The major denominations within Judaism range from the more traditional Orthodox to the more liberal Reform, a gradient often referred to as from “right” to “left.” Although the 6 million Jews living in the United States reflect many shadings of observance within and between denominations, some of the characteristic differences are as follows:
- Orthodox Judaism holds that both the written and the oral laws are fixed. Resisting modern pressures to modify their observance, Orthodox Jews adhere most strictly to traditional beliefs, ceremonies, and practices, such as daily worship, dietary laws, regular and intensive study of the Torah, and separation of men and women in synagogue. Approximately 7 percent of American Jews are Orthodox, and nearly all Orthodox families now send their children to Jewish day schools.
NOTE: Because many Jews do not consider themselves affiliated with any denomination or adhere to smaller movements, such as Reconstructionism, the percentages do not add up to 100.
SOURCES: Adapted from the Encyclopedia Britannica and the Junior Judaica, Council of Jewish Federations.
