| York. Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise of Cincinnati, in 1873, succeeded in uniting a group of congregations to create the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) (see also "Organizational Structure"). BASIC BELIEFS: Judaism is a religion based on progressive revelation. Reform Judaism believes that the Bible describes their ancestors' search for the nature of God and The Creator's requirements of human beings. Developing human knowledge has brought further revelation of God's omnipresence (present in all places at all times), omnipotence (unlimited power), and omniscience (unlimited knowledge and insight). Prayer is our Way of communicating with God directly without any intercessor. For Jews, every soul is born with capacity for good and evil, but Judaism affirms life as good and seeks to endow it with spiritual and moral worth. Immortality of the soul is the inheritance of everyone, especially those who are remembered for good. All Jews subscribe to the Unity of God as expressed in the Sh'ma: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One." Reform Judaism bases its teachings primarily on the Bible (commonly referred to as the "Old Testament" by Christians and others). However, in recent years, it has developed a literature of optional rituals (see also "Worship"). 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, the latter in relation to other human beings. Reform Judaism emphasizes ethical social behavior and social justice for all and is the only stream within Judaism to have included Yom Hashoa (Holocaust Remembrance Day) on its official calendar. In addition to upholding and observing the Sabbath, Reform Judaism celebrates three Biblical Pilgrimage festivals, Pesah (Passover March or April), Shavuot (Pentecost May or June), and Succot (Tabernacles September or October), as well as Hanukkah (Feast of Lights November or December) and Purim (Feast of Esther February or March). Major emphasis is placed on observing Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), both occurring in September or October. Most Reform congregations observe Rosh Hashanah for one day, in keeping~ with the Bible. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: Reform Jewish Congregations are self governing religious communities, each of which elects its own rabbinic and lay leadership. Approximately 850 congregations as well as 14 regional Offices and 9 Camp Institutes are currently members of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC). Other national organizations, affiliates of UAHC, are the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, the North American Federation of Temple Brotherhoods, the National Federation of Temple Youth, the American Conference of Cantors, the Berit Milah Board, the National Associations of both Temple Educators and Administrators, and the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA). In 1875, UAHC created a training school for American Reform rabbis, the Hebrew Union College of Cincinnati, which now includes campuses in New York, Los Angeles, and Jerusalem, Israel. ROLE OF MINISTERS: The rabbi is the trained spiritual leader selected by the congregation to guide and represent the congregation. The cantor is a member of the congregational clergy whose major responsibility is the music of the synagogue, singing the liturgy, leading the congregation in prayer, and often is also the music and choir director. In addition, there are elected lay leaders, both in the Congregation and in the larger Jewish Community. WORSHIP: Jewish worship is distinguished by its congregational or group nature. There are set times for congregational worship and Reform Jews are expected to attend and participate in these. Reform Judaism has published prayer books for pub lie worship. Jews are also encouraged to have many home ceremonials in connection with the Sabbath and festivals, and to pray daily. Home prayer books have been published for use in home ceremonials and individual prayers. Public worship requires the Torah, or Scroll of the Law and its accouterments, prayer books, and Hebrew Bible. Skull caps and prayer shawls are optional. Pub lie worship takes place in a synagogue, usually oriented to the East so that worshipers earl pray facing Jerusalem. Every synagogue contains the ark which houses the Torah and adequate storage spade for worship equipment. DIETARY LAWS OR RESTRICTIONS: A matter of personal choice and congregational choice. FUNERAL AND BURIAL REQUIREMENTS: Anyone in the presence of a dying person may guide them in the expression of Vidui (confession) and the affirmation of faith (the Sh'ma), but the presence of a rabbi is valuable 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. Observance of traditional practices is a matter of personal choice, decided upon by the family in consultation with a rabbi. Autopsy is permitted when medically necessary, unless the family objects. Cremation is a matter of individual choice; most choose burial in the earth. MEDICAL TREATMENT: No restrictions. Acceptance and use of the latest medical advances for physical and mental health are encouraged. OTHER: While the basic philosophy of Judaism is the sanctification of life, it recognizes the necessity to preserve and defend one's country, without which the "sanctification of life" becomes a meaningless phrase. Jews have served in the military in all U.S. wars, to defend their country and to help maintain it free and strong. However, Judaism also upholds the right of any individual to object conscientiously to serve in the military. Throughout its history, Judaism has come in contact with many peoples, religions, and creeds. It has both influenced and been influenced by them; yet it retains its religious and cultural uniqueness and remains true to the basic principles of ethical monotheism which are its basic teachings. Judaism does not seek to supplant other religions, but rather to labor with them in fellowship to bring about universal peace and justice on earth, and the light of God to all of mankind. GENERAL SOURCE BOOKS: Programs and Services. New York: UAHC, n.d.. 34pp. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Richard Cohen Associates 30 East both St. New York, NY 10022 (212) 758-6969 |
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| Black Rose Spiritual Center, Inc : Belief Systems |
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| Reform Judaism |
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| ADDRESS: Union of American Hebrew Congregations 838 Fifth Avenue New York, New York 10021 OTHER NAMES BY WHICH KNOWN: UAHC; the "Union." LEADERSHIP: President: Rabbi Alexander M. Schindler. Qualified rabbis identify with Reform Judaism by joining the Central Conference of American Rabbis. Congregations identify themselves as Reform by joining the Union of American Hebrew Congregations in the U.S. and Canada, or the World Union for Progressive Judaism overseas (see also "Organizational Structure"). MEMBERSHIP: 850 Member congregations; 1.3 million members. HISTORICAL ORIGIN: Judaism's history is chronicled in the Bible, and subsequently detailed in post Biblical rabbinic literature. Of the three major branches of Judaism today, Reform Judaism, which began as a result of Jewish Emancipation in l9th century Germany and subsequent breakdown of the Ghetto walls, attempts to meet the demands of modern life by introducing modifications in traditional Jewish thought and practice. In the United States, the history of Reform Judaism began in 1824 when 47 members of Congregation Beth Elohim in Charleston, South Carolina, requested reforms in the ritual and the introduction of English prayers in the worship service. When the congregation rejected the request, a group of members withdrew and founded a new congregation on November 21, 1824, and named it "The Reformed Society of Israelites." While this congregation did not last, its example led to the creation of others, such as Har Sinai in Baltimore and Emanu El in New |
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