INTERNATIONAL NEWSUNION
OF PROGRESSIVE JEWS FOUNDED IN GERMAN-SPEAKING EUROPE
The Union of Progressive Jews in
Austria, Germany and Switzerland was founded on June 27 in Munich as an
association of non-Orthodox Jewish communities and groups. Members so far
represent Köln, Frankfurt, Hamelin, Hannover, Hildesheim, Kassel, Munich,
Seesen and Vienna.
Professor Micha Brumlik (Frankfurt) was elected
Union of Progressive Jews chairperson; his deputies are lawyer Katarina
Seidler (Hannover) and Rabbi Walter Homolka (Munich). The Union's
founding coincided with the installment of Rabbi Homolka as spiritual
leader of Munich's Beth Shalom; he will serve in a voluntary capacity
while continuing his career in publishing. Just days after its founding,
the Union of Progressive Jews oversaw the third annual conference of
non-Orthodox congregations in Germany, held July 5-7 at Arnoldshain,
near Frankfurt. Activities included lectures, workshops and services.
The emphasis was on prayer and liturgy, and the development of minhagim.
Some 100 people attended the gathering. The World Union has played a key
role in organizing all of the annual conferences, which are aimed at
strengthening the non-Orthodox Jewish communities in Germany.
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