Union for Reform Judaism

Union for Reform Judaism, oldest American federation of Jewish congregations, which, since its founding (1873) in Cincinnati, Ohio, has sponsored many programs to strengthen Jewish congregations and promote Jewish education on every level. Its headquarters are in New York City.

The union was organized by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise for the immediate purpose of establishing and supporting a seminary for the training of American-born rabbis, who, Wise felt, were the key to the future of Judaism in the United States. Two years later the union established Hebrew Union College, the first successful rabbinic seminary in the United States. In 1950 this college merged with the Jewish Institute of Religion of New York, founded in 1922 by Rabbi Stephen S. Wise. Both institutions were long-time centres of Reform Judaism and are still supported by the union.

The union organized five auxiliary groups: the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods (1913; now called Women of Reform Judaism), of Temple Brotherhoods (1923; now called Men of Reform Judaism), of Temple Youth (1939), and of Temple Secretaries (1941; now called National Association for Temple Administration) and the National Association of Temple Educators (1955). Each group operates independently within the union and promotes those activities that best suit it. The union has sponsored or cosponsored religious schools, teacher seminars, a correspondence school, student study groups, and leadership training courses, often in cooperation with other groups.

In 2003 the union changed its name from Union of American Hebrew Congregations to Union for Reform Judaism. In the early 21st century, it numbered more than 900 Reform congregations (with several outside the United States). The union is affiliated with the World Union for Progressive (Reform) Judaism.