THE SOCIETY FOR CLASSICAL REFORM JUDAISM INVITES YOU TO JOIN US FOR AN HISTORIC TOUR
THE ROOTS OF REFORM JUDAISM
A PILGRIMAGE IN OBSERVANCE OF THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REFORM MOVEMENT
JULY 15 - 20, 2010
The newly restored Oranienburgerstrasse Synagogue, Berlin
The 200th Anniversary of the founding of the Reform movement will be celebrated with a pilgrimage to Seesen - the site of the world's first Reform Temple opened in July 17, 1810 – Berlin, and other historical destinations in Germany. The pilgrimage, sponsored by the Society for Classical Reform Judaism in collaboration with the Abraham Geiger College, the newly established liberal rabbinical seminary in Berlin, will cover five days of tours and special commemorative services and programs from July 15-20, 2010.
This unique experience is being planned to commemorate this major milestone in our shared heritage as Reform Jews. Germany is not only the birthplace of modern liberal Judaism, but also has the fastest growing Jewish population in the world today. The continuing restoration of the great historic synagogues that were the pride of European Jewry before the Holocaust, and the reestablishment of Jewish communities throughout the country, are dramatic symbols of Jewish survival and renewal. Abraham Geiger College is training a new generation of young rabbis to foster the rebirth of Reform Judaism throughout Europe. The primary purpose of our visit is to both honor our past and to stand in solidarity with our fellow Reform Jews today.
The trip will be based in Berlin with side trips to other cities. While not its primary focus, the itinerary of course includes major sites related to the Holocaust. The agenda includes a tour of Jewish Berlin, with commentary by SCRJ rabbis, with an emphasis on the heritage of Reform Judaism - Shabbat Services at the Sukkat Shalom, Berlin;s contemporary Reform congregation; dinner with leaders of the Berlin community and students of Geiger College; and a visit to the renowned Jewish Museum. Trips outside of Berlin include visits to sites in Halberstadt, Seesen, Dessau Schwerin and Hamburg that are significant in the saga of Reform Judaism.
All individuals interested in this fundamental dimension of Jewish history are invited to join us.
CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE ITINERARY AND DETAILS OF THE TOUR
SCRJ EXPANDS NATIONAL OUTREACH TO CONGREGATIONS
One of the major priorities of the Society for Classical Reform Judaism is working with temples around the country to foster worship opportunities, educational programs and a renewed appreciation of the historic values and traditions of our American Reform heritage. We know that the ultimate impact of our mission is not merely the articulation of philosophical principles, but the way that we can influence synagogue life and support individual Jews in their religious experience. Our aim is to help congregations affirm the diversity within their communities, and try to serve the spiritual needs of those many temple members who remain committed to Classical Reform – as well as to raise awareness of the beauty and meaning of the heritage we all share as Reform Jews.
Rabbi Howard A. Berman, our Executive Director, has been invited to preach and lecture at many congregations around the country, sharing our message and encouraging the introduction of these kinds of alternative programs. In the coming months, he will be speaking at the following temples and national gatherings:
November 20-22 – The Temple, Hebrew Benevolent Congregation, Atlanta Georgia
January 7-10, 2010 - Address at National Association of Retired Reform Rabbis Convention, Fort Myers, Florida
February 5-6 - Scholar-in-Residence, Sabbath Sermons and Annual Interfaith Clergy Institute - Congregation Rodef Shalom, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 26 - Sermon at Isaac Mayer Wise Sabbath Service at Temple Sinai, New Orleans
April 16-17 - Sermon and programs at Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism, Houston, Texas
April 25 - Special "Heritage Day" program at Har Sinai Congregation, Baltimore
May 14-15 – Rabbi Levi Olan Memorial Lecture, Temple Emanu-El, Dallas, Texas
We urge all SCRJ friends in these communities to participate in these opportunities to share the Society’s vision with our ever-widening audience
SCRJ PROMINENTLY FEATURED AT THE URJ BIENNIAL
The Society’s commitment to be a collegial and cooperative voice within the national Reform Movement was significantly highlighted at the Biennial Convention of the Union for Reform Judaism, November 4-8, 2009 in Toronto. This national gathering of rabbis and lay leaders of Reform congregations throughout North America, brings thousands of committed Reform Jews together to explore ways to enrich temple life and programming, and to chart the course for our Movement.
The Society was invited to present two major programs at the Biennial. Rabbi Berman led a learning session on “Classical Reform: Renewing our Heritage”, which focused on the mission and work of the Society as a resource for worship and programming at local congregations. He also presented one of the major Shabbat Luncheon forums, on the theme: “Rabbi David Einhorn: A Bicentennial Tribute”, exploring the life and legacy of ‘the Father of Classical Reform and the Union Prayer Book’. The week of the convention marked the exact 200th birthday of Rabbi Einhorn, who was not only the major theologian of early Reform Judaism in America, but also the pioneer of the vision of social justice that became the heart of our Movement – renowned as the leading Jewish abolitionist in the Civil War, and an early champion of women’s rights.
The SCRJ also had high visibility in the Convention Exposition, with a prominent booth that displayed and distributed our publications, newsletters and brochures, staffed by a number of our national Board members. All our programs were well attended and enthusiastically received, and we recruited many new supporters of our work from congregations around the country. The Biennial was a major opportunity for the Society to continue to take its rightful place in the life and deliberations of the national Reform Movement!
The Reform Advocate
Volume 2, Number 1: Rosh Hashanah 5770
Autumn 2009
Table of Contents:
- SCRJ Expands National Outreach to Congregations
- SCRJ To Be Prominently Featured at the URJ Biennial
- Cooperation with HUC-JIR Continues
- Production of New Recording of Classical Reform Worship Announced
- Classical Reform Judaism for the Twenty-First Century
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The Reform Advocate
Volume 1, Number 2
Winter 2009
Table of Contents:
- Our First Year in Review!
- The Illustrations in this Issue
- Models for Inclusion
- An SCRJ Forum: Progressive Reform
- Perspectives on Interfaith Marriage
- From the Pulpit
- A Meditation from the Union Prayer Book
- Mission Statement
- Board of Directors
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