Reform Judaism: An Exploration of our Role and our Future

Many of the greatest contributions of Reform Judaism also present its greatest challenges. It seeks to be innovative while at the same time embracing tradition. It casts a wide tent while at the same time seeking to have core beliefs. It allows for personal autonomy while at the same time desiring a community based on shared values. It holds the Torah as sacred while concurrently not holding all its teachings to be binding.

As we candidly assess the movement we will also look ahead: How can Reform Judaism best elevate the role Judaism plays in the lives of our people? What should we be doing to foster a strong commitment to Israel? How do we best ensure that we create committed Jewish children and grandchildren? We will grapple with those issues and more as we reflect on the role of Reform Judaism in shaping the Jewish future.

Our distinguished panel includes:

Rabbi Aaron Panken, Ph.D., President of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) and its four campuses

Dr. Josh Holo, Dean, Los Angeles campus of HUC-JIR

Rabbi Dvora Weisberg, Ph.D, Professor of Rabbinic Studies, HUC-JIR in Los Angeles.

Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, Senior Rabbi of Stephen Wise Temple.

Moderator: Rabbi David Woznica, Stephen Wise Temple.

Presented by Stephen Wise Temple in cooperation with Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.