Answers to Jewish Questions

I was invited to celebrate a bar mitzvah for an 83-year-old. Where does this tradition come from?

Answered by

Rabbi Julie Zupan

It's never too late for a Jewish person to celebrate becoming bar, bat, or bet mitzvah! Many Jews celebrate as adults, if they didn't have the opportunity to celebrate when they were 13.

Can you recommend a Jewish prayer book for someone who is exploring Judaism? There are so many from which to choose.

Mishkan T'filah, the Reform Movement’s newest siddur, includes Hebrew with both transliteration and English translations, as well as beautiful prayers in English.

What is the correct term for people who adhere to Reform Judaism: "Reformed Jews," "Reform Jews," or "reformed Jews"?

Thanks for asking! The correct term is “Reform Jews.” Reform Judaism teaches that change is ongoing; the reforming of Jewish tradition and practice is not something that concluded in the past, but rather is something that continues with each individual. Therefore, “Reform” in the present tense is the appropriate term.

Is there a Jewish holiday that highlights love?

Answered by

Rabbi Victor S. Appell

A little-known holiday is Tu B'Av, a day marked by dancing and courtship.

I’m a Jew-by-choice. Can we plan to name our baby after a living relative who is not Jewish?

Answered by

Rabbi Mark Washofsky, Ph.D.

In Ashkenazic practice ( Jews of Eastern European origin), the custom is to name a child after a relative who has died, while Sephardim ( Jews of Spanish and Middle Eastern origin) tend to name their children after living relatives. Reform practice allows either option. Jews-by-choice certainly may name their

Do Reform Jews Believe in the Messiah?

Answered by

Rabbi Joseph B. Meszler

In the Jewish prayer book, the siddur, there are references to an “end of days”: the Temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt, the dead who were righteous will be resurrected, and a figure known as the Messiah, or in Hebrew the Moshiach, will restore Israel to new-found glory. The word