Also known as Liberal Judaism and Progressive Judaism, Reform Judaism characterized by a de-emphasis on personal observance and ritual.
Reform Jews believe in a continuous revelation of God, and de-emphasize personal observance and ritual, while being more open to progressive influences. Individuals are considered to be autonomous, and unbound by Jewish Law.
The origins of Reform Judaism are in 19th century Germany. In the early 1800s, German Reformers sought to regenerate Jewish public worship by cutting out what they viewed as obsolete material, by introducing vernacular prayers, a weekly vernacular sermon, organ and choral music, and new ceremonies, such as confirmation.
The first Reform temple was constructed during the occupation of Westphalia by the French in 1810, but the French withdrawal ended that experiment. In Berlin, Reform Judaism was limited to a weekly home service in the home of Israel Jacobson. The first lasting Reform Temple was at Hamburg, built in 1818
The Reform movement spread throughout Germany to Austria, Denmark, France, and Hungary. In 1824, a Reformed movement began in South Carolina and, in January of 1842, the West London Synagogue was established.
By the late 1800s, the Reform movement was a dominant force in American Jewry.
Of Jews who are affiliated with a synagogue, Reform Judaism accounts for about a third of American Jews and a fifth of the Jews in Britain. There are smaller populations of Reform Jews in the countries of the former Soviet Union. The Reform movement is active in Israel, but not officially recognized.
Prominent Reform Jewish organizations include the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism, Liberal Judaism in Britain, the Movement for Reform Judaism, the Union for Reform Judaism, and the World Union for Progressive Judaism.
The various strands of Reform Judaism regard the Jewish religion as being a produce of constant evolution, rejecting the concept of a fixed set of beliefs, laws, or practices. Consequently, the theology of Reform Judaism tends to be ambiguous. Generally, a variety of positions have been tolerated or embraced.
The movement has maintained a theistic stance, holding to a belief in a personal God, although definitions vary.
The chief tenet of the Reform movement is the belief in an progressive revelation, one that is not limited to the Law given to Moses at Sinai. Reform Jews believe that the scripture of Judaism was written by human beings who, although divinely inspired, inserted their own understandings, and created a work that reflected the spirit of their times.
Reform Judaism emphasizes the ethics of the Jewish faith, while placing less stress on ceremony. The movement never abandoned traditional Jewish jurisprudence altogether, and selected features were reintroduced in the 1900s, although they are considered nonbinding on individuals.
The Reformers sought to adapt Judaism to secular ideas of rationalism. They rejected a belief in a future bodily resurrection of the dead as being irrational. Reform belief in an afterlife was confined to a belief in the immortality of the soul. Early Reform leaders believed in the immortal soul, but this concept proved difficult to maintain over the years. Although the various streams of Reform Judaism uphold the idea in theory, modern teachings on the subject have become ambiguous. For example, the 1999 Pittsburgh Statement of Principles refers to "the spirit within us is eternal."
Similarly, the idea of rewards and punishments in the afterlife is no longer clearly taught, although there remains a perception of anguish for the wicked, and bliss for the righteous.
Angels and heavenly hosts are rejected as a product of superstition.
One of the early changes that Reform Jews made was to the liturgy. Prayers were shortened by omitting repetitions and cutting other passages, as well as through a reintroduction of the triennial cycle of Torah reading. Vernacular segments were added alongside of the Hebrew and Aramaic text, and sometimes replaced the original text. Passages that referred to the coming Messiah, a return to Zion, the Resurrection of the Dead, and reward and punishment in the afterlife were replaced reworded or cut altogether.
The early Reformers cut several of the traditional Jewish holidays, and omitted much of the ritual from many of those that remained.
In the late 1900s, an internal movement known as New Reform resulted in a greater emphasis on the ceremonial aspects of Judaism, arguing that the minimalist approach had led to apathy within the membership. Jewish rituals which had originally been cut have become popular again, although sometimes reinterpreted.
The acceptance of New Reform has resulted in Reform Judaism competing with Conservative Judaism as a centrist movement.
Recommended Resources
Central Conference of American Rabbis
CCAR was founded by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wide in 1889. The largest and oldest rabbinical organization in the world, CCAR is the principal organization of Reform rabbis in North America. Primarily consisting of rabbis educated at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, its history, organizational structure, membership policies, constitution, bylaws, a calendar of events, and administrative contacts are posted.
https://www.ccarnet.org/
Also known as Reform Judaism or Progressive Judaism, Liberal Judaism is a modern form of Judaism that emphasizes the evolving nature of the faith and which leans more towards its ethical aspects than its ceremonial ones, and one that believes in a continuous revelation. An introduction to the movement is offered, along with its staff, organizational structure, institutions, programs, and events. An online shopping area is included.
https://www.liberaljudaism.org/
Created and maintained by the Union for Reform Judaism, with assistance from its affiliates and member congregations, the site offers several articles on various topics related to Reform Judaism. Topics include Jewish holidays and Jewish life issues, as well as informational topics, a history of the Reform Judaism movement, its practices, social justice programs, Israel, and a directory of Reform Jewish congregations.
https://reformjudaism.org/
Once the largest circulated Jewish magazine in the world, Reform Judaism was the official publication of the Union for Reform Judaism, linking Reform Jewish institutions and affiliated with Reform Jewish members. However, the magazine ceased publication with the Fall issue of 2014. Past issues are available for reading in its archive, which may be found by issue date or through its browse by subject featured.s.
https://reformjudaismmag.org/
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
RAC is the social justice arm of the Union for Reform Judaism and the Central Conference of American Rabbis and their affiliates. Created more than a half-century ago, the RAC has been active in Jewish social justice and legislative activities in Washington, DC, from the Civil Rights movement to LGBT equality projects. Resources available on its site includes tips for legislative action, resources for rabbis, congregational guides, and other publications.
https://rac.org/
Society for Classical Reform Judaism
The SCRJ is an advocacy organization for the progressive spiritual values and worship traditions of the Reform Judaism movement. Its mission and a profile of Classical Reform Judaism are put forth, along with the Pittsburgh Platform. Classical Reform congregations are identified, and the organization’s programs, services, and partnerships are set forth. Its publications are highlighted, along with ordering information and costs.
http://renewreform.org/
Formed in 1873 and formerly known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, URF is the congregational arm of Reform Judaism in North America. The official site presents a history of the movement, an overview of Reform Judaism, URJ communities, leadership, and organizational structure, as well as member information, press reports, financial statements, and career opportunities.
https://urj.org/
In operation for more than seventy-five years, the youth arm of the Union for Reform Judaism offers social, educational, and travel opportunities for Reform Jewish young people. Its history, mission, inclusion and special needs programs are highlighted, and its youth programs may be found by age, type, location, or by keyword search, and a printed brochure is available on request. Job opportunities are published to the site.
https://urjyouth.org/
Founded in 1913, the organization is an affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism and a significant part of the Reform Jewish movement. Membership information is featured on the site, along with a promotional video, its membership policies, and leadership programs. A calendar of upcoming conferences and other events, its philanthropic impact, social justice projects, and an online shopping area are included.
https://wrj.org/
World Union for Progressive Judaism
The WUPJ is a worldwide umbrella organization for the branches of Reform, Liberal, Progressive, and Reconstructionist Judaism. Representing affiliated synagogues in forty countries, the organization attempts to create a common ground between its constituents and to promote Progressive Judaism. Its history, leadership, and staff are identified, along with its leadership training and youth programs, community programs, and library.rk.
https://wupj.org/
