Kohler, Kaufmann (1843–1926)

German-born US rabbi and scholar. In 1869 he emigrated to the USA as rabbi of the Beth-El Congregation in Detroit, Michigan. In 1871 he moved on to Sinai Temple in Chicago, Illinois, where, despite fierce criticism, he brought about a number of radical reforms. In 1879 he became rabbi of Temple Beth-El in New York City, where he made similar changes. Kohler became president of Hebrew Union College at Cincinnati, Ohio (1903–21), where he also taught a number of courses.

Kaufmann was born in Fürth, Germany. During his studies in Munich and Berlin, Germany, he moved away from orthodox Judaism. He was a prolific scholar; his single best-known work is his 1910 book, Jewish Theology Systematically and Historically Considered.

A series of lectures brought him into conflict with traditionalist scholar Alexander Kohut. On behalf of tradition, Kohut and his followers founded the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 1887, while Kohler called the Pittsburgh Conference. The Pittsburgh Platform, issued in 1885, eventually became the central document of American Reform Judaism.