JULIE WIENER

Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Pittsburgh

A

fter two years of debate, six
drafts and 30 last-minute
amendments, the Reform
movement's much-antici-
pated "Statement of Principles" was
adopted overwhelmingly Wednesday.
The statement seeks to reverse the
movement's 1885 Pittsburgh Platform,
a defining document that had strident-
ly rejected Jewish tradition and rituals.
The new statement aims to redefine
Reform Judaism for the coming years:
celebrating the movement's growing
acceptance of tradition and spirituali-
ty, while reaffirming its longtime com-
mitment to inclusion, social action
and diversity of thought.
The vote, 324-68 with nine absten-
tions, was the emotional climax of the
Central Conference of American
Rabbis' four-day convention here this
week. Many said the final document
lacked passion and intensity, but the
majority found it a comfortable affir-
mation of the mainstream of what they
and their congregants believe and do.
The principles consist of a preamble
urging Reform Jews to "engage in a dia-
logue with the sources of our tradition"
and statements about Reform Jews' rela-
tionships with God, Torah, the Jewish
people and the Land of Israel.
Among other things, the document:
Affirms the importance of studying
Hebrew
• Promotes lifelong Jewish learning
• Calls for observance of mitzvot,
or commandments, "that address us as
individuals and as a community"
• Urges observance in some form
of Shabbat and holidays
• Encourages tikkun olam, which
the Reform movement emphasizes as
social action, and tzedaka, or charita-
ble aivina
b.
b
"Some of these mitzvot, sacred
obligations, have long been observed
by Reform Jews; others, both ancient
and modern, demand renewed atten-
don as a result of the unique context
of our own times," says the document.
Earlier drafts of the principles,
including a version that appeared in
Reform Judaism magazine six months
ago, specified other mitzvot, such as
observing kashrut (laws of keeping
kosher), and wearing kipot (skullcaps)
and tallitot (prayer shawls), "in the
presence of God.
In the end, the Reform rabbis
adopted a document that was very dif-
ferent from the original, one that
many rabbis here believed had been

5/28

1999
10 Detroit Jewish News

Reforming Reform

expressed disappointment with the
way the platform had been changed.
"The principles now are not partic-
ularly substantive," said Rabbi Richard
Kirschen, assistant director of the
University Of Michigan Hillel in Ann
Arbor. "I want a document that
reflects who I am as a Reform rabbi,
and this doesn't."
While both supporters and oppo-
nents complained of the statement's
blandness, many acknowledged that
insipidness is the fate of any commit-
tee-written document. •
They also said that the Reform
Attendees at the Central
movement's rank-and-file members
Conference Of American
might not be ready yet for something
Rabbis before the vote.
stronger, and that the statement should
Photographers were not
be viewed as 'a beginning, rather than
allowed on the convention
the last word on Reform Judaism.
fl oor during the debate.
The movement's commitment to
diversity of thought was highlighted
during Tuesday night's lively — if pro-
longed — discussion on proposed
a al XS
Xi Xi a r
amendments at the CCAR convention.
m it
The evening was filled with pas-
At
w.%„
sionate
debate on everything from the
ia a k•,..
correct application of Robert's Rules
of Order and grammatical fine points
Reform's new principles affirm
to just how accepting the movement
a historic commitment to inclusion
should be of interfaith families.
One of the most heated discussions
and diversity of thought but also
surrounded an amendment involving
embrace the growing drive for
the intermarried.
The amendment, which initially
tradition and spirituality. Some
implied openness to all intermarried
find the platform bland.
families, was changed — after much
debate — to say, "We are an inclusive
community, opening doors to Jewish
life to people of all ages, to varied
kinds of families, to all regardless of
In a brief phone interview following the
their sexual orientation, to gerim,
vote, Rabbi Harold S. Loss of Temple Israel
those who have converted to Judaism,
in West Bloomfield praised the new plat-
and to all individuals and families,
form as "a good source for a great deal of
including the intermarried, who
commentary and discussion. He noted
strive to create a Jewish home."
that "the vast majority of the document
Throughout the debate, shouts, ayes
reflects the way we already do business at
and nays alternated with laughter and
Temple Israel."
applause. With the aroma of popcorn
Three other Detroit-area rabbis attended
and other late-night snacks wafting
the Pittsburgh convention, including Rabbi
through the air, the proceeding — in
Arnie Sleutelberg of Congregation Shir
a packed hotel ballroom — took on a
Tikvah in Troy who was involved in the last
carnival-like atmosphere at times.
draft of the document. Before leaving for
Minor skirmishes erupted over the
the convention, Rabbi Dannel Schwartz of
chair's decision not to let someone
West Bloomfield's Temple Shir Shalom
speak out of order. There was discord
called the document "a healthy platform,"
as to whether "encouraging" immi-
and Rabbi David Scott Castiglione of
gration to Israel would render
Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Township
American Judaism . extinct (the rabbis
said he was going with "no preconceptions."
voted no, it would not).
Although the debate was initially
Shelli Dorfman
allotted a modest two hours, it quickly

After heated debate, movement's rabbis
approve 'centrist' changes in principles.

diluted too much. Critics said
the Seemingly endless revisions
made for a " parve" (neutral)
document with little energy or
inspiration.
Rabbi Richard Levy, outgo
ing president of the CCAR,
called the adoption of the prin-
ciples a "wonderful moment for
Reform Jews.
Levy, who had authored the
Reform Judaism piece and had
been pictured on the cover of the
movement's magazine wearina a
b
yarmulke (another word fOr skull-
cap) and kissing a tzitzit (fringe)
on his prayer shawl, said the doc-
ument "will liberate Reform Jews
to say there is nothing in the
Torah which is barred to me."
When asked to respond to
critics who said it was watered
down from his original version,
Levy said, "What was passed was
a statement that reflected the
large number of Reform Jews."
Levy, who stressed the reaffir-
mation of Reform Judaism's com-
mitment to inclusiveness and
social action, said, "I hope the
Pittsburgh principles will deepen
the lives of Reform Jews and
make the entire community
aware of our seriousness."
Since the publication of
Levy's article, the principles had
sparked debates about the identi-
ty of Reform Judaism, which
claims more American Jews than
any other movement.
Many rabbis in Pittsburgh

Local Reaction

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