64 Walter Jacob

Reform Judaism. Other organizations grew out of the Reform movement as new needs became apparent. Firstamong them was the National Federal of Temple Sisterhoods, now Women for Reform Judaism, founded in 1918. In 1972 following the ordination of a number of women as rabbis, the Women’s Rabbinic Network was founded. Each of these organizations of the Reform movement, along with others, have dealt with a broad range of women's issues. Their concerns went beyond the immediate Jewish matters and ranged from the White Slave Trade to Reproductive Rights.” The Social Action Center of Reform Judaism has played a major role since 1959 and often spoken for the entire Jewish community on major causes including women's issues."

As women rabbis began to play an increasing role in the affairs of the Conference, women headed committees and served as its president.” A gender neutral prayer book, which appeared in 2004, was the natural further step in this direction.

In the New World even more than in the Old, the democratic pattern became a major path of settling issues. The rabbis who were familiar with the path of responsa but chose not to take it. The pattern for creating changes in this manner, first introduced in Europe , found an even greater welcome in North America .

Each of these steps proceeded through the democratic process which had become the central agent of change. In contrast to earlier times, democracy prevailed in all matters without any limitations.

THE MINHAG

America used a time honored path for innovation- the minhag (the voice of the people) often. This was relatively easy as there were no restrictions and complete religious freedom. Isaac Mayer Wise (1819-1900), the founder of the democratic Reform organizations,

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