Conservative Judaism
The Decline of the Rabbi-IntellectualTuesday, April 30, 2013 by Zach Mann | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features
The congregation-based scholars of yesteryear labored to make Judaism intellectually stimulating as well as emotionally stirring and politically applicable.
Opening the Gates of JudaismWednesday, February 20, 2013 by Motti Inbari | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features
Given the demographic and spiritual decline among “biological” Jews in America, if we want to keep Judaism alive, we must do something that we haven't done for 2000 years: proselytize.
Denominational DelusionsWednesday, February 6, 2013 by Andrew Apostolou | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features
With synagogues closing, congregations ageing, and the non-Orthodox majority dwindling, American Jews are caught in a crisis. Yet no one is tackling the root of this problem: intermarriage.
It’s All in the AngleFriday, February 1, 2013 by Jack Riemer | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features
In his new collection of essays, ultra-Orthodox rabbi Avi Shafran disputes the scientific worldview on its own terms. But he refuses to acknowledge scientific challenges to Judaism.
Can Reform Judaism Get Its Mojo Back?Friday, November 9, 2012 by Evan Moffic | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features
The American Jewish community as a whole cannot survive if there is no non-Orthodox movement to which American Jews can belong; in other words, survival depends on a strong Reform movement. But in light of current trends, is that possible?
Is Judaism a Proselytizing Religion?Friday, October 19, 2012 by Shlomo M. Brody | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features
When Mitt Romney became the Republican Presidential candidate, some of the media attention focused on his experience as a Mormon missionary in France and asked, subtly or not so subtly, whether a member of a proselytizing religion could properly lead a pluralistic society.
The Birth of Conservative JudaismTuesday, July 10, 2012 by Lawrence Grossman | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features
My little corner of Queens, New York, where the six Conservative synagogues that existed two decades ago have dwindled to two, epitomizes the national movement.
Milton SteinbergA different sort of book launch took place yesterday at New York's Park Avenue Synagogue, a flagship of the Conservative movement. Being celebrated was the release of a long-lost novel left unfinished at the time of the author's death 60 years ago. The author was Milton Steinberg, who once served as the synagogue's rabbi and was among the most influential American Jews of the 20th century. Steinberg's early thought was molded by three teachers. At City College, the philosopher Morris Raphael Cohen imbued in him a commitment to philosophical rationalism. Rabbi Jacob Kohn taught him that the life of the...
Editors' Picks
The Paradox of Choice Peter Berger, American Interest. "Judaism in America is faced with a paradox: Traditionally understood, being a Jew is a matter of destiny . . . But in American society today, remaining a Jew is in fact a matter of choice."
The Outreach Revolution Jack Wertheimer, Commentary. The gap between Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews in America is supposed to be widening. But Orthodox outreach is increasing contact—and invigorating non-Orthodox communities.
Community, Covenant, and Commitment George E. Johnson, Jewish Ideas and Ideals. While Joseph B. Soloveitchik ruled out religious collaboration with non-Orthodox Jews, he advocated political unity. But since his death, American Jewry has fractured.
Online Ordination Josh Nathan-Kazis, Forward. As Conservative and Reform synagogues in America opt for rabbis ordained through cheap online correspondence courses, official seminaries might soon struggle to compete.
America's Holy Haunted Houses Allan Nadler, Jewish Ideas Daily. Halloween is most certainly no Jewish holiday; yet its spooky mood is curiously congruent with the ambience that overcomes American synagogues this time of year.
Conserving Halakhah Jonathan Mark, Jewish Week. As Conservative Jews increasingly lose interest in Jewish law, a new book from the movement’s Rabbinical Assembly argues that halakhic observance is inseparable from the pursuit of an ethical lifestyle.
Conservative Jews Walk the Intermarriage Tightrope Julie Wiener, Jewish Week. The rabbi will counsel you, but stay off the bimah. The synagogue will welcome you warmly—but you can’t actually join. Intermarriage is here. Conservative Judaism tries to adjust.
Equal Rights for . . . Heterosexuals? Mayrav Saar, New York Post. Spouses aren’t property, divorces are easier—Jewish same-sex marriages are leaving some heterosexual couples jealous.
Rabbinical School Encounters Matt Abelson, SPME. “My willingness to criticize the Palestinians, in general, and their political leadership, specifically, was not mainstream.” A Conservative rabbi-in-training responds to Elliot Jager, and to his peers.
Sacred Spa(ce) Allison Hoffman, Tablet. Imagine a place where Jews can go in times of illness, mourning, divorce, gender reassignment; to think about intimacy, body image, fertility . . . . Meet the new mikveh.