Der Segen Jacob's, a doctoral thesis published in 1868, introduced higher criticism to Jewish studies and ultimately redirected the career of Kaufmann Kohler from Germany to the United States. This scholarly pivot defined a professional trajectory that would place him at the center of the American Reform Judaism movement for over five decades.
European Training and Departure
Born in Fürth in 1843, Kohler underwent rabbinical training across several German cities, including Hassfurt, Höchberg, Mainz, and Frankfurt am Main, where he studied under Samson Raphael Hirsch. His formal university education concluded in 1868 with a doctorate from Erlangen. The radical nature of his academic work on biblical themes made him unwelcome in German pulpits, leading him to follow the professional advice of Abraham Geiger by emigrating to America.
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Upon arriving in the United States, Kohler held positions at Temple Beth-El in Detroit and the Chicago Sinai Congregation. In 1879, he succeeded his father-in-law, David Einhorn, as rabbi at New York City’s Temple Beth-El. His influence on the movement culminated in 1885 when he convened the Pittsburgh Rabbinical Conference, where he helped draft the Pittsburgh Platform, the foundational document for American Reform Judaism.
Academic Administration and Theology
In 1903, he accepted the presidency of Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio, a role he maintained until his death in 1926. Throughout his tenure, he remained a prolific author, publishing works such as the 1918 volume Jewish Theology, Systematically and Historically Considered. His intellectual output included extensive contributions to The Jewish Encyclopedia and a wide array of articles for journals like the Jewish Quarterly Review and the American Hebrew.
Shifting Perspectives
Despite his role in establishing the movement's early principles, Kohler eventually critiqued the Reform branch's rapid abandonment of tradition. By 1892, he publicly expressed concern regarding the lack of reverence for historical institutions. He subsequently renounced the practice of holding Sunday services, which he had previously implemented, describing the shift as an act of patricide against the Sabbath.
Fast facts
- Born: 1843, Fürth
- Died: 1926, Cincinnati
- Citizenship: United States
- Higher Education: Ph.D. 1868, Erlangen
- Primary Field: Reform Judaism
- Major Role: President, Hebrew Union College
- Languages: German, English
Questions readers ask
What was Kaufmann Kohler's contribution to the Pittsburgh Platform?
He convened the 1885 Pittsburgh Rabbinical Conference and helped define the principles that served as the basis for Reform Judaism in America.
Where did Kaufmann Kohler serve as president?
He served as the president of Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati from 1903 until his death in 1926.
Achievements
- Worked as rabbi, theologian and philosopher
