Movement for Reform Judaism
Movement for Reform Judaism | |
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Abbreviation | MRJ |
Theology | Reform Judaism |
Chief Executive | Rabbi Josh Levy |
President | Sir Trevor Chinn |
Joint vice-chairs |
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Associations | World Union for Progressive Judaism |
Region | United Kingdom |
Headquarters | Sternberg Centre, London |
Origin | 4 January 1942 Midland Hotel, Manchester |
Congregations | 42 |
Members | 16,125 households |
Official website | reformjudaism |
World Union for Progressive Judaism |
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Regional affiliates |
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Reform Judaism, formally the Movement for Reform Judaism (MRJ) and known as Reform Synagogues of Great Britain until 2005, is one of the two
Belief and practice
The denomination shares the basic tenets of Reform Judaism (alternatively known also as Progressive or Liberal) worldwide: a
Although Reform Judaism in the UK does subscribe to these views, held also by
Reform liturgy had always contained a high proportion of
Recognition of Jews by patrilineal descent was affirmed in 2015.
Organisational structure
As of 2023, Reform Judaism has 42 synagogues, of which 40 are located in England, and, among those, 12 in Greater London. There is one congregation in Cardiff and one in Glasgow.[11] As of 2010, Reform Judaism had 16,125 member households, accounting for 19.4% of synagogue-affiliated Jewish families in Britain and roughly 14% of the total Jewish population.[12]
All of the synagogues are autonomous, owned and financed by their members who also hire their own local
Through its work for the welfare and development of young people, Reform Judaism is a member of the
Prior to Levy taking office, MRJ's board was led by the joint Vice-Chairs, Michael Harris and Paul Langsford. Rabbis Kathleen Middleton and James Baaden co-chair the Assembly of Reform Rabbis and Cantors,[17]. Rabbi Jackie Tabick was Convenor of the Reform Bet Din until 2023.[18] She was succeeded by Rabbi Jonathan Romain. Sir Trevor Chinn is President.[19]
History
In the 1820s and 1830s, a small intellectual current arose in English Jewry, influenced by the
Concurrently, wealthy members of the
Although the term "Reform" was occasionally conferred on the congregation,
In 1856, tensions in Manchester were increasing, as many in the community sought greater autonomy from the authoritarian new Chief Rabbi
At the turn of the century,
The first of the three breakaway synagogues to adopt full-fledged Reform Judaism was West London. After the retirement of Rabbi Joseph in 1929, it hired Harold F Reinhart, a
A movement only arose with the arrival of some 40,000 Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany. While worldwide Reform Judaism originated there, the nature of German communities limited what was known as "Liberal Judaism" to the status of a tendency within unified congregations which had to accommodate traditionalist members. German Liberals were relatively conservative (for example, maintaining mainly-Hebrew liturgy, head coverings for men, and separate seating for men and for women), and found the British Liberal synagogues far too radical. The moderation of the independent nonconformist ones suited them better, and immigrants overwhelmed West London and the others. They also brought along a cadre of 35 Hochschule-trained rabbis, most prominently Ignaz Maybaum and Werner van der Zyl who were aided by Reinhart in finding new posts at Britain. Harmonising ritual and religious approach to a great measure, they made their loosely related communities quite uniform. One that remained independent and strongly clung to German Liberal worship was Belsize Square Synagogue.
On 4 January 1942, representatives from the West London, North Western,
On 17 April 2023, Reform Judaism and the Liberal movement announced their intention to merge and form a single progressive Jewish movement.[2][3]
Notable Reform rabbis
Living people
- Rabbi Tony Bayfield (born 1946), head of the Movement for Reform Judaism from 1994 (when the organisation was known as Reform Synagogues of Great Britain) until 2011,[22] and former President of the Movement for Reform Judaism (2011–16)[19][22]
- Rabbi Mark Goldsmith (born 1963), Senior Rabbi at Edgware & Hendon Reform Synagogue since 2019[23]
- Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner (born 1963), broadcaster and former Senior Rabbi to the Movement for Reform Judaism (2011–20);[24][25] Rabbi at Bromley Reform Synagogue since 2022[26]
- Rabbi Josh Levy, Chief Executive of the Movement of Reform Judaism since May 2023[15]
- Rabbi Professor Jonathan Magonet (born 1942), who was the first full-time principal of Leo Baeck College (1985–2005)[27][28]
- Rabbi Julia Neuberger, Baroness Neuberger (born 1950), former Senior Rabbi at West London Synagogue and the second woman to be ordained as a rabbi in the UK[29]
- Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain (born 1954), writer, broadcaster and minister of Maidenhead Synagogue
- Rabbi Sybil Sheridan (born 1953), Chair of the Assembly of Reform Rabbis UK (2013–15);[30] Rabbi at Newcastle Reform Synagogue and previously Rabbi at West London Synagogue
- Rabbi Jackie Tabick (born 1948), Britain's first female rabbi in 1975, and convenor of the Movement for Reform Judaism's Beit Din since 2012, the first woman in the role[18]
Historical figures
- Rabbi Lionel Blue (1930–2016), broadcaster and former European Director of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
- Rabbi Hugo Gryn (1928–1996), broadcaster and Senior Rabbi at West London Synagogue
References
- ^ OPINION: Together, Liberal and Reform Judaism stands on the edge of the promised land Jewish News, 18 April 2023
- ^ a b Harriet Sherwood (17 April 2023). "UK progressive Judaism bodies merge to give movement more reach and voice". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ a b Reform and Liberal UK synagogue movements announce merger plan The Jewish Chronicle, 17 April 2023
- ^ Romain, Jonathan (2004). Reform Judaism and Modernity: A Reader, SCM Press. Respectively, for each sentence: pp. 145; 128; xviii, 222; 195; 9. See also: Romain, Jonathan, Reform Judaism, Religions, BBC website, 13 August 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ ISBN 978-0415083263; Romain, Jonathan, 150 Years of Progressive Judaism in Britain: 1840–1990, London Museum of Jewish Life, 1990. pp. 39–45.
- ^ Romain, Reform Judaism and Modernity, p. 285.
- ^ Meyer, Michael A. (2001) Judaism Within Modernity: Essays on Jewish History and Religion, Wayne State University Press, p. 317.
- ^ Romain, 150 Years, p. 44.
- Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
- ^ Rocker, Simon (26 July 2012). "Interfaith couples could marry in shul". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ "About Us". Movement for Reform Judaism. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
- ^ Graham, David; Vulkan, Daniel (2010). Synagogue Membership in the United Kingdom in 2010, Board of Deputies of British Jews. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ "Members". National Council for Voluntary Youth Services. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
- ^ "Liberal and Reform together launch alliance for Progressive Judaism" (Press release). Movement for Reform Judaism. 17 September 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
- ^ a b "Statement on Progressive Judaism" (Press release). Movement for Reform Judaism. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
- ^ Rosenberg, Michelle (17 April 2023). "Liberal and Reform merge to create single progressive UK Jewish movement". Jewish News. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ "Two New Chairs elected to Reform Assembly of Rabbis and Cantors". Movement for Reform Judaism. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ a b Rocker, Simon (23 February 2012). "Tabick achieves another first at Reform Beit Din". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Sir Trevor Chinn succeeds Rabbi Professor Tony Bayfield as Reform Judaism President" (Press release). Movement for Reform Judaism. 27 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
- ^ Endelman, Todd M., The Jews of Britain, 1656 to 2000, University of California Press, 2002. pp. 108–115; Petuchowski, J. J. Karaite Tendencies in an Early Reform Haggadah, HUC Annual, 1960.
- ^ Romain, Jonathan (2006). "50 Years: An Overview". History. Leo Baeck College. Archived from the original on 29 December 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
- ^ a b Rocker, Simon (1 November 2010). "Reform leader Bayfield to retire early". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
- ^ "Rabbi Mark Goldsmith named as new senior rabbi of Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue". The Jewish Chronicle. 19 November 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- ^ Movement for Reform Judaism. "Senior Rabbi to the Movement for Reform Judaism". Movement for Reform Judaism. Archived from the original on 17 December 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
- ^ Mendel, Jack (7 July 2020). "Senior Reform Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner to leave role". Jewish News. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
- ^ Toberman, Barry (8 February 2022). "Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner announces return to the pulpit". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- ^ "History". Leo Baeck College. Archived from the original on 29 December 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
- ^ Romain, Jonathan (2006). "50 Years: An Overview". History. Leo Baeck College. Archived from the original on 29 December 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
- ^ "Julia Neuberger". Jewish Women's Archive. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
- ^ Rocker, Simon (8 July 2013). "Moving chairs as Reform changes leading posts". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
Bibliography
- Kershen, Anne J.; ISBN 0-85303-298-X.
- De Lange, Elaine. Women in Reform Judaism (Judaism in our time series). London: Reform Synagogues of Great Britain, 1975.