Reform Judaism, by Rabbi Rebecca Schorr

This post was kindly written by my Blog Colleague Rabbi Rebecca Schorr of the blog Frume Sarah.  It gives a short, but comprehensive view of some core principles that define the Reform Movement.  This is by no means complete, but it addresses some questions we’ve had via a few posts on Out of the Ortho … Continue reading →

5 Things You May Not Know About Reform Judaism

This is really just a few facts.  My blog-bud Frume Sarah will be writing a guest post shortly that is more detailed about some of the things Reform Judaism does and does not believe.  But, to start, did you know that: 1) the Reform Movement originated in Germany in the nineteenth century, and that it … Continue reading →

5 Things I’d Like Non-Reform Jews to Know About Reform Jews

1) We are not secular. We are Reform Jews. 2) We have a love of God, Torah, and Israel. But probably not in the same way you do. Actually, really not in the same way you do. But valid and authentic nonetheless. 3) While many of us are not observant in the “traditional” way, most … Continue reading →

shhhh . . . I’m religious . . .

What’s that now?  You say Reform Jews are not Orthodox?  That’s true . . . I didn’t say Orthodox.  I said “religious“. Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values.[1] Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories … Continue reading →

Out Loud and Proud

I’ve decided to obnoxiously co-opt the phrase “Out, Loud and Proud” to describe how I’m currently feeling about the Jewish denomination with which I’ve consciously chosen to affiliate. I’m proud of the strides our movement has made in the last decade to look back at our history and learn from it, and move forward.  I’m … Continue reading →

this breaks my heart; WHERE ARE YOU, UNION OF REFORM JUDAISM???

This is so sad.  Yet, not surprising.  Nothing existed when I went to college either.  When I entered HUC, having spent 4 years at a Hillel dominated by Conservative and Orthodox Jews, I was shocked at the attitude many of my classmates had concerning observance and ritual.  Not to mention the lack of knowledge about … Continue reading →

Norm, Dude, Check It Out, You Got Bigger Problems Than Reform Jews

Norm, instead of saying kaddish for us, how about making sure the people in your own back yard aren’t ignoring the Torah in a significantly more harmful way than Reform Jews allowing patrilineal descent.  Just sayin’ . . .