Tag
Reform
12 articles
Choosing a Haggadah: A Guide for Every Seder
With hundreds of Haggadahs in print — from traditional Orthodox editions to feminist, social justice, and family-friendly versions — choosing the right one for your Seder can be overwhelming. Here's a guide to finding the Haggadah that fits your table.
Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform: Understanding Jewish Denominations
Judaism is not monolithic — it encompasses diverse movements from Ultra-Orthodox to Reform, each with its own approach to tradition, law, and modern life.
Haskalah: The Jewish Enlightenment That Changed Everything
The Haskalah — the Jewish Enlightenment of the 18th and 19th centuries — transformed Jewish life, sparking debates about tradition, modernity, and identity that continue to this day.
Jews of Germany: From Ashkenaz to Today
Germany is where the term 'Ashkenazi' originates, where the Reform movement was born, and where the Holocaust was conceived. The story of German Jewry is one of extraordinary achievement, devastating betrayal, and improbable rebirth.
Jewish Emancipation: The Promise and Price of Equality
The Jewish emancipation — the gradual granting of civil rights to European Jews beginning with the French Revolution — transformed Jewish life forever, opening unprecedented opportunities while raising agonizing questions about identity and belonging.
Judaism and LGBTQ+ Inclusion
How Jewish denominations approach LGBTQ+ inclusion — from Orthodox traditionalism to Reform celebration, including the history of gay rabbis, same-sex weddings, and organizations like Keshet working for change.
Orthodox vs Reform Judaism: Key Differences
Orthodox and Reform Judaism represent two poles of the Jewish denominational spectrum. From halakha and women rabbis to conversion standards and Israel recognition, here are the key differences — and what they share.
Jewish Denominations: The Complete Guide to Every Movement in Judaism
Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, Renewal, Humanistic, Karaite — Judaism has more movements than most people realize. This complete guide explains each denomination's history, beliefs, practices, and how they differ from one another.
Women Rabbis: From Regina Jonas to Today's Leaders
The story of women in the rabbinate — from Regina Jonas, murdered in the Holocaust, to Sally Priesand, Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, Amy Eilberg, and today's Orthodox Maharats.
Types of Synagogues: From Orthodox to Reform
Walking into an Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform synagogue offers very different experiences — from mechitza and all-Hebrew services to mixed seating and organ music. Here is what to expect.
Confirmation: The Reform and Conservative Coming-of-Age at Sixteen
Confirmation is a ceremony practiced primarily in Reform and Conservative Judaism, typically at age 15-16, marking the completion of post-bar/bat mitzvah Jewish education. Explore its 19th-century origins, its connection to Shavuot, and its place in modern Jewish life.
Jewish Denominations Compared: A Comprehensive Guide
Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist Judaism share core commitments but differ on law, practice, and theology. This comparison helps readers understand what unites and distinguishes the major movements of modern Judaism.