Reform Judaism, also known as Liberal Judaism or Progressive Judaism, is a major Jewish denomination that emphasizes the evolving nature of Judaism, the superiority of its ethical aspects to its ceremonial ones, and belief in a continuous revelation which is closely intertwined with human reason and not limited to the Theophany at Mount Sinai. A highly liberal strand of Judaism, it is characterized by little stress on ritual and personal observance, regarding Jewish law as non-binding and the individual Jew as autonomous, and by a great openness to external influences and progressive values.
The origins of Reform Judaism lie in mid-19th-century Germany, where Rabbi Abraham Geiger and his associates formulated its early principles, attempting to harmonize Jewish tradition with modern sensibilities in the age of emancipation. Brought to America by German-trained rabbis, the denomination gained prominence in the United States, flourishing from the 1860s to the 1930s in an era known as "Classical Reform". Since the 1970s, the movement has adopted a policy of inclusiveness and acceptance, inviting as many as possible to partake in its communities rather than adhering to strict theoretical clarity. It is strongly identified with progressive and liberal agendas in political and social terms, mainly under the traditional Jewish rubric tikkun olam ("repairing of the world"). Tikkun olam is a central motto of Reform Judaism, and acting in its name is one of the main channels for adherents to express their affiliation. The movement's most significant center today is in North America.
Various regional branches exist, including the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) in the United States, the Movement for Reform Judaism (MRJ) and Liberal Judaism in the United Kingdom, the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) in Israel, and the UJR-AmLat in Latin America; these are united within the international World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ). Founded in 1926, the WUPJ estimates it represents at least 1.8 million people in 50 countries, about 1 million of which are registered adult congregants, and the rest are unaffiliated but identify with the movement. This makes Reform the second-largest Jewish denomination worldwide, after Orthodox Judaism. Conservative Judaism, the third largest Jewish denomination, places itself between Orthodox and Reform Judaism in terms of adhesion to and interpretation of Talmudic traditions.
ReformJudaism, also known as Liberal Judaism or Progressive Judaism, is a major Jewish denomination that emphasizes the evolving nature of Judaism, the...
Conservative and ReformJudaism are more liberal, with Conservative Judaism generally promoting a more traditionalist interpretation of Judaism's requirements...
The Union for ReformJudaism (URJ), formerly known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) until 2003, founded in 1873 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer...
ReformJudaism, formally the Movement for ReformJudaism (MRJ) and known as Reform Synagogues of Great Britain until 2005, is one of the two World Union...
Conversion to Judaism (Hebrew: גִּיּוּר, romanized: giyur or Hebrew: גֵּרוּת, romanized: gerut) is the process by which non-Jews adopt the Jewish religion...
Conservative Judaism (known as Masorti Judaism outside North America) is a Jewish religious movement that regards the authority of Jewish law and tradition...
ultratraditionalist and Modern Orthodox branches) and modernist movements such as ReformJudaism originating in late 18th century Europe, Conservative (Masorti) originating...
Orthodox Judaism, Conservative Judaism, and ReformJudaism. Baruch Spinoza, Mordecai Kaplan, and prominent atheists have criticized Judaism because its...
Reconstructionist Judaism is recognized by many scholars as one of the five major streams of Judaism in America alongside Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Humanistic...
Conservative Judaism, whereas ReformJudaism and Reconstructionist Judaism accept full Jewishness through either parent; Reform responsa, however, requires...
The American Conference of Cantors is an affiliate of the Union for ReformJudaism. In 2013 Mark C. Goldman became the first openly gay president of the...
Humanistic Judaism was founded in either 1963 or 1965 (sources differ) by American Rabbi Sherwin Wine. As a rabbi trained in ReformJudaism with a small...
The Messiah in Judaism (Hebrew: מָשִׁיחַ, romanized: māšīaḥ) is a savior and liberator figure in Jewish eschatology who is believed to be the future redeemer...
Orthodox Judaism is the collective term for the traditionalist branches of contemporary Judaism. Theologically, it is chiefly defined by regarding the...
there is a Reform view that the shul or synagogue is a modern Temple; hence, "Temple" appears in numerous congregation names in ReformJudaism. Indeed,...
Women in Judaism have affected the course of Judaism over millenia. Their role is reflected in the Hebrew Bible, the Oral Law (the corpus of rabbinic...
Judaism does not centralize authority in any single individual or group. The formulation of principles of faith that are universally recognized by all...
Reform Zionism, also known as Progressive Zionism, is the ideology of the Zionist arm of the Reform or Progressive branch of Judaism. The Association of...
Roots of ReformJudaism is an advocacy group within the constituency of the American Union for ReformJudaism. The group's primary focus is a return to...
Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ; Hebrew: התנועה הרפורמית – יהדות מתקדמת בישראל) is the organizational branch of Progressive Judaism in Israel...
day... (Emet ve-Emunah: Statement of Principles of Conservative Judaism) ReformJudaism generally concurs with the more liberal Conservative perspective...
Interfaith marriage in Judaism (also called mixed marriage or intermarriage) was historically looked upon with very strong disfavor by Jewish leaders...
Modern Orthodox Judaism (also Modern Orthodox or Modern Orthodoxy) is a movement within Orthodox Judaism that attempts to synthesize Jewish values and...
rabbi and scholar who is considered the founding father of ReformJudaism. Emphasizing Judaism's constant development through its history and universalist...
Messianic Judaism (Hebrew: יַהֲדוּת מְשִׁיחִית or יהדות משיחית, Yahadút Mešiḥít)[needs IPA] is a modernist[how?] and syncretic sect that considers itself...