Download Reconstructionism Reform Judaism Temple Beth Am/ Temple Sinai

Reform Judaism
Reconstructionism
Temple Beth Am/
Temple Sinai
REFORM JUDAISM HISTORY
• Founded in Germany in the early 1800s
• The 1st Jewish response to Enlightenment
• Key figures:
Abraham Geiger (1810-1874)
Isaac Mayer Wise (1819-1900)
Stephen S. Wise (1874-1949)
• The largest Jewish Denomination with 1.5
million members, 900 synagogues
REFORM JEWISH BELIEFS
• Belief in God as defined in the Shema.
• Belief that the Torah was written by human
hands, in the language of its time, with
divine inspiration.
• Belief in the rationality of humanity.
• Belief that the process of reinterpretation of
the Torah to the language of today is
ongoing, and that every Jew has a stake
and a role in that restatement and
extension.
REFORM JEWISH BELIEFS
• Belief in egalitarianism (equal treatment of
the sexes) wherever possible.
• Belief in the strong moral and social action
commitment inherent in the Torah and
embodied in the concept of Tikkun Olam,
rebuilding the world.
REFORM JEWISH AGENCIES
• Union of Reform Judaism (URJ)
• Hebrew Union College (HUC)
• Central Conference of American Rabbis
(CCAR)
• Religious Action Center (RAC)
• North American Federation of Jewish
Teens (NFTY)
RECONSTRUCTIONIST HISTORY
•
•
•
•
Founded by Mordecai Kaplan in the 1920s
First Jewish denomination formed in US
Rabbinical school started in 1968
Currently 109 synagogues and
approximately 40,000 members
• Influence in American Judaism much
greater than size
RECONSTRUCTIONIST BELIEFS
• Judaism is more than a religion; it is an
evolving religious civilization.
• Judaism is the creation of the Jewish
people themselves, not of God.
• Jewish law is not the sole decision maker:
i.e. the past "has a vote, not a veto.”
• A belief in a non-supernatural deity: “God
is the process that leads to salvation”
RECONSTRUCTIONIST BELIEFS
• The driving force behind Judaism is
belonging rather than believing.
• Judaism and working for social justice are
inseparable.
• The State of Israel is vital to Jewish
cultural and spiritual survival.
RECONSTRUCTIONIST
AGENCIES
• Jewish Reconstructionist Federation
(JRF)*
• Reconstructionist Rabbinical School
(RRC)*
• Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association
(RRA)
• Camp JRF/No’ar Chadash
* JRF and RRC are currently in the process of merging.
In the rush and bustle of modern life, Temple Beth Am provides
something special...a warm and loving place, for young through
retirees, for families, couples and singles, and newcomers of all
ages to make connections, to touch the spirit, to celebrate the
sacred moments in our lives. Reaching out to shape the world,
reaching in to support each other. In all the different configurations
in which Jewish families come today, here, we share a strong sense
of community, spirituality and common purpose.
FOUNDED IN 1955
OVER 500 CONGREGANTS
A MEMBER OF URJ
PRAYER BOOK: MISHKAN T’FILAH
In 1952, a few founding families sought to bring a new type of
Judaism to the Buffalo area. One that was authentically Jewish, but
also unafraid to challenge tradition. They were attracted to the
writings of Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan. Now over a half century later,
Temple Sinai continues to a vibrant center of Reconstructionist
Judaism in Western New York. Our membership believes strongly
in egalitarianism and in promoting religious tradition, as well as
creativity in worship and Jewish life.
FIRST SUBURBAN CONGREGATION
150+ MEMBERSHIP
PRAYER BOOK: KOL HANESHAMAH/MA’AMAD SINAI
Key Differences
• Reform Judaism values individual
autonomy/ Reconstructionism values
communal decision making
• Reform Judaism is the largest of the
major US denominations/
Reconstructionism is the smallest
• Reform Judaism uses more traditional
God language/ Reconstructionism uses a
more traditional prayer style
Reform Judaism
Temple Beth Am
Reconstructionism
Temple Sinai
Post Halachic
Egalitarian
Warm & Welcoming
Values Creativity
Loves Singing
Loves Israel
Loves Judaism
Post Halachic
Egalitarian
Warm & Welcoming
Values Creativity
Loves Singing
Loves Israel
Loves Judaism