Reform Judaism
Liberal Jewish denomination
Reform Judaism is the most liberal branch of Judaism, emphasizing ethical teachings over strict observance of traditional law.
It adapts Jewish practice to modern life, allowing individual interpretation of ritual requirements: Their Reform synagogue has women rabbis and uses English in services.
Reform Judaism originated in 19th-century Germany and is now the largest Jewish denomination in the United States.
Equality principle supporter
- tikkun olamMending creation through action
- social justiceFair distribution of opportunities
- inclusionBeing made part
- pluralismCoexistence of differing views
autonomy · gender equality · interfaith · ethical living · diversity · acceptance · outreach · dialogue
Jewish house of worship
- templeSacred worship structure
- rabbiJewish spiritual leader
- cantorLiturgical music leader
- congregationAssembled group of worshippers
prayer · liturgy · prayerbook · Hebrew · sermon · bimah · ark · choir
Judaism's core scripture
- interpretationAssigned meaning
- historical criticismScholarly analysis of ancient texts
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- covenantBinding formal pledge
ethics · monotheism · prophets · mitzvot · halacha · autonomy · humanism · spirituality
Jewish day of rest
- PassoverFestival of liberation
- sederPassover ritual meal
- Rosh HashanahJewish calendar's start
- Yom KippurAnnual Jewish atonement observance
Hanukkah · Sukkot · Purim · Shavuot · High Holy Days · menorah · kiddush · havdalah
Jewish adulthood ceremony
- bat mitzvahFemale Jewish adulthood rite
- confirmationEstablishing something as true
- conversionAct of changing states
- weddingMarriage rite and feast
shiva · yahrzeit · bris · memorial service · unveiling
Central European nation
- nineteenth centuryYears 1801-1900
- AmericanizationAdopting US cultural norms
- diasporaScattered population sharing origins
egalitarian
Equality principle supporter
- tikkun olamMending creation through action
- social justiceFair distribution of opportunities
- inclusionBeing made part
pluralism · autonomy · gender equality · interfaith · ethical living · diversity · acceptance · outreach · dialogue · flexibility
synagogue
Jewish house of worship
congregation · prayer · liturgy · prayerbook · Hebrew · sermon · bimah · ark · choir · organ
Torah
Judaism's core scripture
- interpretationAssigned meaning
- historical criticismScholarly analysis of ancient texts
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
covenant · ethics · monotheism · prophets · mitzvot · halacha · autonomy · humanism · spirituality
Shabbat
Jewish day of rest
- PassoverFestival of liberation
- sederPassover ritual meal
- Rosh HashanahJewish calendar's start
Yom Kippur · Hanukkah · Sukkot · Purim · Shavuot · High Holy Days · menorah · kiddush · havdalah
bar mitzvah
Jewish adulthood ceremony
- bat mitzvahFemale Jewish adulthood rite
- confirmationEstablishing something as true
- conversionAct of changing states
wedding · shiva · yahrzeit · bris · memorial service · unveiling
Germany
Central European nation
- nineteenth centuryYears 1801-1900
- AmericanizationAdopting US cultural norms
- diasporaScattered population sharing origins
- FaithsChristians, Catholics, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews
- JudaismShabbat, kosher, Passover, Torah, Hanukkah
- religionsChristianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism
- beliefsbelief, beliefs, creed, creeds, faith
- Abrahamic faithsChristianity, Islam, Abraham, God, Catholicism
- Jewish cultureTorah, synagogue, synagogues, rabbi, rabbis
Reform JudaismOrthodox Judaism
Strict adherence to Mosaic law
fundamentalism · religious conservatism · literalism · Conservative Judaism · traditionalism
Reform Judaismreligious fundamentalism
Literal interpretation of scripture