Rise of Reform Judaism

Reform Judaism is a liberal branch of Judaism that arose in Germany in the early 19th century, as Jews gained civil rights and sought to bring their religious life into line with modern society. Pioneers such as Israel Jacobson and later the rabbi Abraham Geiger introduced services in the vernacular, choirs and organ music, shorter liturgies and a critical approach to religious law. The movement held that Judaism could evolve over time while preserving its ethical core. It spread to the United States, where Isaac Mayer Wise founded institutions such as Hebrew Union College, and the Pittsburgh Platform set out its principles. Today it is one of the largest Jewish denominations in North America.

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