The Movement for Reform Judaism

Though JABE ruled that Reform rabbis could not lecture on business ethics under its auspices, Reform rabbis continue to speak on the subject. Rabbi Michaels spoke about the history of how and why business ethics became important for Jews, and gave examples of the impact that Jewish ethics have had on the way we do business in contemporary society.

On discovering that, had they approached JABE for a speaker, the B’nei Brith group would not have been sent Rabbi Michaels; one member of the audience - which spanned all sections of the community - commented that this was a “terrible shame”. June Gilbert, Joint Chair of the Programmes Committee, commented that this news was “received with considerable interest”.

Rabbi Michaels added that “Jewish audiences still want to hear from Reform rabbis on this subject. While halacha for business ethics is the same for Orthodox and Reform rabbis, the way in which we implement it can be different depending on how we interpret ‘business’ and ‘ethics’.”

Before graduating from the Leo Baeck College in 1996, Rabbi Michaels had a distinguished business career, holding senior executive positions in multi-national corporations in finance, marketing and corporate planning. 

Meanwhile, work continues on the establishment of a cross-communal organisation to stand alongside JABE as a vehicle for promoting corporate and individual Jewish ethics. Further developments are expected in late autumn.

For further details, please contact:
Andrea Newman, Movement for Reform Judaism Public Relations Officer

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