the 1950s. UAHC membership grew by 23% in 1975–1985, to 1.3 million. An estimated 10,000 intermarried couples were joining annually. On 26 May 1999, after a prolonged debate and six widely different drafts rejected, a "Statement of Principles for Reform Judaism" was adopted in Pittsburgh by the Central Conference of American Rabbis. It affirmed the "reality and oneness of God", the Torah as "God's ongoing revelation to our people", and committed to the "ongoing study of the whole array of Commandments and to the fulfillment of those that address us as individuals and as a community. Some of these sacred obligations have long been observed by Reform Jews; others, both ancient and modern, demand renewed attention." While the wording was carefully crafted in order not to displease the estimated 20%–25% of membership that retained Classicist persuasions, it did raise condemnation from many of them. In 2008, the Society for Classical Reform Judaism was founded to mobilize and coordinate those who preferred the old universalist, ethics-based and less-observant religious style, with its unique aesthetic components. SCRJ leader, Rabbi Howard A. Berman, claimed that the neo-traditional approach, adopted by the URJ, alienated more congregants than those it drew in. See also Cantor in Reform Judaism Reform Judaism (magazine) References Further reading External links Reform Judaism Union for Reform Judaism World Union for Progressive Judaism Central Conference of American Rabbis American Conference of Cantors Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion Reform Judaism magazine Liberal Judaism in the UK The Movement for Reform Judaism in the UK Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism Unión del Judaísmo Reformista - Amlat Instituto de Formación Rabínica Reformista