Wise, Isaac Mayer (1819-1900), a prominent American rabbi, is generally considered the pioneer of Reform Judaism in America. He founded the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati for the training of rabbis, and was its president from the time of its organization in 1875 until his death. Wise also helped organize the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (now the Union for Reform Judaism) in 1873, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis in 1889. He served as president of the Conference for 11 years. He was born on March 29, 1819, at Steingrub, Bohemia, and came to the United States in 1846. He died on March 26, 1900.
