Towards a Future of Sincerity and Harmony: Dutch Jews and the Appeal of Reform Judaism
Summary
The thesis investigates what points of contact protagonists of Reform Judaism sought and found among Dutch Jews, in comparison to Reform and Liberal movements in Germany, France, and England. After discussing the likelihood of the emergence of Reform Judaism in the Dutch Jewish community, the thesis focuses on two early-twentieth century liberal Jewish movements. A study by means of journals and other texts shows that the desire to save Dutch Judaism from the tendencies of disintegration or even disappearance was the main concern of these Reform Jews - which united them to their audience.