Reform Jews Delay Vote on New Principles

The governing body of Reform Judaism, the biggest and most liberal branch of American Jewry, debated a new set of principles Tuesday that would represent a return to traditional practices such as keeping kosher and praying in Hebrew.

But the Central Conference of American Rabbis postponed its expected vote until today.

The 550-person group was expected to approve a major revision in the Principles of Reform Judaism, which are not enforceable regulations, but rather guidelines.

“We have an organization where there are no smoky back rooms,” said Rabbi Paul J. Menitoff, executive vice president of the 1,700-member rabbis’ group. “We respect our members . . . we never expected it to go smoothly.”