jewish quiz 5

Reform Movement

Centered in Germany in 1800s Grew out of: Haskalah Jewish Emancipation Centralization of national governments All of these led to a decrease in pull of Jewish community on individuals Desire of some Jews to "reform" Judaism to better fit changed circumstances Did not want to convert to Christianity, but also did not want to adhere to traditional Judaism Reform grew into a movement in 1840s

Conservative Movement

Emerged from Reform movement; some felt Reform was too radical Judaism as unchanging and eternal divine laws, but with human responses that change Reform didn't take into account the law, while Orthodoxy didn't take into account the need for change Crystallized into a movement in U.S. following 1885 Pittsburgh Platform and 1883 Hebrew Union College ordination banquet

The Dreyfus Affair

French General Staff officer Alfred Dreyfus arrested on charges of espionage in 1894 Found guilty (erroneously, based on forgery) and exiled Incident spurs anti-Jewish riots and public professions of anti-Jewish sentiment Finally exonerated in 1906 Leads to reform, but also entrenchment of anti-Semitic elements of society Spurs Zionist movement

Moses Mendelssohn

Mid-18th century German Jew Judaism as closest of all religions to "natural" and could serve as example to all Strict observance of Jewish law was necessary Advocated separation of civil and religious authority Pushed secular education, even at expense of Jewish education

The Jewish Question

Widely discussed in Western Europe after Enlightenment Can the Jews be integrated into mainstream society? Should they be (gasp!) citizens? Can they be loyal to the state? Can they be "improved" to become more suitable for integration? Will treating the Jews better make them more suitable for participation in society?

Martin Luther

A German monk who became one of the most famous critics of the Roman Catholic Church. Led Protestant Reformation. Attacks Jews calling them arrogant, ungrateful, and that the synagogues be burned down. Jews are going to hell.

Jewish Emancipation

Definition: doing away with restrictions imposed by governments on the Jews because of their Judaism, as well as granting the Jews citizenship Calls for emancipation begin in earnest in 18th century Why? Incompatible with humanist ideals to have Jews remain as second-class inhabitants Heeded beginning with French Revolution (1789) Over next 90 years, Jews emancipated in England, France, German states, Italian states, Netherlands, Austria-Hungary, etc.

Protestant Reformation

Early 16th-mid 17th century Martin Luther (and others) challenge the Catholic Church on several counts, including corruption, and eventually break away Questioning of both religious and secular authority Good or bad for the Jews? - bad, martin luther says they are arrogant and thieves. says to burn down synagogues

Orthodox Movement

Emerged as a response to Reform New necessity to defend tradition Some advocated separating community from the modern world, while others advocated navigating the modern world while still adhering to tradition Never as unified as a movement as Reform was In general, those who accept as divine and unchanging all aspects of Torah and rabbinic law and practice Diverse groups Some deeply involved with outside world; some very insular Matrilineal descent only Close-knit communities that center around the synagogue and other Jewish institutions, such as day schools

Catholic Counter-Reformation

Mid 16th-mid 17th century Reaction of Catholic Church to teachings of Luther and others, aimed at reestablishing Catholic hold on the populace Church aims to reassert authority and convert back those who have left for Protestantism Conditions for Jews in Italy (domain of the pope) deteriorate during Counter-Reformation: Creation of Jewish ghettoes Persecution, torture, and execution of conversos Burning of the Talmud and related books in Rome by papal decree

Baruch Spinoza

Mid-17th century Dutch Jew Child of conversos who had fled from Portugal to Amsterdam to escape the Inquisition Rejects Torah and Jewish system of belief and practice (but doesn't convert to any other religion!) Advocates "free thought" Formally excommunicated from Amsterdam Jewish community as a heretic

Haskalah

The Jewish Enlightenment of the second half of the eighteenth century, led by the Prussian philosopher Moses Mendelssohn. Offshoot of general Enlightenment Belief in value of secular education Rejection of "outmoded" elements of Judaism Advocacy of assimilation, to a point Hoped to bring new occupational diversity for Jews Publication of critiques of Jewish society and proposals for change (not always popular with other Jews!)