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date: 05 March 2021

Abstract and Keywords

This chapter traces the emergence of Reform Jewish ethical sensibility from its early days in nineteenth-century Germany through its evolution to modern America, Israel, and beyond, identifying four major sensibilities that, while chronologically presented, are nevertheless found among contemporary Reform Jews. These include the notion that ethics rightfully should be the first theology of Judaism, a passion for tikkun olam (repairing the world from injustices), a suspicion and critique of modernity, and an ethics of authenticity.

Keywords: Reform Jews, Jewish ethics, Germany, ethical sensibility, Jewish theology, tikkun olam, modernity, authenticity

Michael Marmur

Michael Marmur is the Vice-President for Academic Affairs of the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, where he also teaches Jewish Theology. He holds a B.A. degree from Oxford University, M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Rabbinic Ordination from the Jerusalem School of the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion. Specializing in the thought of Abraham Joshua Heschel, he has lectured widely on modern Jewish thought, homiletics, Reform Zionism, and pluralistic Jewish education. His articles can be found in The Jewish Quarterly Review, Shofar, The CCAR Journal, Manna, and publications such as Jewish Theology in Our Time and New Essays In American Jewish History.

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