MODERN DENOMINATIONS OF JUDASIMFrom Living Judaism by Rabbi Wayne Dosick

Orthodox Judaism

Mainstream Judaism Belief in the direct revelation of divine

law which was recorded in the Torah It is eternal, unchanging, and the sole guide

for life Carefully and strictly observe the

commandments as the direct will of God Ultra-Orthodox assert that complete

separation from secular society

Famous for their dress. From eastern Europe in the early 18th C. Emphasizes both contemplative meditation and fervent joy.

Lubavitch Chasidism (Chabad) is contemporary American Chasidism

Chasidism—Sect of Orthodox

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Reform Judaism

Early 19th C. Germany Assert authorship of Torah to Divinely

inspired human beings Modern worship mostly in vernacular

Conservative Judaism

Response to Reform mid to late 19th C. Europe

Agree that change was necessary but felt Reform had eliminated too many basic Jewish practices

Motto is “tradition and change” Fiddler on the Roof

Reconstructionist Judaism

Early 1920s in US by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan

Judaism is not merely a religion, but an evolving religious civilization, a peoplehood, a culture, as well as a faith community

All of Judaism

To accept Torah and fulfill its mitzvot To embrace the ethical mandate of Judaism To regulate existence to Judaism’s rituals & observances To support Jewish causes To be a devoted member of the Jewish community To maintain a bond and a sense of mutual

interdependence with the Jewish Land To feel a connection to Jewish history To be committed to the creative survival of the Jewish

future