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"Spirituality" was the word of the day, with many participants talking about their own searches and journeys. The definition of spiritual, however, was as varied as the people involved in the conference.

Arnold Jacobson, 62, of Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, said he would like to see a "multitude of concepts" for thinking about spirituality in the Reform movement.

"Professionally, I help people get pregnant with in-vitro fertilization," Jacobson said. "For me, that's spiritual."

Those who worried that the gathering might be too touchy-feely were pleasantly surprised.

At a meeting for Temple Israel of Hollywood, one woman said her fear of the "Kumbaya factor" had dissipated after the opening plenary.

Marc Gilman, 41, of Temple Adath Yeshurun in Manchester, N.H., happily remarked that the gathering "isn't hokey or corny."

It was the largest such conference to date for Synagogue 2000, which was founded by two Jewish educators five years ago.

It comes as the Reform movement is moving away from its "classical" past in which leaders valued social action over traditional Jewish ritual and observance. Many criticize the old-style synagogues — with their cathedral-like buildings, organ music and operatic cantors — saying they do little to encourage lay participation and spiritual intimacy.