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Introduction
The reform movement within Judaism is frequently consideredthe inception of modern Judaism, particularly in regards torecord-keeping and historiography. Traditionally persecuted fortheir religious and socio-cultural preferences, Jews achieved aperiod in the 19
th
Century in which they were able to more fullyintegrate themselves into their host countries. The Jewsidentified themselves according to religious markers, and indoing so there was a reduction in the overall indicators whichthe host countries and their respective citizens used toidentify the Jews. No longer, for example, were Jews singledout within a society through the use of clearly marked brands orsimilar markings.This process led to a movement of younger Jews away fromthe traditional teachings. The socio-cultural structure whichhad enabled the Jews to preserve their heritage throughoutcenturies of persecution was dissolving, and with it was thedrive to conform to and promote these teachings. Thepsychological stigma of Judaism is believed to play heavily intothis process, for the Jews had long been persecuted and yet nowhad the opportunity to escape from these detrimental conditionsthrough identifying their lifestyles as distinctive fromJudaism.
 
In order to preserve the Jewish heritage, the communityleaders identified that it was now necessary to teach thehistory of Judaism using a different methodology (Crossen, 1995,61). Rather than emphasizing the problems and the challengeswhich the Jews had experienced, a new emphasis was placed uponthe past progress and the victories of noted Jewish figures.This process had two extremely distinctive outcomes: First, itpromoted a new format through which traditional Jewish teachingscould be communicated to the new generations. More importantly,however, it categorically separated Reform Jews from traditionalJudaism, and distinguished between orthodox and modern Jewishtraditions. This paper shall explore these two points anddemonstrate how the reform movement in Judaism impacted thehistoriography through which Jews recorded their traditions.
The Significance of Historical Records within Judaism 
Historical records are a comparatively new phenomenonwithin the Jewish tradition. The history of the Jews tended tonot be recorded, with the rare and noted exception of the
Culturgeschichte
. Written in the Middle Ages, the
Culturgeschichte
was a collected study of the art and the folktales common to the Jews. It did not, however, focus on thehistory of the Jews as a people but rather emphasized the
 
productions of culture which the Jews produced and relied uponas teaching tools for children.While fragments of Jewish history exist, particularlywithin the decedents of those initially involved in the incidentin question, there is a void of clearly-defined linear history.Much of the origins of the Jews have been extrapolated from theBible and from ritual and hymns, rather than identified throughfactual or non-religious circumstances. As such, the creationof historical records for the Jews during the Reform Movementand the subsequent Masorti Judaism period characterized a newera for the Jews, and thus can be seen as more significant dueto the lack of historical records prior to this period.
The Psychological Reform of Judaism 
The past history of Judaism suggested to many Jews thattheir shared heritage was worth forgetting. Now thatintegration was acceptable, there was no longer a need toemphasize the past as a means of helping maintain the communitystructure. Nor, suggests one source, was there a generalperception among the Jews that unity was the only method throughwhich they could achieve long-term prosperity and success(Borowitz, 1978, 19). Jews finally had opportunities toproductive, beneficial, and most importantly
safe
settings inwhich to raise their families.
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hey u guys great stuff there. really interesting. I see myself as a new up and coming writer and would be delighted if you lucky devils could read and review them. Only authors of my calibur need apply. Thanks u guys in advance

reply03 / 08 / 2009
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