What is Reform Judaism?

    
Reform Judaism is living Judaism. It is a religious philosophy rooted in nearly four millennia of Jewish tradition, whilst actively engaged with modern life and thought. This means both an uncompromising assertion of eternal truths and values and an open, positive attitude to new insights and changing circumstances. It is a living, evolving faith that Jews of today and tomorrow can live by.

In keeping with this, we adopt an open and positive attitude to Jews, welcoming all as they are rather than as others think they should be. We include many whose families have been Reform Jews for generations. We constantly welcome others whose upbringing was in orthodox communities. We are also a beacon of welcome for those who have drifted away from formal association with the community through apathy, antipathy or out-marriage.

We welcome. We count people in. We solve problems rather than create them. We seek to open doors, not to erect barriers. We understand doubt. We prize our Jewish tradition of questioning. We know that answers are often provisional, fragmentary, glimpses on a journey towards a living truth and reality that is always before us.

Acknowledgement: This statement of Reform Judaism is by Rabbi Tony Bayfield, Head of the Reform Movement.



North West Surrey Synagogue is a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism. For more information about the Movement, see their website