Reform Judaism Magazine 8/99

A Statement of Principles for Reform Judaism

The "Pittsburgh Principles" were adopted
at the CCAR convention, May 1999/Sivan 5759.

INTRODUCTION

On May 26, 1999, after heated debate and several revisions, the Central Conference of American Rabbis--the representative organization of North America's Reform rabbis--voted 324 to 68 to adopt "A Statement of Principles for Reform Judaism." The vote took place at the CCAR convention in Pittsburgh, PA, the city where American Reform Judaism's first set of guidelines, "The Pittsburgh Platform," was adopted in 1885.

The "Statement of Principles" generated much debate after the third draft (then entitled "Ten Principles for Reform Judaism") appeared in our Winter 1998 edition. In response, drafts four, five, and six were created; the final approved statement appears here.

The "Pittsburgh Principles" are not designed to impose a "Reform ideology or practice" on individual congregants or to compromise the autonomy of UAHC member congregations. The document celebrates the diversity of belief and practice, even as it encourages Reform Jews to be open to the entire range of Jewish religious expression.

As the next stage, the UAHC and CCAR will organize study sessions on the new document and encourage both lay leaders and rabbis to explore the implications of the Principles by writing commentaries to clarify and enrich the text. Reform Judaism magazine welcomes your reactions to the "Statement of Principles for Reform Judaism." Please feel free to write to us and participate in our continuing online discussion.

- The Editors

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A Statement of Principles for Reform Judaism

The "Pittsburgh Principles" were adopted at the CCAR convention, May 1999/Sivan 5759.

INTRODUCTION

The "Pittsburgh Principles" were adopted
at the CCAR convention, May 1999/Sivan 5759.