Alexander Schindler
Encyclopedia
Alexander Schindler was a rabbi
and the leading figure of American Reform Judaism
during the 1970s and 1980s.
Born in Germany
, he came to America with his family at age 12. He was one of the last European-born leaders of American Reform Jewry.
He served as president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (since renamed the Union for Reform Judaism
) from 1973 to 1996.
His best-known, and most-controversial, pronouncements were his call for Jews to accept Patrilineal Descent (recognizing as Jewish children of Jewish fathers) and "outreach" to non-Jews. He intended this to include general proselytizing to non-Jews, but in practice this applied to non-Jews married to Jews.
He served as chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
and the leading figure of American Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
during the 1970s and 1980s.
Born in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, he came to America with his family at age 12. He was one of the last European-born leaders of American Reform Jewry.
He served as president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (since renamed the Union for Reform Judaism
Union for Reform Judaism
The Union for Reform Judaism , formerly known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations , is an organization which supports Reform Jewish congregations in North America. The current President is Rabbi Eric H...
) from 1973 to 1996.
His best-known, and most-controversial, pronouncements were his call for Jews to accept Patrilineal Descent (recognizing as Jewish children of Jewish fathers) and "outreach" to non-Jews. He intended this to include general proselytizing to non-Jews, but in practice this applied to non-Jews married to Jews.
He served as chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
External links
- JTA obituary
- Obituary in Christian Century.