Reform is a movement that aims to bring a social or also political system closer to an ideal. Usually, these movements are based on liberalism, although they may be rooted in socialist, religious or other ideas.
Reform Judaism has long been unique among Jewish denominations in putting the individual at the center of religious practice, allowing them to formulate their own understanding and expression of Judaism. This stance was influenced by Kantian philosophy, which emphasized personal judgment and free will. It allowed Reform rabbis to introduce innovations while still remaining rooted in tradition; to affirm beliefs without rejecting those who doubt; and to incorporate critical scholarship into the study of sacred texts.
This liberal agenda was combined with a spiritual focus on the tikkun olam, or “repairing of the world,” which was influenced by a new generation of evangelical religion that embraced ideas of perfectionism and millenarianism. These philosophies supported the idea that mankind could achieve a higher state of holiness through a process of self-improvement and the onset of the long-awaited millennium.
These principles were reflected in the work of the muckrakers, journalists and writers who exposed corruption, especially in city government and big business, during the Progressive Era. Their exposes helped spark public support for reform.