Modern Jewish History: The Search for Jewish Identity
Conservative Judaism Today: Mordecai Kaplan
Author, lecturer, and philosopher Dr. Eugene Borowitz explores how Conservative Judaism exists in the modern world. This lecture is part of a series exploring the modern Jewish identity. Borowitz frames his discussion through the perspective of the Jewish philosopher Mordecai Kaplan, attemping to explain “the tensions and great assets within conservative Judaism in the United States." He argues that what defines Conservative Judaism is its distinction from Orthodox or Reform practices. Referencing conservative Rabbi Robert Gordis, he contends that “what distinguishes the Conservative Jew from his Orthodox or his Reform counterpart is his insistence on the maintenance of Jewish law, though it changes.” The lecture is followed with questions from the audience.
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