“You can’t understand Jewish life without understanding the sources,” Rabbi Mark Washofsky said.
Within the Reform Jewish movement, the explanation of these sources usually falls upon him. As the Chair of the Responsa Committee of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, it is this committee, which provides guidance to Reform Jews on contemporary issues.
Rabbi Washofsky is the Solomon B. Freehof Professor of Jewish Law and Practice at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, responsible for training new rabbinic students, and providing answers to questions posed by Reform Rabbis and Congregations throughout the country on how age old rabbinic teachings fit in with contemporary Reform Judaism.
In his book, “Jewish Living — A Guide to Contemporary Reform Practice”, Rabbi Washofsky talks about “the connection between Reform Jewish observance and the sources of Jewish law, and ultimately about the ways in which Reform Jewish religious life draws its definitions and content from its ongoing relationship with halakhah (Jewish law).”
Adath Emanu-El in Mt. Laurel is honored to have Washofsky join us as our 2014 scholar-in-residence from March 21 through March 23. The weekend will consist of Washofsky’s sermon during our Ma-ariv (Friday evening) service and his involvement with our teens for a special Shacharit (Saturday morning) service. On Saturday evening, we will have a catered dinner, and Washofsky will speak on “Reform Responsa: How Jewish Tradition Responds to Today’s Issues.” Our weekend will end with a Sunday Brunch catered by the Adath Emanu-El Men’s Club. Participation requires pre-registration. The sign up form can be found on www.adathemauel.org or by calling the synagogue office at (856) 608–1200.
“When people say Reform Judaism doesn’t believe in halakhah or doesn’t have halakhah, what they mean is that Reform Jews aren’t Orthodox,” Washofsky said. “It means they are not required to follow rulings handed down by particular rabbis and are freer to come up with their own understanding, but in the context of saying they are seriously Jewish, they have to go back to the same sources all Jews go to.”
