| 1902, who became the acknowledged leader and spokesman of Conservative Judaism. In 1935, a number of students and followers of Mordecai Kaplan's views initiated the Reconstructionist movement. BASIC BELIEFS: Judaism is a religion based on continuing revelation; at the core of this revelation is the doctrine of ethical monotheism. The Ever living God and Infinite Creator is both transcendent and immanent; He is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient. He hears prayer, and the pure in heart may commune with Him directly without any intercession. Man is free and is not tainted with Original Sin. Judaism affirms life as good and seeks to endow it with spiritual and moral worth. The Jewish affirmation of faith emphasizes God's unity and is expressed in the Sh'ma: "Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God, The Lord is One." Authoritative Jewish literature includes the Bible, the Talmud, the Responsa literature, and the Codes. An authoritative Code is the Shulhan Arukh by Joseph Caro. PRACTICES AND BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS: Judaism is a religion of deed rather than creed. The deeds required of a Jew are both ritual and ethical, the former in relation to God and the latter in relation to one's fellow man. In Conservative Judaism, the process of legal interpretation of Jewish law and ritual is vested in the Law Committee of the Rabbinical Assembly, which, by discussion and vote, preserves the viability and adaptability of Jewish law to contemporary life. Ethics is inseparable from religion in Judaism, and the deepest concern of the Torah in its broadest sense is morality, both individual and social. The Sabbath (Shabbat) is a day of rest on which all manner of work is forbidden. Other days of obligation are the New Year (Rosh Hashanah); the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur); and the pilgrimage festivals of Tabernacles (Sukkot), Passover (Pesach), and Pentecost (Shavuot). Rosh Hashanah lasts for two days. Sukkot lasts for seven days, the first two of which are days of obligation. While work is permitted on the intermediate days of the holiday, it is nevertheless required that all meals be eaten outside in a sukkah (booth). Sukkot is followed immediately by Shemini Atzeret and Simhat Torah, both days of obligation. Pesach lasts for eight days. While only the first two and last two days are days of obligation, dietary restrictions remain in force during the entire holiday. Shavuot is observed for two days, both days of obligation. The post biblical festivals of Hanukkah and Purim do not constitute days of obligation, although it is required that certain religious rituals be performed. On Hanukkah, for example, it is necessary to kindle a Menorah on each of eight nights. On Purim it is required to hear the reading of the Megillah, or Scroll of Esther. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: The national organization is the United Synagogue of America. Its auxiliary organizations are the Women's League of the United Synagogue,established in 1918 (now called the Women's League for Conservative Judaism); United Synagogue Youth, successor to the Young People's League of the United Synagogue, organized in 1921; and the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs, formed in 1929. The Jewish Theological Seminary (J.T.S.) founded in 1866 is the Conservative rabbinical school. The Rabbinical Assembly began as a J.T.S. alumni association, but now includes Conservative rabbis who are not graduates of J.T.S. Professional organizations closely linked to The United Synagogue include the Jewish Educators Assembly, National Association of Synagogue Administrators and the Jewish Youth Directors Association. ROLE OF MINISTERS: Within Judaism, the priestly function is not vested in any one individual or group. The rabbi is the appointed spiritual leader who guides and represents the congregation. In addition, there are elected lay leaders, both in the congregation and in the larger Jewish community. WORSHIP: Group worship is required. What is distinctive about Jewish worship is its congregational or group character. Congregational worship has led to the adoption of certain conventions, such as the "minyan," or ten adults who constitute the minimum number for holding public worship. Any knowledgeable Jew may conduct worship services. Although there are fixed times for public worship, the Jew finds ample opportunity in daily life to offer thanks and praise to God. The only requirement for private as well as for public worship is that a Jew approach God with "clean hands and a pure heart," that the prayers be prompted by sincerity and integrity. Items required for formal worship are the Torah or Scroll of the Law and its accouterments, prayer books, Hebrew Bible, skullcaps, and prayer shawls. In addition to providing the Ark that houses the Torah and adequate storage space for the above enumerated items, the facility for worship should be in keeping with the solemn dignity of the activity of prayer. DIETARY LAWS OR RESTRICTIONS: The dietary laws constitute a size able literature, beginning with the biblical prohibitions in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. These were later expanded considerably by rabbinic interpretation and include, among other things, the prohibitions against eating the flesh of certain animals and against the mixing of milk and meat. FUNERAL AND BURIAL REQUIREMENTS: Anyone in the presence of a dying person may guide him in the expression of Vidui (confession) and the affirmation of faith (the Sh'ma), but the presence of a rabbi is important both for guidance and consolation. The purpose of Jewish funeral and burial requirements is both to honor the deceased and to provide comfort to the mourners. The requirements include ritual cleansing of the body, clothing the body in white linen, shrouds and prayer shawl, and the use of a simple wooden coffin. The funeral service is simple and prescribed by Jewish law. Following the burial, close relatives observe a mourning period, which is normally seven days. Autopsy is permitted when the health of the community is benefited, the ends of justice are promoted, or medical science is advanced. Cremation is not permitted; burial in the earth is required. MEDICAL TREATMENT: Jews have always held physicians in great esteem as instruments through whom God could effect a cure. Good health is considered both an individual obligation and a group responsibility, and medical treatment is one means to help achieve good health. OTHER: With respect to military service, as early as the colonial period, Jews served in the militia. During the War of Independence and in all subsequent wars, Jews have served in the armed forces as a necessary act of defending their country and of helping to maintain it free and strong. GENERAL SOURCE BOOKS: Klein, Isaac. A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice. New York: Jewish Theological Society of America, 1979. 588pp. Steinberg, Milton. Basic Judaism. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World,1947. 172pp. Waxman, Mordecai. Tradition and Change: The Development of Conservative Judaism. New York: Burning Bush Press, 1970. 477pp. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Rabbi Jerome M. Epstein Executive Vice President The United Synagogue or The United Synagogue of America Rapaport House 155 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10010 (212) 533 7800 Fax: (212) 353 9439 or Rabbinical Assembly 3080 Broadway New York, NY 10027 (212) 678 8060 |
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| Black Rose Spiritual Center, Inc : Belief Systems |
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| Conservative Judaism |
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| ADDRESS: The United Synagogue of America Rapaport House 155 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10010 LEADERSHIP: Judaism has no single world leader. Conservative Jewish congregations constitute autonomous religious communities, each of which elects its own rabbinic and lay leadership. However, the United Synagogue, the umbrella organization of these congregations, elects lay leaders to represent the interests of Conservative Judaism in national and international forums, and to help coordinate and enhance the work of member congregations. The current president is Alan J. Tichnor. Rabbi Jerome M. Epstein serves as the Executive Vice President/Chief Executive Officer of the organization. MEMBERSHIP: The United Synagogue represents over 800 Conservative congregations throughout North America and is closely associated with the Masorti Movement in Israel. Some 2 million Jews identify with Conservative Judaism, making it the largest branch of the Jewish faith. HISTORICAL ORIGIN: Judaism's earliest history is chronicled in the Bible and its subsequent development is detailed in the vast, post biblical rabbinic literature. Of the three major branches in Judaism today, Conservative Judaism, which began in the middle of the l9th century, opposes extreme changes in traditional practice but does permit certain modifications in observance. The Conservative movement in the U.S. began as a reaction against the radical stand of the Reform Rabbis at the Pittsburgh conference in 1885. Rabbi Sabato Morais, leader of the dissenting group, helped organize the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York in 1886. It was, however, Solomon Schechter, called to head the Jewish Theological Seminary in |
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