Edah

Edah, was a self-identified Modern Orthodox Jewish organization that was described by The Jewish Press as "the subject of considerable controversy since its founding."[1] It initially associated with the liberal wing of Orthodox Judaism in the United States, but its director, when they closed, moved to a position in the Open Orthodoxy movement.

Official logo of EDAH declares its motto.
Edah, should not be confused with the Haredi communal body in Israel known as the Edah HaChareidis.

Its headquarters were located in Manhattan, New York City.

Opening

Edah was founded in 1997 in response to what its founding director, Rabbi Saul Berman, called “the separatist trend in Modern Orthodoxy”[2] It promised in its mission statement to “give voice to the ideology and values of modern Orthodoxy and to educate and empower the community to address its concerns."[3]

Edah organized conferences,[1] fellowships, and adult education programs, primarily in the New York metropolitan area, and to a lesser extent around the world. It also published the Edah Journal, an academic journal on Modern Orthodoxy and contemporary issues in the religious community.

The New York Times reported that Yeshiva University's biology department chairman, an ordained rabbi, "denounced Edah as 'outside the pale of Judaism'."[4]

Closing

In July 2006, Edah announced plans to close down its operations as a stand-alone entity. In a news release, leaders of the organization claimed that it had made significant achievements, but given limited financial resources available, a tactical decision was made so that its goals would be able to continue through other means.[5]

After winding down operations, Berman took on an administrative position at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (YCT), an Open Orthodox rabbinical school in New York City. YCT also assumed Edah’s journal, website, and audio-visual library.[6]

The Edah Journal was rebranded as Meorot: A Forum of Modern Orthodox Discourse and its publication continued by YCT.[7]

References
  1. Jason Maoz (February 19, 1999). "Edah Confronts Issues, Critics at Manhattan Conference". The Jewish Press.
  2. "Modern Orthodox Think Tank To Fold". Jewish Week. Retrieved 2017-08-30.
  3. "Edah". www.edah.org. Retrieved 2017-08-30.
  4. Peter Steinfels (February 6, 1999). "Beliefs". The New York Times.
  5. "News Release". www.edah.org. Retrieved 2017-08-30.
  6. Berman, Rabbi Saul J. "The Emergence, Role, and Closing of Edah | The Jewish Press | Rabbi Saul J. Berman | 17 Tammuz 5766 – July 12, 2006 | JewishPress.com". www.jewishpress.com. Retrieved 2017-08-30.
  7. "Meorot – Shevat 5767/2007 - YCTorah Library". library.yctorah.org. Retrieved 2017-08-30.
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