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Reform Judaism
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Because of its unique views, Reform Judaism has plenty of critics in other divisions of Judaism. Many strains of Judaism, notably Orthodox, actually see Reform Judaism as detrimental to the entire religion (Malloy 312). Even the president of Israel, Moshe Katsav, refuses to call Reform ministers “Rabbi” because he views Reform Judaism as a deviant from true Jewish ideals (”Reform”). Though he describes it as a personal choice, President Katsav’s actions are backed by many other Jews. Whether it be their outright openness in support of gay and lesbian couples (”What”) or their belief in the rights of women, they have not won over many traditional friends.
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The founding of Reform Judaism in Israel marked a milestone in its evolution as a religious movement. In its initial formation, Reform Judaism rejected Zion as a central religious concept. The movement has since adopted resolutions supporting Zionism and is now a member of the World Zionist Organization. Reform Judaism now has an institutional presence in Israel that includes synagogues, schools, and kibbutzim. And yet, having "returned" to Zion, it is in Israel that the movement faces the greatest challenge regarding its religious identity and legitimacy. The large number of Reform Jews in the United States, as well as the formal separation of religion and state, preclude the question of religious legitimacy from arising in that country.
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Subject: Question 18.2.2: History: Why did Reform Judaism start? Answer: To answer this question, one must look at the environment in which Reform was born. This was the time of the French Revolution, a time when European Jews were (for the first time), recognized as citizens of the countries in which they lived. Ghettos were being abolished, special badges were no more, people could settle where they pleased, dress as they liked, and follow the occupations that they wanted. Many Jews settled outside of Jewish districts, and began to live like their neighbors and speak the language of the land. They went to public schools and univeristies, and began to neglect Jewish studies and to disregard the Shulchan Aruch.
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The classical approach of Reform Judaism was based on the views of Rabbi Samuel Holdheim (1806-1860), leader of Reform Judaism in Germany. He believed that Reform Judaism should be based soley upon monotheism and morality. Almost everything connected with Jewish law and custom was of the ancient past, and was no longer appropriate for Jews to follow in the modern era. This approach was the dominant form of Reform Judaism from its creation until the 1940s. Since the 1940s the American Reform movement has slowly begun distancing itself from its previous stances. Reform Jews no go to Temples on Saturday, have some Hebrew in their religious services, and on a voluntary basis follow some of the various Jewish laws and customs.
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Know that Reform Judaism is different from Traditional Judaism. Primarily, Reform Judaism is not against inter-faith marriages, and encourage conversion to Judaism. Reform Jews consider children to be Jewish if they have one Jewish parent, and the child is raised Jewish. Homosexuals are accepted. And lastly, they look upon women as equal to men in all aspects of the religion.
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The practices of Progressive Judaism are anchored in Jewish thought and tradition. They seek to extend the range of observance by granting full equality to all Jews, irrespective of gender and sexual orientation - while challenging laws that are contrary to Judaism's fundamental principles.
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Reform Judaism