Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, July 1, 1990                   TAG: 9007040094
SECTION: HORIZON                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Reviewed by NELSON HARRIS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

JUDAISM TODAY IS EXAMINED IN TWO BOOKS

WHY I AM A REFORM JEW. By Rabbi Daniel B. Syme. Donald I. Fine. $18.95.

Two books have recently been published for those interested in contemporary Jewish thought and religious life. "The Healer of Shattered Hearts" by David Wolpe is an excellent but brief theological treatise on the nature of God. Wolpe approaches his subject from the Conservative tradition of Jewish thought.

Rabbi Wolpe seeks to explore the ways the modern Jew can have a meaningful relationship with the God of ancient Israel. Readers should find his thoughts on the sources and shapes of current Jewish faith, mysticism and the role of evil in God's world to be most interesting and intellectually enlightening.

"Why I Am a Reform Jew" is more autobiographical than theological. The author, Rabbi Syme, is currently vice president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. Aside from being the story of one man's spiritual journey, this work provides a historical overview of the Jewish Reform movement in the United States. Syme conveys the struggle of early Reform Jews who wanted to provide a liberal alternative to the Jewish Conservative and Orthodox traditions. He discusses the early rabbincal leaders and educators, the synagogues and the initial institutions that fueled and formed the Reform movement within Judaism.

Because the book is personal in nature, the author expresses in clear language the spiritual and social values of Reform Jews as well as their history. Syme's main thrust throughout his book is that "Reform Judaism is Judaism's best chance for creative and meaningful survival and growth in a modern world and in a free, democratic society."