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Welcome to the Society for Classical Reform Judaism!
The SCRJ was founded in 2008, by a group of rabbis and lay leaders from congregations throughout the United States, as a national voice of advocacy for the broad, universalistic ideals of the Classical Reform tradition - the historic progressive interpretation of liberal Judaism in America. We seek to preserve and creatively renew the deep spiritual values, rich intellectual foundations and distinctive worship traditions that have historically distinguished the Reform Movement. Read More... |
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A new generation worships in the Classical
Reform tradition, using the UNION PRAYER
BOOK-SINAI EDITION, at Boston Jewish Spirit
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GREAT SUCCESS AT THE URJ BIENNAL
Our presence at the Union of Reform Judaism's (URJ) Biennial, held in Washington, D.C., was a tremendous success. We made many new contacts through our exhibition booth and through SCRJ's program presentation: "Classical Reform: Reclaiming and Renewing Our Heritage as a Resource for Our Congregations."
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CLASSICAL REFORM CONFRONTS THE CHALLENGE OF INTERFAITH MARRIAGE:
Continuing the Conversation: Part III
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In response to the essays in our last issue, advocating for rabbinic participation, a respected and committed supporter of the Society and Classical Reform tradition offers an alternative perspective, reflecting the diversity of interpretation embraced by the SCRJ.
Click here to read these articles and more in the latest issue of the Reform Advocate.
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; SCRJ Rabbis Nadia Siritsky, Jacques Curriculum and Howard Berman address the Opening Session of the HUC Institute on May 16, 2011
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As part of the new partnership between the Society of Classical Reform Judaism and the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, the Reform Movement's rabbinic seminary and institution of higher learning, a number of major new initiatives have been launched over the past few months. |
In November 2010, following a year of planning discussions between the Society and the HUC administration and faculty, this new program was launched with the support of the Edward and Wilhelmina Ackerman Foundation of Dallas, Texas. An initial $500,000 grant was awarded to the Cincinnati campus to provide for a broad program of student scholarships and programs to enable the students to encounter and experience the Classical Reform tradition as a resource for their own personal spiritual development and their emerging visions of the rabbinates. In addition to financial aid grants to every student, a Prize Essay program was inaugurated this Spring, which attracted six participants who submitted significant works of research and reflection integrating the history and principles of the Reform heritage with their own academic interests and class work. A selection of these papers follows in this issue of The Reform Advocate. |
On May 16-18, the first annual SCRJ Institute was held at the College - an intensive series of lectures, discussion forums, and worship experiences for the HUC-JIR community. Beginning with the National Board Meeting of the Society on the Cincinnati campus on May 15, the inaugural SCRJ Institute was an exciting and indeed historic highlight of the new partnership between the Society and the College. The presence of a significant representation from the SCRJ Board was an important element in the program. This gathering at the symbolic center of our Movement, complete with a pilgrimage to the historic Plum Street Temple, was an inspiring setting for our deliberations. Even more significantly, the personal interactions of our leadership with the rabbinic students and HUC faculty were a critical element in the building of a collegial and mentoring relationships that we believe are at the core of our vision. |
SCRJ Board Members at the historic Plum Street Temple, Cincinnati |
Click here to read more...
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The Union Prayer Book, Sinai Edition, was published in 2000 by Chicago Sinai Congregation as a contemporary language, gender-neutral liturgy for Reform congregations wishing to maintain the historic worship traditions of our Movement's heritage. Preserving the beloved text and cadences of the 1940 Union Prayer Book, the Sinai Edition also embraced the newest developments in Jewish liturgical responses to the realities of our time - a heightened awareness of inclusive language and a recognition of the spiritual challenges of the transforming events of Jewish history in this generation.
Click here to read more... |
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Now Available:
Our CD Recording "Come O Sabbath Day!"
The SCRJ's first recording of the beloved prayers
and great music of Reform Judaism...
Click here for details |
SCRJ Expands National Outreach
to Congregations
The Temple, Atlanta
In the past year the Society has presented sermons
and programs at the following temples and national gatherings.
Read more... |
SCRJ IN NATIONAL REFORM MEDIA
Read Rabbi Berman's article in ACHIM, the quarterly magazine of THE MEN OF REFORM JUDAISM.
This essay, "A New Judaism for a New Millennium", expresses the Classical Reform vision of an embracing, accessible expression of our faith for a post-ethnic era in a changing American Jewish community.
Click Here |
