The future of Reform?

Toward the end of my rabbinical school years at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), Dr. Michael Meyer (our eminent professor of history and my thesis adviser) engaged our class in a conversation about the coming "interregnum in the Reform movement." At that time, we knew of the coming retirement of the leaders of the three major branches of the movement: Alexander Schindler from his post as president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (now URJ); Fred Gottschalk of HUC-JIR; and Joe Glaser of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR). Meyer pointed out that this represented a true generational transition of historic proportions (a nearly direct quote), as each of these men were American Reform Rabbis who were born prior to the Shoah. Two (Schindler and Gottschalk) came to the U.S. from Europe. The third, Glaser, was a decorated G.I. who was twice wounded while serving in Europe during the war. Personally and professionally, they witnessed (and were part of) perhaps the greatest time of transformation of the world, and especially of the Jewish community. Their experiences certainly shaped their world-view, and how their significant leadership was crafted.

Dr. Meyer left us with an open-ended question: how will the next generation take shape?

I think again of this notion for two related reasons: this coming July 17th will be somewhat of an "anniversary" for the movement. It was on this date that Israel Jacobson "organized the first Reform temple" in Seesen, Germany (and yes, this is fascinating to those of us who maintain a Rainman-like interest in Reform history). Perhaps a more important related item just emerged today: at the URJ North American Board meeting, currently being held in Brooklyn, Rabbi Eric Yoffie, who has served as Union president for 14 years (as Schindler's successor) announced that he will retire in 2012. He has outlined a bold continuing agenda for the remainder of his term.

These years have been marked by great changes and triumphs in the movement - the URJ, HUC-JIR and CCAR have each experienced leadership transitions and turnover; have endured economic challenges (if not crises); and have faced (along with the rest of the Jewish world) a growing demographic changeover that has disturbed the previous century's status quo.

The next Union president (and leadership team, of course) will undoubtedly have new issues to face - incorporating the latest in organizational methods along with the strength of Jewish tradition. Just yesterday, I wrote about how we cannot afford to evaluate ourselves based on our previous accomplishments; rather, we must ever strive to create new visions even as we re-imagine old ones.

So now I ask - what does the future hold for the Reform movement, and for progressive Judaism? What would you envision? Please share, as the future is in our hands, right now...