Jewish History

More than any other leader in American Reform Judaism, Rabbi Alexander Schindler recognized the unique needs of Reform Jews during the more than two decades (1973-1995) he served as president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.

Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (KKBE) is celebrating its 275th anniversary in 2024. Established in Charleston, South Carolina in 1749, KKBE's synagogue is the second oldest synagogue building in the United States and the oldest in continuous use.

A year into our friendship, we sat down to talk about what drew us together. Although we come from different generations - our age difference is 45 years and there will be 32 years between our ordinations as rabbis - we share certain similarities.

Reform movement leaders dissect the questions and responses from the Pew Report on Jewish Americans.

We at the URJ are working with you, our congregations, to instill a love of Israel, make it central to the identity of Reform Jews, and advance efforts toward ensuring that it is a nation of equality, tolerance, pluralism, and justice.