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Call
for the Modernization of Judaism
One of the
first Reform synagogues was founded in Hamburg in 1817. The New
Israelite Temple Association dedicated the Hamburg Temple on October
18, 1818. Its constitution, a portion of which appears here, reflects
some of the early Reformers' principal concerns. The new congregation
wanted more decorous services, prayers and sermons in German,
and choral singing and organ music.
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Constitution
of the Hamburg Temple
(December 11, 1817)
. . . Since public worship had for some time been neglected
by so many, because of ever decreasing knowledge of the language
in which alone it has until now been conducted, and also because
of many other shortcomings which have crept in at the same
time -- the undersigned, convinced of the necessity to restore
public worship to its deserving dignity and importance, have
joined together to follow the example of several Israelite
congregations, especially the one in Berlin.
They plan to arrange in this city also, for themselves as
well as others who think as they do, a dignified and well-ordered
ritual according to which the worship service shall be conducted
on the Sabbath and holy days and on other solemn occasions,
and which shall be observed in their own
temple, to be erected especially for this purpose. Specifically,
there shall be introduced at such services a German sermon,
and choral singing to the accompaniment of an organ.
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