The New Reform Judaism: Challenges and Reflections

by Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan, Eric H. Yoffie (Foreword), Rabbi Rick Jacobs (Afterword)

This is the book that American Jews and particularly American Reform Jews have been waiting for: a clear and informed call for further reform in the Reform movement.
In light of profound demographic, social, and technological developments, it has become increasingly clear that the Reform movement will need to make major changes to meet the needs of a quickly evolving American Jewish population. Younger Americans in particular differ from previous generations in how they relate to organized religion, often preferring to network through virtual groups or gather in informal settings of their own choosing.
Dana Evan Kaplan, an American Reform Jew and pulpit rabbi, argues that rather than focusing on the importance of loyalty to community, Reform Judaism must determine how to engage the individual in a search for existential meaning. It should move us toward a critical, scholarly understanding of the Hebrew Bible, that we may emerge with the perspectives required by a postmodern world. Such a Reform Judaism can at once help us understand how the ancient world molded our most cherished religious traditions and guide us in addressing the increasingly complex social problems of our day.

Genres: Religion, Jewish, Judaica

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2013

Reviews

[Jan Rice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book would be deep or cutting-edge since the subtitle says "challenges and reflections." But I found it to be more of a conventional survey of historical and current issues. I thought that the discussion of spirituality was on the anemic side, and there is a blandness overall. Who is this book for? Synagogue leaders? And yet for them it would be on the elementary side. I don't think it would be the type of read that would be enticing to the "unaffiliated," either. It wouldn't have been to me!

On the other hand the book looked like a weighty tome but turned out to be a very readable 300+ pages. The best part is the historical aspect which extends right up to the present. There are younger people in this book whom I actually know* (I who have not been involved for all that long)! I just wish their stories had been recounted with more oomph. *On second thought, the reason I know them is that for a number of years the author had a congregation in another town in Georgia. Those examples are local, giving me a better chance to have known them than a reader living in, say, California.

This book doesn't talk about whatever the things are that can't be talked about.

I read this to see if it was a good book for a book study/discussion group, which it isn't, not being penetrating or lively enough. But I'm glad I went on and finished it. It's good to know I can just read through a book quickly to see for myself.

[Michael Berman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the positive side, it provided a very good summary of the history of Reform Judaism in the US, and clearly laid out the challenges inherent in a religion that by its very terms encourages openness and heterodoxy.

There were significant negatives, however. First of all, the book was often quite repetitive. Yes, I know that Reform Judaism is not bound by halachic law. Yes, I know (after having read it what seems like 12 times in the book) that the Gates of Prayer siddur (prayerbook) has ten (!) different Friday night services, many of which don't reference God.

More importantly, though, I get frustrated by books that find fault with something but that don't offer solutions. Yes, I suppose it can be argued, as the author did, that Reform Judaism suffers from its openness, and doesn't offer its adherents enough structure. The author admits, though, that many people are attracted to Reform Judaism specifically because of its flexibility, and he doesn't offer any concrete suggestions on how to increase the structure of the religion without souring people on the religion.

Take this for what it's worth -- I'm not a scholar, just a Reform Jew who is part of a wonderful, vibrant community.

[Buddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book on the history and the challenges facing the Reform Jewish movement. Well worth reading for any lay leader in a Reform congregation.