Introduction
In mid-March, the World Union for Progressive Judaism — an organization that brings together Reform Jewish communities outside the United States — held its Biennial Conference, for the first time in the United States, in Washington, D.C. For the first time, a delegation from Germany’s emerging Progressive Jewish congregations took part in this conference.
I was privileged to attend and help the German congregations make an important statement about the viability of Progressive Jewish life in Germany. It was just last year that a World Union executive (no longer with the organization) expressed the opinion that Jews who live in Germany do not deserve to be helped by other Jews! To the organization’s credit, the German delegation was warmly welcomed and given several important opportunities to highlight its successes and its challenges. This is a report of some of the highlights of the Biennial.
Spreading the Message — The “Booth”
With the assistance of the Jewish Appleseed Foundation, an attractive display was created to highlight the energy, accomplishments, and
challenges of Progressive Jewish congregations in Germany today. Among the materials offered was a new, 16-page booklet, Rebirth and Renewal: Progressive Judaism in Germany. Produced under a grant from the Jewish Appleseed Foundation, the booklet describes all of the Progressive congregations that are members of the Union of Progressive Jews in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It also includes contact information for the congregations and organizations in Germany that support Progressive Jewish life in the German-speaking countries.
Also of interest was a trilingual (English, Russian, German) tzedaka box, created for Jüdische Gemeinde Hameln by JAF, and a special mouse pad with an illustration by artist Neil Yerman. The mouse pad has been created to promote JGH’s new Web site, JGHReform.org, which was designed by JAF’s Webmaster, Jim Van Abbema, and which is supported by JAF.
Formal Meetings
At the European Board meeting, Rachel Dohme was given the opportunity to discuss the special challenges of Germany’s 13 Progressive Congregations and the need for adequate funds to build the country’s Progressive Jewish infrastructure. Her message was well received.
A special workshop, led by congregational leaders Debby Tal-Reüttiger (Gudensberg), Lauren Rid (Munich), and Rachel Dohme, presented the facts of Progressive Jewish life in Germany to a largely American audience. The workshop was lively and well attended.
Informal Meetings
During the five-day conference, there were many excellent opportunities to speak with American Jewish lay leaders about the situation in Germany as well as the importance of American support for German Progressive Jewish communities. Because this is a difficult concept for many Americans, JAF is producing an educational package for American synagogues and other institutions to explain the necessity for facing this issue. To find out more about this program, please contact JAF.
During the Biennial, JAF hosted a special dinner in honor of the German delegation. Strictly a social affair, the dinner provided a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere in which the German delegates could establish friendly relationships with American Jewish lay leaders, World Union staff members, and members of Washington’s Jewish community.
German Progressive Judaism: Milestones
1783, first German Torah translation; 1801, first Reform school open in Seesen, Germany; 1810, first German Reform synagogue opens; 1850–1870, establishment of Progressive synagogues throughout Germany; 1938, Kristallnacht begins the destruction of German Jewish communities; 1990–present, 80,000 Jews from the FSU settle in Germany, and new Progressive congregations form to meet the needs of the new immigrants; 1997, Union of Progressive Jews in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (UPJ) is established; March 2001, a delegation of German Progressive leaders participates in the World Union Biennial in Washington, D.C.
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