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. He twice served as president of Temple Beth Sholom in Salem, Oregon.
He works as Director of Government Relations for Southern Oregon University. He spent 30 years working for the Oregon state government where he dealt with both the theoretical and practical aspects of higher education.
Marc earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from Willamette University and also studied at Birkbeck College, University of London, where he served as a Hansard Scholar and research assistant for former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
He lives in Salem with his wife of nearly 34 years, Deborah Bellemore. Together they have a 29-year old daughter, Shayna, with whom Marc loves to speak and discuss faith-based topics and the power of spirituality to enable us to be our greatest selves.
Chosenness, rightly understood, should make Jews more committed to the dignity and flourishing of non-Jews, not less.
Theodor Herzl supported a Jewish state, but not at the expense of humanistic and democratic ideals that allow all people to share equally in the benefits of the state.
Serving as central organization of the Reconstructionist movement
Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis
Modeling respectful conversations on pressing Jewish issues
Curating original, Jewish rituals, and convening Jewish creatives
