Discussion of major ideas, figures and issues within the major Jewish denominations.

1. Jewish Denominational Diversity
in America
Prepared for Thursday Night Cholent
presentation on 8/2/2012

2. Jewish Denominational Organizations
Reform Conservative Orthodox
Congregational Union of American United Synagogue Union of Orthodox
Hebrew of America Jewish
Congregations Congregations of
(UAHC) America (UOJCA or
“OU”)
Educational Hebrew Union Jewish Theological Rabbi Isaac Elhanan
College (HUC) Seminary (JTS) Theological
Seminary (RIETS)
Rabbinical Central Conference Rabbinical Rabbinical
of American Rabbis Assembly (RA) Conference of
(CCAR) America (RCA)

3. Reform Practices
Reform Conservative (JTSB) Orthodox
Denationalized yes no no
prayer book
Mixed choir yes yes - Non-mixed no
Family pews yes Yes by Cons. no
No second-day yes yes no
holiday
Liturgical organ yes yes no
Abbreviated liturgy yes yes ?
Vernacular prayers yes No; some no
translation
Sermon in yes yes yes
Vernacular
No head covering yes no no
Late Friday evening yes Yes by Cons. ?
services

4. Pittsburgh Platform-1885

5. Isaac Mayer
Wise

6. Stephen
Wise; Free
Synagogue

7. Mordecai
Kaplan

8. Solomon
Schechter

10. Rabbi Jacob Joseph (RJJ)

11. Henry Pereira Mendes

12. Moses
Zevulun
Margolies
(Ramaz)

13. Joseph Lookstein