Reform Judaism in America
Judaism can be traced all the way back to Abraham and Isaac from the Old Testament. However, Reform Judaism rejects much of what is in the Bible regarding how Hebraic Law. Reform Judaism began in Germany in the 1800’s with Rabbi Abraham Geiger. The first reform temple opened in Seesen, Germany on July 17, 1810. Rabbi Geiger believed that Judaism is all about monotheism, practicing eternal ethical principles, and spreading truth throughout the entire world. Another prominent leader in the Judaist reform is Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise. He made a popular American prayer book and established multiple American Rabbi colleges. The first American Reform Jewish religious group in the United States was organized in Charlestown, SC in 1824. Programs for men, women, and youth were also established throughout the 19th century. Some of the changes that became part of Reform Judaism are mixed gender seating, no longer looking forward to a return to Palestine, looser marriage and divorce laws, no longer believe in a bodily resurrection after death, and no longer having dietary restrictions.
Family Tree photo from
https://www.thearda.com/denoms/families/trees/familytree_americanjudaism.asp
Historic Summary from