Evolving Approaches to Intermarriage among Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Reform Clergy

In the early 21st century the rate of intermarriage has risen to an all-time high in virtually every country with the exception of the State of Israel. Despite a firm commitment to universalist ideals most 19th century classical Reform ideologues were staunchly opposed to intermarriage. Throughout the twentieth century the issue was at the forefront of Reform deliberations, with the Reform rabbinate in ever increasing numbers reversing this stance and participationg in interfaith ceremonies.An examination of the arguments and theories propounded sheds light on the manner in which those evolvbing approaches reflect socio-religious trends of contemporary Jewish society.