Salomon Formstecher

Salomon Formstecher was among the first generation of university-trained rabbis in Germany. In his influential reformist work Religion des Geistes (Religion of the Spirit, 1841), he attempted a systematized, modern explanation of Jewish thought. His efforts to harmonize Jewish religious and social life with modern society included his work as editor of Der Freitagabend: Eine Familienschrift, which published popular literature on Jewish themes. Formstecher served his native community of Offenbach am Main as chief rabbi for nearly fifty years.