In an overwhelming vote on Saturday, the Union of American Hebrew Congregations rejected the membership application of a Cincinnati synagogue that has removed all references to God from its liturgy. The vote was 115 to 13.
"Reform allows for a wide spectrum of belief," said Rabbi Alexander M. Schindler, the president of the union, a national Reform Jewish organization. "Yet some common understanding is necessary."
Rabbi Robert B. Barr, the leader of the Cincinnati temple, Congregation Beth Adam, said after listening to the debate, "It became exceedingly clear that this was not the union that we should belong to."
"Clearly, the contemporary liturgy isn't speaking to most people at this point," Rabbi Barr said. "The unaffiliated rate is high, and the attendance of the affiliated is quite low."
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