This is the Forward’s coverage of Conservative Judaism, one of the three major streams of U.S. Judaism. Conservative Jews are generally more observant than Reform Jews but less so than Orthodox Jews. The movement is led by the…
Conservative Judaism
The Latest
-
Opinion Separate Synagogue and State
They didn’t exactly turn handsprings, but their cheering was unmistakable. “This is a historic day for Israelis and Jews around the world,” proclaimed Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, executive vice president of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. The head of Israel’s Reform movement, Rabbi Gilad Kariv, declared that the decision is “an important breakthrough in the effort to…
-
News Conservatives Skip Kiddushin in Gay Rite
In their recent crafting of gay and lesbian marital rites, three Conservative rabbis altered the most fundamental piece of the traditional Jewish marriage ceremony: the liturgy of kiddushin. But rather than feel excluded, some gay Jews say they are relieved to be exempt from kiddushin, the part of the ceremony in which one partner —…
-
Opinion All the News on Jews’ Views: Comparing 3 Polls
There’s good news and bad news for President Obama in a new survey of American Jewish opinion released Thursday by the Workmen’s Circle. First, the bad news: Jewish voters favor Obama over Mitt Romney by about two to one — 59% to 27%, with 14% undecided. If undecideds follow the same 2-to-1 split, the result…
-
News Conservatives Give Gay Wedding Guidance
When Gerald Skolnik, the president of a group of 1,600 Conservative rabbis, was asked to officiate at a gay wedding last year, he didn’t know where to start. “I was flying by the seat of my pants,” he said. Should the wedding look like a heterosexual ceremony, or something else entirely? Now he has guidelines…
-
Fast Forward Conservative Jews Praise Obama After Meeting
A group of leaders from the Conservative movement praised President Barack Obama after holding an informal meeting May 29 at the White House. The 20 Conservative rabbis and lay leaders, who also met with White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew, said Obama emphasized his support for Israel and deep “appreciation of Jewish tradition.” “He…
-
News Israel Can Defend Itself, Biden Tells Rabbis
Israel doesn’t need America’s permission to attack Iran, Vice President Joe Biden told a gathering of Conservative rabbis May 8. “Were I an Israeli, were I a Jew, I would not contract out my security to anybody, even a loyal, loyal, loyal friend like the United States,” Biden said. American and Israeli officials agree that…
-
Opinion Is Our Tradition Liberal or Conservative?
Is the Jewish tradition inherently liberal or inherently conservative? The answer to this much-debated question is in fact quite simple: yes. If by “the Jewish tradition” we mean the sacred texts of our people, they can be read to defend a very wide variety of approaches to the world of politics. You certainly won’t find…
-
Opinion What would you call me?
I have always been a Jew — and after a cursory dunk, the Conservative movement agrees.
Explore
Most Popular
- 1
Opinion The real reason for the US war with Iran may have nothing to do with Israel
- 2
Fast Forward Chabad on high alert after false Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens war claims
- 3
Culture Could my love of oysters actually be kosher?
- 4
News When observant Jews gathered to challenge Israel orthodoxy, verbal sparring and walkouts ensued
In Case You Missed It
-
Opinion A gunman attacked a Michigan synagogue. Here’s what happens to the community next
-
Fast Forward Political standoff causing DHS shutdown delays security grants for synagogues
-
Fast Forward A gunman rammed a Michigan synagogue. Its security preparations may have saved lives.
-
Fast Forward Yeshiva University fans gear up for Sweet Sixteen run — and a Shabbat in Atlanta
-
Shop the Forward Store
100% of profits support our journalism
