Conservative Judaism began in the mid-19th century as a reaction against the Reform rabbis
The Reform movement began with the presumption that it would come to represent all of American Jewry. However, its leadership and constituency were not of one mind. It included those of impeccable Orthodoxy as well as moderate Reformers, and another group that was somewhere in between.
This third group formed the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1886, with the stated purpose of training traditional rabbis. At first, JTS was also supported by Orthodox Jews as well, but a group of wealthy Jewish supporters brought about a change in its focus to producing rabbis trained to modernize and Americanize Eastern European Jewish immigrants who were arriving in the United States in large numbers.
To that end, they brought Solomon Schechter, a world-renowned rabbinic scholar from England who was neither Orthodox or Reform. Under his leadership, JTS became the vanguard of a new movement, Conservative Judaism, which is known as Masorti Judaism outside of the United States and Canada.
Conservative Judaism was especially popular among the children of recent Jewish immigrants who were wanted to retain Jewish traditions while eliminating what they viewed as old-world vestiges.
Synagogues were established following the standard liturgy, but in which men and women sat together rather than apart, and where English readings supplemented the Hebrew prayers. Rabbis delivered sermons in English, often on the relevance of Jewish teachings on contemporary issues.
The Conservatives organized as the United Synagogues of America in 1913, which continues to be its main congregational arm in North America, while the Jewish Theological Seminary of America still serves as its rabbinic seminary.
The word conservative is intended to indicate that Jews should conserve Jewish traditions rather than reform or abandon them. It does not suggest political conservatism.
Conservative Judaism does not emphasize theology. Its early leadership believed that theology was alien to traditional Judaism. It wasn't until 1985 that the Jewish Theological Seminary developed a course in Conservative theology, and its theology is accepting of a variety of positions and conflicting views.
Conservative Judaism does uphold the concept of a personal God and Creator of the universe. Most Conservative theologians adhere to the idea of the immortality of the soul, but other references obscure the issue.
Conservatives differ on the concept of revelation, with some believing that scripture was a purely human product, others that God projected a message to the human authors, whose perceptions of this message were recorded as scripture, and still others that God inspired the authors of scripture, but that the words and message were their own.
Conservative Jews do offer fidelity and commitment to Halakha, the collective body of Jewish religious laws derived from both the Written and Oral Torah, holding that Jews must observe the precepts, dietary ordinances, rituals, prayers, and the like, although it maintains that these laws have always been subject to evolution.
The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards (CJLS) serves as the central authority on Halakha within Conservative Judaism.
Beyond the United States and Canada, the Conservative Judaism movement does not have much of a presence. Worldwide, Conservative Jews are united under the umbrella organization, Masorti Olami. Masorti synagogues and communities are found in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and the United Kingdom. While not officially affiliated with Masorti Olami, the Hungarian Neolog Judaism, is similar in its organization and concepts.
Its global youth movement is known as NOAM, whose North American chapter is the United Synagogue Youth.
Topics related to Conservative Judaism are the focus of topics in this category, which may also be known as Masorti Olami.
Recommended Resources
Known as Conservative Judaism in the United States and Canada, Masorti Judaism is also referred to as Traditional Judaism outside of North America. Representing a network of traditional Jewish communities across the United Kingdom, the site introduces the senior rabbi, and provides a profile of the work and legacies of traditional Jews in the UK. A schedule of events, project reports, and career opportunities are published to the site.
https://masorti.org.uk/
The World Council of Conservative/Masorti Synagogues acts to renew and strengthen the lives of Jewish people throughout the world, with a special focus on developing communities in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the former Soviet Union. Its ideology, a mission statement, organizational structure, board of directors, and staff are posted to the site, and Masorti scholars are acknowledged.
https://masortiolami.org/
Created to provide for the needs of Traditional-Egalitarian and Masorti-Conservative Jewish communities on more than thirty college campuses in the United States and Canada, offering a variety of student programs, including student leadership training, all funded through private donations. Its programs, projects, and campuses are highlighted, along with profiles and testimonials, contacts, and support information.
http://masorticampus.org/
Noam is a Masorti Jewish community. Within Masorti Judaism, it operates in the Halachic framework laid down by Masorti rabbis. Its statement of purpose, support for Zionism, the Kehillah community, Hagshama Atzmit, and Gemilut Chasadim are discussed. Schedules and details of its Israel tour are put forth, including dates and prices, as well as its Kaytana (day camp), a calendar of events, and contacts.
https://masortiyouth.org/
Founded in Philadelphia in 1901, and currently headquartered in New York City, the RA represents the Conservative movement of Judaism worldwide, including congregations, schools, camps, seminaries, and other institutions. Member and affiliate organizations are acknowledged, along with a history of the organization, its organizational structure, and career opportunities. Informational and other resources are put forth, and administrative contacts are posted.
https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/
The UTI is a group of rabbis, scholars, and laypeople who promote an open-minded approach to the study of Torah and observance of Jewish law, rooted in classical religious sources and modern scholarship, using Halakhah as its unifying guide. Its principles and traditions are outlined, and frequently asked questions are answered, along with announcements, schedules, contacts, and a means of contributing online.
http://utj.org/
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Headquartered in New York City, the USCJ has member synagogues throughout the United States and Canada, as well as one in Israel. Its synagogues and congregations may be found through an interactive map or by location or district. Its organizational structure, affiliates, executive team, strategic plan, bylaws, and other statements and documents are put forth, along with its programs and projects.
http://www.uscj.org/
Women's League for Conservative Judaism
WLCJ is a network for women within the Conservative Judaism movement, as well as an arm of the Conservative/Masorti movement, A profile of the organization, its history, and regions are set forth, along with membership policies, officers, board of directors, and organizational structure. Its services to members and sisterhoods, its programs, events, and downloadable publications and materials available for sale.
http://www.wlcj.org/
