The Story Of Reform Judaism

The Story of Reform Judaism by Sylvan D. Schwartzman is a comprehensive account of the origins, development, and evolution of the Reform Jewish movement. The book traces the movement's roots in the Enlightenment and the Haskalah, and its emergence in 19th-century Germany as a response to the challenges of modernity and assimilation. It explores the key figures, ideas, and controversies that shaped Reform Judaism, including the early pioneers like Abraham Geiger and Samuel Holdheim, the debates over the nature of Jewish identity and practice, and the movement's engagement with social justice and political issues.The book also examines the spread of Reform Judaism to North America, where it took root in the late 19th century and underwent its own unique transformations. It covers the establishment of the Union for Reform Judaism and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the role of women in Reform Judaism, and the movement's response to the Holocaust and the creation of the State of Israel.Throughout the book, Schwartzman provides a balanced and nuanced perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of the Reform Jewish movement, its contributions to Jewish life and culture, and the challenges it faces in the 21st century. The Story of Reform Judaism is an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand the history and significance of this important Jewish movement.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.