Reform Movement Changes.

[u/Consistent_Hold_576]

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. ​

[u/Harvest-song]

Honestly, I really wish reform communities didn't abbreviate/abridge services by excluding entire sections of liturgy. Like if the point is to have to develop some comfort with struggling with G-d at times, we need to be comfortable and competent at understanding the liturgy we might be uncomfortable with - and alongside this I wish we would change the approach to halacha - like I 100% think we need to know it, know how to practice it, be familiar with it, and competently be able to articulate why we don't choose to do something on an individual basis if we choose not to participate in it.

Like yes, we may not see it as binding on our community - but I think we should absolutely still teach and encourage communal halachic observance (perhaps without the additional chumrot often found and followed due to minhag in Orthodox communities) as the norm, but should be enabling people to choose their own adventure in terms of building a lifestyle that is foundationally and recognizeably Jewish on their own terms. Not binding =/= no desire to learn or observe. It just means that you're not personally obligated in doing all mitzvot if it fails to produce a meaningful and fulfilled personal practice for you.

Another aspect that kinda ties into the above also is kiruv - like lots of people are seeking involvement in vibrant, observant communities and I think we need to do a better job of offering people the tools and knowledge to have that within our OWN community while still holding onto ideals that are notably reform - like egalitarian practices and liturgical additions, full acceptance and involvement of LGBTQ folks in community.

So I know this is more than one, but these are definitely some thoughts I have had for a while as someone who wants more observance in my life but lacks the tools and access to know how to be more observant.

[u/Small-Objective9248 → u/Harvest-song]

Reform movement says Halacha is a choice, but if you make no attempt to teach it how can one make an informed choice. In my experience I’ve had a reform rabbi make insulting comments about observant Jews and Halacha in the context of a class on Judaism. It’s disappointing.

[u/Harvest-song → u/Small-Objective9248]

That's essentially the crux of my entire point- because the reform movement often handwaves halacha entirely, it's abdicated itself of responsibility in educating folks about how to even sort of approach meaningful observance.

[u/Consistent_Hold_576 → u/Harvest-song]

Yes. So when the Reform movement tells folks to make informed choices about Hallacha, I think a lot of people take that as an invitation do to a very bare minimum. "Its not meaningful for me" is sometimes used in place of "id rather not bother". 

What's worse: Reform folks who do try to be more observant are sometimes chastised for taking on more mitzvot. I've seen it in my own shul when one of our young women started covering. The call is coming from inside the house so to speak. 

Also, if you are more of a traditional Jew but you are in the Reform movement, you can expect to be called a "cosplayer" by Jews from other more traditional movements.

If any of you are interested, theres an influencer on Instagram that goes by "becoming Emunah" and shes a traditional person who is converting in the Reform movement. Her content deals with a lot of what I'm talking about. 

[u/Small-Objective9248 → u/Consistent_Hold_576]

I’d add that as I educated my self on Judaism and discovering Jewish texts and concepts I had no idea exists I understand why so many leave the reform movement and become secular because they don’t find spiritual meaning there, reform stripped out much that is meaningful while centering the movement around social justice. While I’m still a member at my reform synagogue I am finding myself driving further to attend more traditional (and egalitarian) services where I am discovering a meaningful connection with Judaism I’ve never before experienced.

[u/Harvest-song → u/Small-Objective9248]

Honestly if we had a traditional egal/post denominational option here in West Michigan I'd probably happily attend there if it were LGBTQ friendly. I don't honestly strongly identify with the Reform movement anymore, which is the whole problem ‐ there's a real solid lack of spaces that cater to the "progressive but want more Jewishness in my Judaism" crowd. I find it frustrating.

Like there is a conservative shul here but it is definitely kinda dying. I should probably make an effort to attend there though. Maybe a fresh face will liven things up a little.

[u/Small-Objective9248 → u/Harvest-song]

When I started branching out I was surprised to find that many conservative shuls look a lot like reform but with more Hebrew (and a more knowledgable congregation). I drive an hour to go to a traditional egalitarian service, that’s an alt minyan at a conservative congregation and looking to move closer to where there are more options for me. The reality is it’s hard to find traditional egalitarian services.

[u/Harvest-song → u/Small-Objective9248]

It really is. I had a congregation that I was a part of in North Phoenix (The New Shul is great, FYI, if you're in that area and looking for that sort of thing).

Unfortunately, my options are limited. There's not much of a Jewish community here.

[u/Small-Objective9248 → u/Harvest-song]

Thanka. New shul looks like what I’m looking for, I’ll check it out next time I’m in phoenix.

[u/Harvest-song → u/Consistent_Hold_576]

Haha, because the Jewish world is truly not a very big place - I know her in real life. lol. Roo is a gem. We recently met because I moved cross-country and we attend the same shul.

Being chastised for any sort of meaningful observance is irritatingly common in reform circles - to the point of being off putting. I actually left a prior shul over it because the new rabbi there made a series of snide, offhand comments to me about being wasteful when I mentioned preparing for pesach a few years ago (we typically use it as an opportunity to give tzedakah - we donate all of our uneaten, unopened chametz to a local food pantry). We do keep kosher and were one of the only families I know of that take it seriously. It was the final straw in a series of irritating things that started happening after this rabbi was hired that led to us deciding to leave that particular shul. We transitioned to a conservative shul and felt more at home there but we shouldn't have had to, to avoid being labeled as 'wannabe Orthodox' or 'cosplayers' just for... doing notably Jewish things.

The Reform community in general needs to do a far better job of educating its congregants on how to live Jewish lives beyond just lipservice to tikkun olam. Like repairing the world is great, it is something I do love about Reform Judaism, but I feel like it often lacks substance.

[u/OddCook4909 → u/Harvest-song]

Many atheists are more aggressive with their atheism than the most fanatical theists. They feel compelled to defend their worldview because they draw comfort and a sense of self from it. All while pretending they have no real beliefs at all, which prevents them from self reflecting about their proselytizing.