Reform Jewish refers to a congregation Jew who is part of the Reform Judaism movement. This branch of Judaism is also the most liberal amongst all the branches of this religion. The Reform Jewish movement rose in the early part of the 1800s as a direct result of the rigidity in Orthodox Judaism. It also came about as a result of Germany becoming more liberal in its political policies.
Early Reform Jewish Practices
A congregation Jew who was a part of this early movement was exposed to a lot of changes in the way he saw Judaism. Reform Jewish practices that were changed included not emphasizing on the Jews as a people who were united.
The congregation Jew also stopped saying prayers to facilitate their return to Palestine and all sermons and prayers were said in German. Organ music was also introduced and the laws pertaining to diet were slackened. What could be the biggest transformation that a congregation Jew would have experienced is the shifting of the Sabbath day to Sunday. The congregation Jew of this movement also did not give the Talmud any importance as the rabbis preached the Prophets' teachings.
Modern Reform Jewish Practice
The congregation Jew of the modern reform movement seems to be moving back to his or her roots. Today the Reform Jewish movement has reinstated some of the practices of Judaism that were abandoned when the movement first started. Today they confirm the central beliefs of Judaism - the Torah, God and Israel. Along with this they also acknowledge the diversity that is present in the belief system of the movement. The congregation Jew of the Reform movement allows women to become Rabbis, synagogue presidents and event cantors. They are more accepting of interfaith marriages and families. They are also committed making sure that homosexuals participate in the synagogue as well as society.
Reform Judaism in America
The Reform Jewish Movement in the United States is probably the biggest Jewish movement in the country. It was founded about 125 year ago by a Rabbi named Isaac Mayer Wise. The greatest period of development and growth of the movement comes from the United States. Perhaps the greatest part of this movement is the fact that a congregation Jew who belongs to this movement has the right to choose whether or not he would like to be a part of a particular practice or belief. This movement also accepts Jews from any other sect as they have no bars as to who can be a reform Jew.
The Union for Reform Judaism
This Reform Jewish union serves as a leadership body for all reform congregations providing them support on issues like social justice, ethnicity, spiritual and issues of management. The Union is committed to offering the congregation Jew a religion that adapts to modern day life. It is also committed to offering Reform Jewish women equal status in all aspects of their Jewish life. The movement is also committed to social justice and the inclusion of every congregation Jew irrespective of the sect they belong to.