Mordecai Kaplan
Founder of Reconstructionist Judaism, adapting tradition for modern life.
Chronology: 1881-06-11 – 1983-11-08
Origins & Early Life
Mordecai Menahem Kaplan (Hebrew: מֹרְדֳּכַי מְנַחֵם קַפְלַן; June 11, 1881 – November 8, 1983) was an American Conservative rabbi, writer, Jewish educator, professor, theologian-philosopher, activist, and religious leader who founded the Reconstructionist movement of Judaism with his son-in-law, Rabbi Ira Eisenstein. He has been described as a "towering figure" in the recent history of Judaism for his influential work in adapting it to modern society, contending that Judaism should be a unifying and creative force by stressing the cultural and historical character of the religion as well as theological doctrine. == Early life and education == Mordecai Menahem Kaplan was born Mottel Kaplan in Sventiany in the Russian Empire (present-day Švenčionys in Lithuania) on June 11, 1881, the son of Haya (née Anna) and Rabbi Israel Kaplan. His father, who received semikhah (סְמִיכָה) by leading Lithuanian Jewish scholars, went to serve as a dayan (דַּיָּן, 'judge') in the court of Chief Rabbi Jacob Joseph in New York City in 1888.
Pivotal Works & Achievements
Mordecai was brought over to New York in 1889, at the age of nine. Although affiliated with the most traditional Orthodox Jewish institutions and personalities on the...
Enduring Legacy & Impact
The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.
Source: Wikipedia