Question of the Month - September

10 Questions . . . 10 Months . . . Much Conversation:
Learning from Our Past . . . Looking Towards Our Future . . . Sharing Our Stories

What does it mean for you to be living a Jewish life today?
What is most important to you as a 21st century Reform Jew?
What Jewish values are most important to you?
What makes them so valuable?
How does your daily life reflect these values?

Discussion & Study Guide for “Being a Reform Jew” by Dr. Alan D. Bennett

Consider this excerpt from the Preamble to the Central Conference of American Rabbis’ 1999 Statement of Principles: “The great contribution of Reform Judaism is that it has enabled the Jewish People to introduce innovation while preserving tradition, embrace diversity while asserting commonality, affirm beliefs without rejecting those who doubt, bring faith to sacred texts without sacrificing critical scholarship.”

Consider what Union for Reform Judaism President Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie identifies as the five religious principles that distinguish Reform Judaism:
Reform Jews are committed to a Judaism that changes and adapts to the needs of the day.
Reform Jews are committed to the absolute equality of women in all areas of Jewish life.
Reform Jews are committed to social justice.
Reform Jews are committed to the principle of inclusion, not exclusion.
Reform Jews are committed to a true partnership between the rabbinate and the laity.

Consider how Reform Judaism has changed in the last two centuries. In the 19th century, Reform made Judaism more accessible by adding instrumental music; introducing worship in the vernacular; changing the time of services to accommodate men, women, and children equally; and creating Confirmation as a lifecycle event, among other changes. The 20th century brought many other Reform innovations, including publishing the first modern Torah commentary in North America; instituting patrilineal descent (defining a child’s Jewishness through the father’s as well as through the mother’s line when the child is raised as a Jew); ordaining the first woman rabbi in America; introducing a diversity of musical styles within the worship experience; implementing Outreach to intermarried families; publishing a women’s Torah commentary; and empowering an increasingly Jewishly knowledgeable and participatory lay leadership.

Consider what the Reform Judaism magazine respondents cite as very important Reform values: the freedom to grapple with and choose which traditions and observances to adopt as one’s own, the freedom to interpret Torah for oneself, gender equality, living as Jews and as full members of society, not having to reject reason and posit definitive answers to life’s ultimate questions, a respect for a variety of personal Jewish journeys, welcoming converts, reaching out to non-Jews, tikkun olam, innovative liturgy and music.

How would YOU answer the 5 questions at the top of the page?