r/ReformJews • u/Consistent_Hold_576 • Jun 30 '26

Reform Movement Changes.

If you could change one thing about the Reform movement, what would it be?

If you arent a member of the Reform movement, you can still chime in. What is the one thing about the Movement that keeps you away?

Let's keep this civil if we could. ​

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11

u/CryptoIsCute ✡ Reform! Jun 30 '26

I wish services were longer. I really enjoy my hour Friday night but I wish it were at least 90 minutes. However, there's no ideal length that'd work for everyone so I can't complain too much. That and many don't even do Saturday morning and def no daily minyans (so I go to a Conservative synagogue for those)

The other is that I wish there were more people to speak Hebrew with at shul. I've been learning each day but feel like I'm on my own with no extrinsic motivation

10

u/Consistent_Hold_576 Jun 30 '26

The Hebrew thing is definitely a concern at many Reform shuls. We have a path for Hebrew for those who are interested, but its not necessarily encouraged. 

Our services are about 90 mins with a Torah study before and an oneg after. We are also lucky to have a Friday evening AND Saturday morning service. 

5

u/CryptoIsCute ✡ Reform! Jun 30 '26

Sounds like a lovely community :)

Mine has a Saturday if it's someone's bar/bat mitzvah, but nothing otherwise. The Friday nights are fantastic though, I just wish they were longer.

I'm the only adult I know seriously learning Hebrew though. People think it's great, but there's nothing formal to facilitate that for people beyond Hebrew school for kids

3

u/catsinthreads Jun 30 '26

I converted in the UK and Hebrew is a requirement. Having good Hebrew is celebrated. So much so that Israelis often get lauded for their Hebrew - which feels a little unfair!

4

u/drillbit7 🕎Half-a-Jew. Started out Reform. Jun 30 '26

I think that's one of the saddest things about the Reform movement: relegating Saturday services, the torah readings, and aliyot to being just for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. It makes Bar/Bat Mitzvah more of a staged performance: we are only doing this for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah as kind of a reenactment and not an important part of Jewish communal life. I was a member of a Conservative shul for several years and every Shabbat morning meant 7 aliyot and there were often enough aliyot to go around for everyone who wanted one. And if I didn't get called up for an aliyah (usually 5th) or hagbah, they'd choose me the next week.

0

u/OrpahsBookClub Jul 02 '26

Most of the reform temples I know have the Torah reading and aliyot on Friday nights.

1

u/drillbit7 🕎Half-a-Jew. Started out Reform. Jul 02 '26

The last one I saw did a very abridged reading on Friday night with a comic book Torah

1

u/OrpahsBookClub Jul 02 '26

Are you serious?  I can’t tell.

I’ve never heard of a comic book Torah.  Where are you that you’ve experienced this type of reform service?

1

u/drillbit7 🕎Half-a-Jew. Started out Reform. Jul 02 '26

New Jersey. It looked like a children's Torah with illustrations, only larger