American Reform Judaism: An Introduction Review

Dana Kaplan, a Waterbury native who is a liberal Albany, Ga., rabbi and University of Miami professor, takes a look at the major force in American Judaism, the reform movement, in this profound and provocative book. But more than a history and survey, it is an assessment that spells out principles on what is needed for the reform movement to achieve its full potential. He argues that Reform Judaism's "liberal theology” which is attractive to many highly educated, secular-oriented contemporary Americans” makes it difficult to create the type of committed religious community which can perpetuate that commitment from decade to decade and from generation to generation. " He says the "lack of a strong and compelling theology forms the weak underbelly of the movement."

John Daley
July 20, 2003

BACK