"We came here to teach, learn, pray, sign and rejoice at meeting with progressive Jewish leaders of the world," said Steven Bauman, the chair of the WUPJ North American Council and the former Soviet Union Committee.
More than 400 representatives from 24 countries are to attend the conference of the world's largest Jewish religious association. Among the attendees will be leaders of the Progressive Jewish Movement, heads of progressive rabbi seminaries, rabbis, secular leaders, businessmen and politicians.
"We regard Judaism as a developing and dynamic religious tradition," said Rabbi Uri Regev, WUPJ executive director.
He said progressive Judaism "combines faith with a scientific approach."
An international WUPJ youth project will be launched during the conference. Forty-four young Jews, Muslims and Christians will promote principles of tolerance and co-existence. The purpose of the project is to bolster international links and outline cooperation between religions.
The World Union for Progressive Judaism comprises 1.5 million members in 41 countries. It unites more than 1,200 reformist, progressive, liberal and reconstructive communities.
