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Mordecai M. Kaplan

Rabbi Dr. Mordecai M. Kaplan
Mordecai Kaplan.jpg
Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan
Organisation Jewish Theological Seminary of America, Society for the Advancement of Judaism, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
Personal details
Birth name Mottel Kaplan
Born (1881-06-11)June 11, 1881
Sventiany, Russian Empire (now Švenčionys, Lithuania)
Died November 8, 1983(1983-11-08) (aged 102)
New York City, United States
Buried Glendale, New York
Nationality American
Denomination Orthodox Judaism, Conservative Judaism, Reconstructionist Judaism
Parents Rabbi Israel and Haya (Anna) Kaplan
Spouse Lena Rubin (c.1885–1958), Rivka Rieger
Children Dr. Judith Eisenstein, Hadassah Musher, Dr. Naomi Wenner and Selma Jaffe-Goldman
Semicha Jewish Theological Seminary of America

Mordecai Menahem Kaplan (June 11, 1881 – November 8, 1983), was a rabbi, essayist and Jewish educator and the co-founder of Reconstructionist Judaism along with his son-in-law Ira Eisenstein.

Kaplan was born in Švenčionys, Lithuania, to Rabbi Israel and Haya (Anna) Kaplan. In 1889, he emigrated to the United States with his mother and sisters to join his father in New York City who was working with the Chief Rabbi Jacob Joseph. He attended Etz Chaim Yeshiva in Manhattan for a short period. In 1895 Kaplan attended the City College of New York. From 1893 to 1902 he also studied at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. After graduating from CCNY in 1900 he went to Columbia University studying philosophy, sociology and education receiving a master's degree and a Doctorate. Majoring in philosophy, he wrote his Masters thesis on the ethical philosophy of Henry Sidgwick. His lecturers included the philosopher of ethical culture Felix Adler and the sociologist Franklin Giddings.

In July 1908 he married Lena Rubin. He received semikhah from Rabbi Isaac Jacob Reines while on his honeymoon. Kaplan began his career as an Orthodox rabbi at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, a synagogue in New York. In 1912, he was an advisor to the creators of the Young Israel movement of Modern Orthodox Judaism, together with Rabbi Israel Friedlander. He was a leader in creating the Jewish community center concept, and helped found the Society for the Advancement of Judaism.


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