www.uahc.org

Basic History
Reform Judaism took root in Germany in the early 1800s but flourished to in the United States, where it had become the predominant form of Judaism by the end of the 19th century. Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise established the Union of American Hebrew Congregations in 1873, the first American federation of synagogues; the Hebrew Union College in 1875, the first American rabbinical seminary; and the Central Conference of American Rabbis in 1889. These three institutions remain the central bodies of North American Reform Judaism today.

Basic Beliefs
Since its beginnings some 4,000 years ago Judaism has remained constant to its central theological belief: that there is only one God, whose divine presence is experienced within the natural world. Judaism focuses on the relationships between God and the individual and the Jewish people, and how individuals relate to one another. The development of these relationships, and the obligations created by them, are the core of the Torah (the first five books of the Bible), which continues to speak to Jews today, even after thousands of years of study, commentary, and re-interpretation.

Reform Judaism, the largest Jewish denomination in North America, insists that creativity and progress are essential to religious life, and that each generation, while respecting the traditions and heritage of its predecessors, must also bring contemporary expression to the beliefs and practices of its religious tradition. This willingness to adapt has brought new vitality to a Jewish community and enabled it to fully integrate into North American culture. Among the changes of the past quarter century are commitments to the absolute equality of women in all areas of Jewish life, the inclusion of gays and lesbians, and outreach to the non-Jewish members of our families with the hope they will come to identify with the Jewish people.

Basic Facts
Since its founding, the UAHC has grown from 34 congregations in 28 cities to more than 900 congregations in all 50 states, Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas. Approximately 1.5 million of the six million Jews in North America identify themselves as Reform Jews.

The New York City headquarters of the UAHC houses program staff, who develop resources and programs for use by both congregations and their members, as well as two Reform publishing houses: the UAHC Press and Transcontinental Music Publications. The UAHC operates 12 camps and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, its voice in Washington, DC.

Leadership
Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie is president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. Russell Silverman is the Chair of the 225-member UAHC Board of Trustees, which includes regional lay representatives and representatives of the various affiliate organizations of Reform Judaism.

Location
Union of American Hebrew Congregations
633 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Phone (212) 650-4000
         (212) 650-4259