Rabbi Benjamin Barnett

Benjamin Barnett was ordained at RRC in 2006 and is currently the rabbi of Havurah Shalom in Portland, Oregon. In that role, he strives to listen deeply and serve as a loving presence, supporting growth, healing and connection in the lives of individuals and within the community. He is passionate about building relationships across religious and cultural lines. As a devoted practitioner and teacher of contemplative Jewish prayer and meditation, he works to inform his pursuit of justice alongside others with the wisdom and compassion born of spiritual practice. Prior to becoming a rabbi, Benjamin worked with mentally ill adults and led wilderness expeditions for teenagers. He lives in Portland with his wife, Rachel, and their children, Lev, Arava and Judah. He teaches on various contemplative retreats in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere. For information about them, he can be reached through the Havurah Shalom website

Essays

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Hineinu: Being Here with Truth

January 6, 2020

Acknowledging uncomfortable truths can be liberating. White-identified American Jews can look directly at the fact that they have benefited from government policies and programs that were granted at the expense of people of color.

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The Reconstructionist Network

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Serving as central organization of the Reconstructionist movement

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Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis

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Modeling respectful conversations on pressing Jewish issues

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Curating original, Jewish rituals, and convening Jewish creatives

Read & Rite

One-stop shop for progressive Jewish books and ritual objects

Havaya Summer Programs

Overnight summer camp and teen Israel experience

Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association

Professional association of Reconstructionist rabbis

Placement Office

Placement resources for rabbis and congregations

Reconstructionist Educators of North America

Professional group for people leading schools in Reconstructionist congregations

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The Reconstructionist Network

A blank white square with no visible content.
A pure white, blank image with no distinguishable features or content.
A blank white square image.

Read & Rite

One-stop shop for progressive Jewish books and ritual objects

Placement Office

Placement resources for rabbis and congregations

Havaya Summer Programs

Overnight summer camp and teen Israel experience

Reconstructionist Educators of North America

Professional group for people leading schools in Reconstructionist congregations

Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association

Professional association of Reconstructionist rabbis