Union of Progressive Jews in Germany
Encyclopedia
The Union progressiver Juden in Deutschland (UPJ) ("Union of Progressive Jews
in Germany
") is a registered association, founded in 1997, that represents liberal Jewish
organisations. It is headed by Sonja Guentner and has around 3,000 members.
The publication work of the union began in 1997 with Seder ha-Tefillot, the Jewish prayer book
by Jonathan Magonet
in cooperation with Walter Homolka
, from the Hebrew
by Annette M. Böckler
. In 1998 a Passover
Haggadah was published. From 1999 to 2004 Annette M. Böckler translated W. Gunther Plaut's commentary on the Torah
into German.
The Zentralrat der Juden in Deutschland
("Central Council of Jews in Germany") rejected the association and insisted on a single representative voice for Jewish organisations. In particular this concerned the contract with the government, signed with the Zentralrat on 27 January 2003, and its associated aid money.
In April 2004 open hostility broke out between the Zentralrat's president
Paul Spiegel
and then chairman of the UPJ, Jan Mühlstein
. Mühlstein called for financial equality between the liberal Jewish organisations regarding the distribution of 3 million Euros of state money annually, set by a contract with the government. On 20 November 2005 two Jewish State
Associations with numerous congregations of the Union were absorbed into the Zentralrat, after the status of a corporate body of public rights was conferred to them.
Progressive Judaism
Progressive Judaism , is an umbrella term used by strands of Judaism which affiliate to the World Union for Progressive Judaism. They embrace pluralism, modernity, equality and social justice as core values and believe that such values are consistent with a committed Jewish life...
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...
") is a registered association, founded in 1997, that represents liberal Jewish
Liberal Judaism
Liberal Judaism , is one of the two forms of Progressive Judaism found in the United Kingdom, the other being Reform Judaism. Liberal Judaism, which developed at the beginning of the twentieth century is less conservative than UK Reform Judaism...
organisations. It is headed by Sonja Guentner and has around 3,000 members.
The publication work of the union began in 1997 with Seder ha-Tefillot, the Jewish prayer book
Siddur
A siddur is a Jewish prayer book, containing a set order of daily prayers. This article discusses how some of these prayers evolved, and how the siddur, as it is known today has developed...
by Jonathan Magonet
Jonathan Magonet
Rabbi Jonathan Magonet is a British Jewish theologian, Vice-President of the World Union of Progressive Judaism, and a biblical scholar. He is highly active in Christian-Jewish dialogue, and in dialogue between Jews and Muslims...
in cooperation with Walter Homolka
Walter Homolka
Prof. Walter Homolka is a German rabbi.He studied in Munich, London, Lampeter and Leipzig and has a PhD from King's College London...
, from the Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
by Annette M. Böckler
Annette M. Böckler
Annette Mirjam Böckler is currently librarian at the Leo Baeck College London and a writer and translator in the Jewish subject area...
. In 1998 a Passover
Passover
Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
Haggadah was published. From 1999 to 2004 Annette M. Böckler translated W. Gunther Plaut's commentary on the Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
into German.
The Zentralrat der Juden in Deutschland
Zentralrat der Juden in Deutschland
The Zentralrat der Juden in Deutschland is a federation of German Jews organizing many Jewish organisations in Germany. It was founded on July 19, 1950, as a response to the increasing isolation of German Jews by the international Jewish community and increasing interest in Jewish affairs by the ...
("Central Council of Jews in Germany") rejected the association and insisted on a single representative voice for Jewish organisations. In particular this concerned the contract with the government, signed with the Zentralrat on 27 January 2003, and its associated aid money.
In April 2004 open hostility broke out between the Zentralrat's president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
Paul Spiegel
Paul Spiegel
Paul Spiegel was leader of the Zentralrat der Juden in Germany and the main spokesman of the German Jews...
and then chairman of the UPJ, Jan Mühlstein
Jan Mühlstein
Jan Mühlstein is a journalist, German Jewish activist and the former chair of the Union of Progressive Jews in Germany.- Life :...
. Mühlstein called for financial equality between the liberal Jewish organisations regarding the distribution of 3 million Euros of state money annually, set by a contract with the government. On 20 November 2005 two Jewish State
States of Germany
Germany is made up of sixteen which are partly sovereign constituent states of the Federal Republic of Germany. Land literally translates as "country", and constitutionally speaking, they are constituent countries...
Associations with numerous congregations of the Union were absorbed into the Zentralrat, after the status of a corporate body of public rights was conferred to them.