n>The story of Zionism and Reform Judaism in America began in the 1820s, when Charleston Jews left the traditional Congregation Beth Elohim to found their own “Reformed Society of Israelites.” Their leader, Isaac Harby, wanted to substitute “a rational faith” consistent with the Enlightenment values of America’s founding fathers for what he deemed the outworn husk of rabbinic Judaism. Harby declared that proud Americans of the Israelite faith no longer needed to pray for the redemption of the “stony desert” of Palestine. Read Full Article »