Is Reform Judaism About Modernity Or Tradition? With Rabbi Rick Jacobs
4/22/202640 min
Will Reform Judaism be defined by the past, or the future? Does it emphasize the Jewish community, or the community at large? Does it feature personal choice, or obligation? Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, joins Noam to explore these queries, and the meaningful tension they create. Plus: Reform Judaism's evolution on Zionism, and uplifting stories from congregations that were attacked in Mississippi and Michigan. Learn more about the URJ by visiting urj.org Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. This episode is sponsored in memory of Leo M. Bernstein.
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsNoam Weissman· Host0:00
[upbeat music] Hey, everyone. Welcome to Wandering Jews with Michal and Noam. This podcast is our way of trying to unpack those really big questions being asked in the world today about Israel, about Judaism, about Jewish identity, about the Jewish experience. As you may have guessed by now, I'm riding solo today, and, uh, without Michal, which I miss Michal a lot today, but it's, it's a really awesome episode. We are already a few episodes into our series on denominations, and I personally have learned a ton. I know Michal has as well. And I want you to be sure to write in, to comment, to tell us what you've learned, what you've gained, what you've uncovered for yourself, what maybe you think about differently now as a result of engaging in this series. And today, we're going to be talking about Reform Judaism with Rabbi Rick Jacobs. He's the perfect person to speak to about the history of Reform Judaism, the present of Reform Judaism, the future of Reform Judaism. Some really interesting and maybe tough questions about Reform Judaism. He is the president of the Union for Reform Judaism, which represents around eight hundred and twenty-five congregations here in North America. That's like two million people. Rabbi Rick Jacobs, welcome to Wandering Jews.
Rick Jacobs· Guest1:18
It's good to be with you.
Noam Weissman· Host1:19
Thank you. Thank you so much. Okay, so, uh, here's what I wanna do. I really wanna understand your story. I really wanna understand Reform Judaism. There's no better person to have this conversation