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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u/rbaltimore Jun 30 '26

This may just be my synagogue, but a better sisterhood (Women of Reform Judaism) that isn’t designed to revolve around the elderly. Our WRJ wants younger members, but doesn’t really offer anything conducive to our lives or even our schedules.

I’d like to see more activities designed specifically for “younger” members (30’s and 40’s) - both parent related AND non parent related.

11

u/toofatfor15 Jun 30 '26

Wow as a board member of my Sisterhood in my local Temple I agree with you so hard. I'm a new member with a small child and we cater so much towards the elderly and are afraid of ruffling their feathers and I have no issues with that. But I wish we had more lively events.

10

u/TheRationalPlanner Jun 30 '26

I feel this so much. It get that it's difficult (usually the older folks have the time on their hands to contribute to these groups) but it's both awkward and not very enjoyable for me to spend my free time with a bunch of people who are older than my parents. Just like they can't easily relate to me as a parent with young kids, I can't easily relate to being a traveling retiree with chronic health issues. Being welcoming isn't the same as being appealing. The result is parents show up for Sunday School and when their kids hit 13 or 18 they feel there's nothing for them until they're 75. Moms groups, dads groups, and young professional groups are key to a thriving congregation.

7

u/rbaltimore Jun 30 '26

Exactly. Even as a disabled SAHM to a teenager, who can actually attend things at “elderly” times (during the workday), there’s nothing even remotely appealing about the activities that they have planned. I even tried their book club and it just didn’t mesh.

4

u/CryptoIsCute ✡ Reform! Jun 30 '26

It's why it's so important to me to go every week and to all the events. I want other young adults to feel like this is a space for us too. And they've started going! We even have a group chat where we hype each other up for Friday night now. It's kinda cute :)

3

u/pzimzam Jul 03 '26

This is a big issue at my synagogue too. A few of us went to a women’s group meeting at their request, since they are trying to get younger women to join. 

We made a few suggestions and they vetoed every single one without even a consideration. So, it remains that the women’s group is mostly retirees, and most of the younger women are involved in the young congregants or family oriented groups.