Charles Liebman was one of the most important sociologists of American Judaism. In 1980 he wrote The Future of Conservative Judaism in the United States. Here are some of his words from thirty years ago. The Conservative movement will confront serious membership declines in the next decade or two. I know of no survey which [...]
In December, 2009, the Van Leer Institute hosted the conference, Conservative Judaism: Halakhah, Culture, and Sociology. Videos of the conference proceedings have been posted online. I am pretty sure that most, if not all, of the sessions are in Hebrew. (hat tip and thanks)
Here is a lengthy, interesting, and in my opinion, honest, interview with the Chancellor of JTS Arnold Eisen. Below are some snippits. The definition of our message has become a priority for several reasons. One is that on our left side, in the Reform movement, there have been changes that have made it look more [...]
The Masorti Movement in Israel has published a new edition of their siddur, ואני תפילתי. A description of the siddur can be found here. The siddur will be distributed by the Yediot Achronot publishing house so it should be available in many bookstores within the next few days.
While the title is a bit too Star Treky for me, it will most likely be an interesting evening: ———– Three influential leaders and thinkers of Conservative Judaism will probe the changes required if Conservative Judaism is to speak confidently and authentically to a new generation in a new century. The program, “Conservative Judaism: The [...]
In a recent interview with the Jerusalem Post, among a number of interesting comments, R. Norman Lamm said “With a heavy heart we will soon say kaddish on the Reform and Conservative Movements.” I keep wondering whether Lamm was speaking in hyperbole or that he really believes that in the near future HUC, the URJ, [...]
There is a good article in the Forward on the dilemmas facing the Conservative Movement. (hat tip) There are a number of interesting books, some which I haven’t read at all, about religion in America that I have learned about through numerous blog posts and comments on those posts which discuss some of the issues [...]
Those who are interested can read JTS Chancellor Arnold Eisen’s inaugural speech. I think that his most important point is that JTS should not be involved with ivory tower scholarship. “Our mission is scholarship for the sake of Torah: for that sake, that is, of Jewish tradition, the Jewish people, and—through both of these—the world.” [...]
You are currently browsing the archives for the Conservative Judaism category.