The reform movement in Judaism has historically started in the 19th century in Germany Over
time, it has given rise to a set of Jewish beliefs and practices separate from Orthodox
Judaism.
The term Reform Judaism is today used for a confessional division within Judaism especially
in North America and in the United Kingdom.
"Reform Judaism" used as a proper name specifically refers to two denominations, American Reform
Judaism and British Reform Judaism.
For historical reasons, there is a disparity between British and American terminology.
British "Reform Judiasm" is more conservative than American "Reform Judaism"; American "Reform
Judaism" approximately corresponds to what in Britain is known as "Liberal Judaism",
and British "Reform Judaism" approximately corresponds to what in America is known as
"Conservative Judaism".
"Reconstructionist Judaism" is an offshoot of "Conservative Judaism".
A World Union for Progressive Judaism was formed in 1926 with the aim of providing an
umbrella organization for the "Reform", "Liberal", "Progressive" and "Reconstructionist" movements,
now summarized under the term "Progressive Judaism".
Reform movement in Judaism
In general, the Reform movement in Judaism maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions
should be modernized and compatible with participation in Western culture.
This means many branches of Reform Judaism hold that Jewish law should undergo a process
of critical evaluation and renewal.
Traditional Jewish law is therefore often interpreted as a set of general guidelines
rather than as a list of restrictions whose literal observance is required of all Jews.
Along with other forms of non-orthodox Judaism, the North American Reform, UK Reform, UK Liberal
Judaism and Israeli Progressive Movement can all trace their intellectual roots to the
Reform movement in Judaism which emerged in nineteenth-century Germany.
Elements of Orthodoxy developed their cohesive identity in reaction to the Reform movement
in Judaism.
Although North American Reform, UK Reform, UK Liberal Judaism and Israeli Progressive
Judaism all share an intellectual heritage, they occupy different positions on the non-orthodox
spectrum.
The North American Reform movement and UK Liberal Judaism are situated at the more radical
end.
The North American Conservative movement and Masorti Judaism occupy the more conservative
end of the non-orthodox Judaisms, and are not regarded as forms of Reform Judaism at
all.
The UK Reform and Israeli Progressive movements come somewhere in between.
Reform Judaism in North America
Reform Judaism and Orthodox Judaism are the two largest denominations of American Jews
today.
In a 2013 opinion poll, 35% of American Jews described themselves as Reform Jews, but in
terms of actual membership Reform Judaism with an estimated 670,000 members was roughly
the same size as Orthodox Judaism in 2013.
However, Reform Judaism accounts for the largest number of Jews affiliated with Progressive
Judaism worldwide.
It was founded by Rabbi Isaac M. Wise in Cincinnati, Ohio in the mid-1800s.
Official bodies of the Reform Movement in North America include the Union for Reform
Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute
of Religion.
Reform Judaism in the UK
UK Reform and Liberal Judaism are the two Progressive movements in the UK.
For details on the relationship between the two progressive movements, see Progressive
Judaism.
Progressive Judaism in Israel
After a failed attempt in the 1930s to start an Israeli movement, the World Union for Progressive
Judaism tried again in the 1970s and created the movement.
While calling itself "Israeli Progressive Movement" at first to stress its independence
from the American counterpart, it officially changed its name to "The Reform Movement - Progressive
Judaism in Israel" in 2009.
See also Beliefs and practices in Progressive Judaism
Cantor in Reform Judaism Liberal Judaism
Progressive Judaism Reform Judaism
References
External links Official sites
ReformJudaism.org Union for Reform Judaism
RJ.org: Official news site of the Union for Reform Judaism
World Union for Progressive Judaism Central Conference of American Rabbis
Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion Other resources
Research and articles about Reform Judaism on the Berman Jewish Policy Archive @ NYU
Wagner Reform Judaism FAQ on Soc.Culture.Jewish Newsgroups