Origins in 19th-Century Germany

Reform Judaism emerged in early 19th-century Germany as Jews gained civil rights and sought to reconcile Jewish tradition with modern life. The Hamburg Temple (1818) introduced changes such as prayers in the vernacular, an organ, and a shorter, more decorous service.

Shaping a Movement

Thinkers like Abraham Geiger argued that Judaism had always evolved and that each generation could interpret tradition anew. This principle of informed choice rooted in tradition remains central to Reform Judaism today.

Reform in North America

Reform became the largest Jewish movement in North America. Two landmark statements shaped it:

• The Pittsburgh Platform (1885) emphasized Judaism as an evolving, rational, ethical faith.
• The Columbus Platform (1937) renewed commitment to Jewish peoplehood, Zionism, and traditional practice.

A Global Movement

Today the World Union for Progressive Judaism unites Reform, Liberal, Progressive, and Reconstructionist communities. Together they include over 1,250 congregations in more than 50 countries, serving an estimated 1.8 million people.