What is the group’s social hierarchy? Spiritual hierarchy? Organizational hierarchy? The URJ has an institution for higher learning for those interested in become Rabbis, Cantors or Jewish educators in the Reform Jewish Movement. The institutions are called HUC-JIR, or Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, which can be located in Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Jerusalem, and New York.
Synagogue leadership, such as the executive board, are on a volunteer basis, but President, all Vice-President positions, secretary and treasurer must all be elected by board members.
Who are the group’s major figures? The current President is Rabbi Eric Yoffe, the figures most associated with American Reform Judaism was Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise.
What other institutions/companies does the organization use/own? The URJ has youth programs, NFTY-The National Federation of Temple Youth, and their overnight camps which can be found all over the continent. They have Kesher which is an organization for college students. They have numerous other organizations that are for other different age groups. They also have Temple Brotherhood and Temple Sisterhoods on a local and national level.
The URJ also has publications which include the URJ Press, Transcontinental music Publications, the CCAR Press, HUC-JIR press, and the RJ magazine.
How does the organization differentiate itself from other Jewish groups? The Reform movement considers itself unique because it is open to everyone, they are willing to accept and marry couples in which one of the partners is not Jewish. They accept homosexual couples, couples of mixed races as well.
How does the group relate to the non-Jewish world? The Reform Jewish movement is dedicated to helping not only those who are Jewish but those who are not. They are commonly found to run programs that deal with non-Jews and in conjunction with non-Jewish organizations.
How does this organization group its population? The Reform Movement groups their population by age, sex, and geographic population.
What is the group’s relationship with a divine power? The Reform Movement states its beliefs in God, in the policy. They believe that God is the creator; the Jewish people are bound to God that people encounter God’s presence everyday, and that God is eternal. The reform movement believes that torah is the foundation of Jewish life.
How does this group describe Jewish history? How does it describe its own history? The Reform movement states in its policy as well that, “We are Israel, a people aspiring to holiness, singled out through our ancient covenant and our unique history among the nations to be witnesses to God's presence. We are linked by that covenant and that history to all Jews in every age and place.”
What major issues does the community talk about? The Reform Movement discusses such issues as same-sex marriage, Israel, and other hot political topics as well.
What does it take to join this group? You must join your local congregation and pay the annual dues.
What is the group’s economic structure? Its activities are funded through the synagogues that pay their dues to be affiliated with the URJ, and also they have many donors. They publish lists of donors as well as dedicate objects or places to major donors.
posted by Lainna @ 6:34 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home