Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

Conservative Judaism

American  

noun

  1. Judaism as observed by Conservative Jews.


Conservative Judaism British  

noun

  1. a movement reacting against the radicalism of Reform Judaism, rejecting extreme change and advocating moderate relaxations of traditional Jewish law, by an extension of the process by which its adherents claim traditional Orthodox Judaism evolved Compare Orthodox Judaism Reform Judaism

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Conservative Judaism Cultural  
  1. A branch of Judaism that insists on keeping some requirements of the Jewish law, or Torah (circumcision of male infants, for example, and the eating of unleavened bread during Passover) (see also Passover), but allows for the adaptation of some of the law's requirements to fit modern circumstances (for example, some of the details of Jewish dietary laws). (Compare Orthodox Judaism and Reform Judaism.)


Etymology

Origin of Conservative Judaism

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism says it is “the largest network of Conservative Jews in the world,” and claims 1.35 million adherents in North America.

From Washington Times

When Buchdahl decided to become a rabbi, he chose the largest seminary of Conservative Judaism, which is generally more stringent about Jewish law than Reform.

From New York Times

And among Jewish adults under 30, 37% identify with either Reform or Conservative Judaism, compared with about 70% of those 65 and older.

From Seattle Times

There are still restrictions on the marriage of non-Orthodox converts to Judaism, since this area is controlled by Israel’s chief rabbinate, which does not recognize Reform or Conservative Judaism.

From New York Times

He was raised in a family affiliated with Conservative Judaism, the middle-of-the-road denomination that balances tradition and adherence to Jewish law with modern life.

From Washington Post