Reform Judaism outreach

Reform Judaism Outreach refers to the organizational and educational efforts by the Union for Reform Judaism (formerly Union of American Hebrew Congregations) and the Reform Movement as a whole to draw into Jewish life the non-Jewish spouses of interfaith families and seekers who are looking for a new religious home in Judaism.

Reform Outreach was first proposed by Rabbi Alexander M. Schindler, then president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC), the congregational arm of Reform Judaism in North America, at a meeting of the organization's Board of Trustees on December 2, 1978 in Houston, Texas. Deploring the rising rate of intermarriage, which he regarded as a threat to Jewish survival, Rabbi Schindler urged reform congregations to intensify their educational programs and to do "everything possible to draw into Jewish life the non-Jewish spouse of a mixed marriage."

Rabbi Schindler further called on the Reform Movement "to launch a carefully conceived Outreach Program aimed at all Americans who are unchurched and who are seeking roots in religion." He envisioned a "dignified and responsible approach" aimed at "those reared in non-religious homes or those who have become disillusioned with their taught beliefs, the seekers after truth who require a religion which...encourages all questions, and...who need the warmth and comfort of a people will known for its close family ties and of an ancient, noble lineage."

Concerned about a possible Christian backlash, Rabbi Balfour Brickner, then director of the UAHC's Department of Interreligious Affairs, sent a letter to thirty-one prominent Protestant and Catholic clergy asking for their reactions to Rabbi Schindler's proposal to reassert Judaism's missionary legacy. The eighteen who responded reportedly "applauded Schindler's initiative as an affirmation of American religious pluralism, but several cautioned that a missionary drive might embolden Christian groups that target Jews for conversion."

The strongest criticism came from within the Jewish community. Rabbi Moshe Sherer, then president of Agudath Israel of America (Orthodox) called Reform Outreach to non-Jews "a further step to undermine the identity and continuity of the Jewish people." Rabbi Ismar Schorsch, then chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (Conservative), complained, "At a time when...Jewish financial resources are stretched even thinner, it borders on the incredulous to hear of a proposal to put serious money into bringing Judaism to the non-Jewish world." Jack Wertheimer, professor of history, Jewish Theological Seminary of America, warned, "The Jewish community may pay dearly for Reform's bid at proselytizing. Bold pronouncements about missionizing are like a red flag waved in front of a charging bull."

Though Orthodox, Rabbi Emanuel Rackman, then president of Bar Ilan University, was amenable to Rabbi Schindler's Outreach proposals: "To stem the tide of intermarriage today, our present attitude [aversion to conversions and converts] is as helpful as aspirin is for cancer...We need not engage in missionary activity; but when a positive attitude regarding conversion is likely to do more to insure the future of the Jewish people than a negative attitude, we must act accordingly."

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Wikipedia