The Movement for Reform Judaism

All Reform Synagogues are ‘autonomous’. Although all are members of the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain, they are not ‘owned’ by a central body. They belong to their members and are funded entirely by the members, mainly through annual subscriptions. Anyone who cannot afford the full subscription rate will be treated with sensitivity and understanding. Whilst synagogues need money to survive and develop, no one need feel excluded from the life of the community for financial reasons.

Reform Synagogues are a special partnership between the Rabbi and the lay members. Although the Rabbi is paid by the community, she or he is neither the sole authority nor a junior employee. Rather, the Rabbi and the lay leadership, the elected Council, form a partnership and share concern for all aspects of Synagogue life. In larger Synagogues, the community benefits from a number of full-time professionals, for instance trained directors of education, youth workers and community administrators.

Most Reform Rabbis in Britain were trained at the Leo Baeck College, undergoing a five year, full-time, post graduate programme during which time they gained Masters degrees in higher Jewish studies and underwent equally intensive training in ‘professional skills’ such as pastoral care, counselling and education.

No two Reform Synagogues are identical. Each reflects the history and geography of the community, the needs of the membership and the personality of the Rabbi. You will readily see this in the style of service – organ or no organ, choir or no choir, the position of the bimah (reading desk) and so on. Increasingly Reform Synagogues are coming to realise that, to meet the needs of members and prospective members of very different ages and backgrounds, they need to provide a wide range of programmes – ‘many doors in’ is the shorthand phrase. There is also a strong emphasis on in-reach – valuing each individual member – and out-reach, encouraging more and more people to take the important step of joining and participating.

Whilst difference and choice are positive features of Reform communities, all pride themselves on being welcoming and providing real caring and support for people. Nothing is more important, in our view, than starting from ‘where people are’ and valuing each and every individual, not ‘passing judgment’.

All Reform Synagogues will support you in lifecycle events including circumcision, bar/bat mitzvah, marriage, funeral and shivah. Simply contact your synagogue or prospective synagogue.

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