Download or read book Guidance Not Governance written by Joan S. Friedman and published by Hebrew Union College Press. This book was released on 2013-09-01 with total page 353 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Solomon Bennett Freehof (1892-1990) was one of America's most distinguished, influential, and beloved rabbis. Ordained at Hebrew Union College in 1915, he was of the generation of rabbis from east European immigrant backgrounds who moved Reform Judaism away from its classical form toward a renewed appreciation of traditional practices. Freehof himself was less interested in restoring discarded rituals than in demonstrating how the Reform approach to Jewish religious practice was rooted in the Jewish legal tradition (halakhah). Opposed to any attempt to create a code of Reform practice, he nevertheless called for Reform Judaism to turn to the halakhah, not in order to adhere to codified law, but to be guided in ritual and in all areas of life by its values and its ethical insights. For Reform Jews, Jewish law was to offer "guidance, not governance," and this guidance was to be provided through the writing of responsa, individual rulings based on legal precedent, written by an organized rabbinic authority in response to questions about real-life situations. After World War II, the earlier consensus about what constituted proper observance in a Reform context vanished as the children of east European immigrants flocked to new Reform synagogues in new suburbs, bringing with them a more traditional sensibility. Even before Freehof was named chairman of the Central Conference of American Rabbis Responsa Committee in 1956, his colleagues began turning to him for guidance, especially in the situations Freehof recognized as inevitably arising from living in an open society where the boundaries between what was Jewish and what was not were ambiguous or blurred. Over nearly five decades, he answered several thousand inquiries regarding Jewish practice, the plurality of which concerned the tensions Jews experienced in navigating this open society-questions concerning mixed marriage, Jewish status, non-Jewish participation in the synagogue, conversion, and so on-and published several hundred of these in eight volumes of Reform responsa. In her pioneering study, Friedman analyzes Freehof's responsa on a select number of crucial issues that illustrate the evolution of American Reform Judaism. She also discusses the deeper issues with which the movement struggled, and continues to struggle, in its attempt to meet the ever-changing challenges of the present while preserving both individual autonomy and faithfulness to the Jewish tradition.

Download or read book A Life of Meaning written by Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan, PhD and published by CCAR Press. This book was released on 2017-11-28 with total page 502 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reform Judaism is constantly evolving as we continue to seek a faith that is in harmony with our beliefs and experiences. This volume offers readers a thought-provoking collection of essays by rabbis, cantors, and other scholars who differ, sometimes passionately, over religious practice, experience, and belief. Its goal is to situate Judaism in a contemporary context, and it is uniquely suited for community discussion as well as study groups.

Download or read book Reading Reform Responsa written by Mark Washofsky and published by CCAR Press. This book was released on 2024-03-04 with total page 312 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The responsa literature, in which rabbis answer questions about halachah (Jewish law), is a vast treasury reaching back nearly fifteen centuries; Reform rabbis have been writing responsa since the 1800s. In Reading Reform Responsa, Rabbi Mark Washofsky, PhD, presents a deep dive into this literature, boldly arguing that Reform Judaism is indeed a movement fundamentally based on halachah. By inviting and guiding readers to understand Reform responsa with a critical eye, he shows that our movement has always been informed by Jewish law as well as Reform history. A teacher and mentor of generations of students at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, Rabbi Washofsky gives us a peek inside his classroom, making Reform responsa—and their history, framing, and context—engaging and accessible for all. Dr. Washofsky masterfully demonstrates the centrality of responsa for the continued vitality of Reform as an authentic stream of contemporary Judaism. Addressing himself to the everyday Jew-in-the-pew, he explains what halachah is, what responsa are, and what makes "Reform responsa" distinctive. ... More importantly, he draws on his expertise as a scholar both of our tradition and of legal and literary theory to teach the non-specialist reader to become a critical reader of responsa. —From the foreword by Rabbi Joan S. Friedman, PhD, Chair, CCAR Responsa Committee Rabbi Washofsky gifts us with a series of informed and sensitive discussions of how Reform Jews should think about and act on specific moral and ritual issues. In doing so, he graphically demonstrates that Reform Judaism's emphasis on personal autonomy is complemented by its insistence that Jewish tradition must play a role in individuals' choices if these decisions are to be not just one's own opinion, but also a recognizably Jewish one. —Rabbi Elliot Dorff, PhD, Past Chair, Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, Rabbinical Assembly Rabbi Mark Washofsky offers us a fascinating entry into and analysis of the Reform Movement's engagement with Jewish law, practice, and values. Where responsa analyze the issues and concerns implicit in a question of immediate practicality posed to a Jewish legal authority, Washofsky analyzes the body of over 1,300 Reform responsa promulgated since the early nineteenth century, pointing out the intellectual and ethical approaches employed, as well as the traditional, philosophical, and scientific resources marshalled to arrive at a persuasive answer. A wonderful read in its own right, this book provides an insider's look at modern liberal Jewish religious thought in action. —Rabbi Amy Scheinerman, author of The Talmud of Relationships Drawing on his deep mastery of classical halachic literature, Reform religious culture, and modern secular legal theory, Mark Washofsky offers insightful and compelling analyses of some of the Reform Movement's most important responsa. Washofsky's special ability to combine rigorous scholarship with his characteristic dry humor, engaging storytelling, and accessible writing style makes Reading Reform Responsa an essential study companion for anyone---clergy, academics, and laypeople alike---who is interested in learning or teaching Reform Judaism's rich tradition of halachic discourse. By inviting the reader to be not just an observer but also a participant in the reasoning and argumentation of responsa, Washofsky teaches us what it means to think halachically in a uniquely Reform way. —Rabbi A. Brian Stoller, Senior Rabbi, Temple Beth-El of Great Neck, NY Those curious about the tradition of responsa in the Reform tradition, or merely about the intersection of Jewish law and modern life, will find much here of interest. A substantial but accessible guide to reading and applying Reform responsa. —Kirkus Reviews

Download or read book Mishkan T filah written by Central Conference of American Rabbis/CCAR Press and published by CCAR Press. This book was released on 2007 with total page 410 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Teshuvot for the Nineties written by Central Conference of American Rabbis and published by CCAR Press. This book was released on 1997 with total page 436 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With a blend of the old and new, traditional and modern Reform principles, Rabbis Plaut and Washofsky elucidate issues of the history and practice of Reform Jews. Topics range from synagogue matters to personal life; from guns on temple property to genome research; from private ordinations to apostasy. Topics also include the role of a humanistic congregation in the Reform Movement and the participation of Gentiles in Jewish worship. This is the latest volume in the vast collection of Reform Responsa from the CCAR.

Download or read book The Social Justice Torah Commentary written by Rabbi Barry Block and published by CCAR Press. This book was released on 2021-12-01 with total page 276 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What does the Torah have to say about social justice? As the contributors to The Social Justice Torah Commentary demonstrate, a great deal. A diverse array of authors delve deeply into each week's parashah, drawing lessons to inspire tikkun olam. Chapters address key contemporary issues such as racism, climate change, mass incarceration, immigration, disability, women's rights, voting rights, and many more. The result is an indispensable resource for weekly Torah study and for anyone committed to repairing the world. Published by CCAR Press, a division of the Central Conference of American Rabbis

Download or read book Today s Reform Responsa written by Solomon Bennett Freehof and published by . This book was released on 1990 with total page 180 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Lights in the Forest written by Paul Citrin and published by CCAR Press. This book was released on 2014-10-31 with total page 306 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An anthology of essays written by a wide cross-section of rabbis, Lights in the Forest presents a range of Jewish responses to both theological and philosophical questions pertaining to God, humanity, and the Jewish people. Thoughtful and engaging, these responses are meant to strengthen the reader's sense of Jewish identity through expanding his or her knowledge and understanding of Jewish life, practice, and tradition. Perfect for self-study, group study, adult learning, and conversion, the collection strives to encourage further study and ongoing discussion through presenting Judaism's intellectual and spiritual tools as means for leading a life full of purpose and commitment “Rabbi Israel of Rhyszin tells a story of two people entering a forest. One has a lantern while one does not. The two meet, and the one carrying the lantern is able to illuminate their shared path. When the two part, the one without a lantern is left in the dark once more. From this, we learn that we all must carry our own light. My hope is that this book will provide light along the path and, in so doing, will provide a wider horizon of Jewish tradition and ideals to light the way.” - Rabbi Paul Citrin, Editor Published by CCAR Press, a division of the Central Conference of American Rabbis

Download or read book Mishkan HaSeder A Passover Haggadah written by Rabbi Hara Person and published by CCAR Press. This book was released on 2021-03-02 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Combining age-old texts, fresh insights, inspiring poetry, new translations, and breathtaking art, Mishkan HaSeder sets a new standard in Passover Haggadot. Using the beloved format of Mishkan T'filah and Mishkan HaNefesh, this Haggadah offers beautiful new translations by Rabbis Janet and Sheldon Marder in conversation with an extraordinary collection of poetry from a diverse array of poets. The running commentary by Rabbis Oren Hayon, Seth Limmer, and Amy Scheinerman draws out the historic background of the seder rituals, builds on the social justice issues of our day, and offers contemporary connections to Passover. The text is complemented by full-color works from acclaimed artist Tobi Kahn that will enhance any seder experience. Mishkan HaSeder features poetry by Yehuda Amichai, Ellen Bass, Lucille Clifton, Edward Hirsch, Ross Gay, Emma Lazarus, Denise Levertov, Ada Limon, Grace Paley, Dan Pagis, Adrienne Rich, and many more. Equally suited to home and community celebrations, this is a Haggadah for today and tomorrow. Mishkan HaSeder has the depth to stimulate experienced seder leaders while its accessible explanations will make those joining our tables for the first time feel welcome. "In this brilliant new Reform Haggadah, the old is made new in a spiritual depth that is dazzling. The felicitous translation of traditional and modern sources, the insightful commentary and questions, the moving poetry, the aesthetically evocative depth of the art, and the beautiful and accessible layout of the text all combine to make this Haggadah a genuine treasure that will enrich Passover and the experience of the seder for this generation of religious seekers. We are all indebted to the CCAR for making this publication possible." -Rabbi David Ellenson, Chancellor Emeritus, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion "Finally, a Haggadah that is gorgeous, creative, serious, egalitarian, poetic, and inspiring! With so many layers of meaning and beauty, this new liturgy for the seder will nourish the skeptics, the seekers, and the scholars in your midst. This is the Haggadah my family and yours have been waiting for." -Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President, Union for Reform Judaism "Mishkan HaSeder is a gorgeous new Haggadah, with powerful feminist commentary that illuminates the moral and ethical underpinnings of the Passover seder and opens new doors of understanding, as well as inspiring poetry that deepens the experience. This is the new gold standard for every seder table." -Sheila Katz, CEO, National Council of Jewish Women "From poetry that lifts the heart to colorful artwork that deepens our vision, from the Talmud's wisdom to the insights of contemporary Jewish teachers, from ancient practice to the urgent call for justice in our own day, Mishkan HaSeder will enrich the Passover seder for experienced participants and newcomers alike. Like the seder itself, this new Haggadah is a gathering, a blessing, a feast." -Rabbi David Stern, Senior Rabbi, Temple Emanu-El Dallas and Past President, Central Conference of American Rabbis "This is the Haggadah you have to own. An amazing weaving together of the service we all know, in Hebrew and English, with astounding works of art--poems from many different sources, exceptional page design, and beautiful, meditative color images by the brilliant Tobi Kahn--and with thoughtful commentary that explicates the tradition and orients us to the work yet to be done. There are many Haggadot with various themes, but this is one for the ages, allowing each user to pull out favorite poems, highlight specific directives, open up thoughtful seder table discussions, and become truly immersed in the holiday." -Ruth Messinger, Global Ambassador and Past President, American Jewish World Service

Download or read book Honoring Tradition Embracing Modernity written by Beth Lieberman and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 588 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Torah written by Dr. Tamara Cohn Eskenazi and published by CCAR Press. This book was released on 2017-12-04 with total page 2363 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The groundbreaking volume The Torah: A Women's Commentary, originally published by URJ Press and Women of Reform Judaism, has been awarded the top prize in the oldest Jewish literary award program, the 2008 National Jewish Book Awards. A work of great import, the volume is the result of 14 years of planning, research, and fundraising. THE HISTORY: At the 39th Women of Reform Judaism Assembly in San Francisco, Cantor Sarah Sager challenged Women of Reform Judaism delegates to "imagine women feeling permitted, for the first time, feeling able, feeling legitimate in their study of Torah." WRJ accepted that challenge. The Torah: A Women's Commentary was introduced at the Union for Reform Judaism 69th Biennial Convention in San Diego in December 2007. WRJ has commissioned the work of the world's leading Jewish female Bible scholars, rabbis, historians, philosophers and archaeologists. Their collective efforts resulted in the first comprehensive commentary, authored only by women, on the Five Books of Moses, including individual Torah portions as well as the Hebrew and English translation. The Torah: A Women's Commentary gives dimension to the women's voices in our tradition. Under the skillful leadership of editors Dr. Tamara Cohn Eskenazi and Rabbi Andrea Weiss, PhD, this commentary provides insight and inspiration for all who study Torah: men and women, Jew and non-Jew. As Dr. Eskenazi has eloquently stated, "we want to bring the women of the Torah from the shadow into the limelight, from their silences into speech, from the margins to which they have often been relegated to the center of the page - for their sake, for our sake and for our children's sake." Published by CCAR Press, a division of the Central Conference of American Rabbis

Download or read book Pledges of Jewish Allegiance written by David Ellenson and published by Stanford University Press. This book was released on 2012-01-18 with total page 218 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since the late 1700s, when the Jewish community ceased to be a semiautonomous political unit in Western Europe and the United States and individual Jews became integrated—culturally, socially, and politically—into broader society, questions surrounding Jewish status and identity have occupied a prominent and contentious place in Jewish legal discourse. This book examines a wide array of legal opinions written by nineteenth- and twentieth-century orthodox rabbis in Europe, the United States, and Israel. It argues that these rabbis' divergent positions—based on the same legal precedents—demonstrate that they were doing more than delivering legal opinions. Instead, they were crafting public policy for Jewish society in response to Jews' social and political interactions as equals with the non-Jewish persons in whose midst they dwelled. Pledges of Jewish Allegiance prefaces its analysis of modern opinions with a discussion of the classical Jewish sources upon which they draw.

Download or read book The New Reform Judaism written by Dana Evan Kaplan and published by U of Nebraska Press. This book was released on 2020-04-01 with total page 470 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the book that American Jews and particularly American Reform Jews have been waiting for: a clear and informed call for further reform in the Reform movement. In light of profound demographic, social, and technological developments, it has become increasingly clear that the Reform movement will need to make major changes to meet the needs of a quickly evolving American Jewish population. Younger Americans in particular differ from previous generations in how they relate to organized religion, often preferring to network through virtual groups or gather in informal settings of their own choosing. Dana Evan Kaplan, an American Reform Jew and pulpit rabbi, argues that rather than focusing on the importance of loyalty to community, Reform Judaism must determine how to engage the individual in a search for existential meaning. It should move us toward a critical scholarly understanding of the Hebrew Bible, that we may emerge with the perspectives required by a postmodern world. Such a Reform Judaism can at once help us understand how the ancient world molded our most cherished religious traditions and guide us in addressing the increasingly complex social problems of our day.

Download or read book Rome and Jerusalem written by Moses Hess and published by . This book was released on 1918 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Death and Euthanasia in Jewish Law written by Walter Jacob and published by Berghahn Books. This book was released on 1995 with total page 222 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: THE FREEHOF INSTITUTE OF PROGRESSIVE HALAKHAH The Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah is a creative research center devoted to studying and defining the progressive character of the halakhah in accordance with the principles and theology of Reform Judaism. It seeks to establish the ideological basis of Progressive halakhah, and its application to daily life. The Institute fosters serious studies, and helps scholars in various portions of the world to work together for a common cause. It provides an ongoing forum through symposia, and publications including the quarterly newsletter, HalakhaH, published under the editorship of Walter Jacob, in the United States. The foremost halakhic scholars in the Reform, Liberal, and Progressive rabbinate along with some Conservative and Orthodox colleagues as well as university professors serve on our Academic Council. This collection on Essays is the product of the fourth symposium held in Montreal during June 1993.

Download or read book Jewish Aspects in Avant Garde written by Mark H. Gelber and published by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG. This book was released on 2017-07-19 with total page 286 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume deals with the significance of the avant-garde(s) for modern Jewish culture and the impact of the Jewish tradition on the artistic production of the avant-garde, be they reinterpretations of literary, artistic, philosophical or theological texts/traditions, or novel theoretical openings linked to elements from Judaism or Jewish culture, thought, or history.

Download or read book Jewish with Feeling written by Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and published by Jewish Lights Publishing. This book was released on 2013 with total page 290 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A how-to for Jewish spirituality that works. "A spiritual seeker is a person whose soul is awake. In this book I make no assumptions about how much you know about Judaism, what holidays you keep, or whether you believe in God. I want us to start from your soul's experience and carry on from there." --from the Introduction "Virtually anyone remotely affiliated with Judaism should read this book," wrote Publishers Weekly, which listed Jewish with Feeling among its Best Religion Books of the Year. "Without question the best, most readable introduction to Reb Zalman's philosophy of Judaism, it is also the best beginner's guide to Jewish spirituality available today," wrote the Forward, "the perfect book for both the spiritual seeker and the curious skeptic." Taking off from basic questions like "Why be Jewish?" and whether the word God still speaks to us today, Reb Zalman lays out a vision for a whole-person Judaism. This is not only Sinai then but Sinai now, a revelation of the Torah inside and all around us. Complete with many practical suggestions to enrich your own Jewish life, Jewish with Feeling is "a mystical masterpiece filled with spiritual practices and an exciting vision of the future" (Spirituality & Health). Spiritual experience, as Reb Zalman shows, repays every effort we make to acquire it.