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Question
What makes someone a reform Jew and what's the difference between just very lightly Orthodox Jews? I was at a shul, and everything was very kosher food wise, very Jewish feel and all. But also very inclusive and welcoming. To the gays, and lgbtq, and to people of all sects. And in the davening it was all normal, but they also said that if a woman wants to לעלות לתורה, they could- as an inclusive type of gensture.
And there was a מחיצה but also some men and women who were secular could sit in the back with mixed seating. And the singing was both woman and men. Also the main people wore a kippa and the women were mainly modest- like more open modesty, with pants and a dress on top and short sleeves with half a head covering.
Nothing felt too different except for those things, it just felt very sweet and kind and no judgement, they always brought in פסוקים and refrences to the tora and beautiful songs. God's kindness and love, and always gave everyone the option to Daven or not. And if one prefers they can also meditate on forgiveness and creating space for gos within instead- people who were less religious opted for that.
It all felt very sweet and just not too strictly orthodox, like very modern and inclusive. But my question is, is this maybe a type of Reform Judaism, or is it just lighter orthodox people?
I'm asking just to know the differences and gain a better perspective how to operate
Answer
The general rule is: there is one legitimate Judaism which is following halacha (what's termed "Orthodox"), and other sects or individuals who choose not to observe something cannot change the objective halacha. On certain details there may sometimes be various legitimate opinions, and until we revive the national Sanhedrin, each Orthodox rabbi's decision is what obligates his followers.
No Jew is "officially" Reform or Conservative, for these are new labels which don't have any halachic legitimacy. Also, Judaism is perfect, Jews are not, so we can't be responsible for the observance or negligence of individuals, but that doesn't mean that a certain decision they choose (with their free-will) is correct or halachically legitimate.
Mutual respect for every human being is important, whether Jewish or not, observant or not, whether gay or not, but that doesn't minimize their objectively good actions, nor does it legitimize their objectively wrong ones.
Each and every example you gave must be subjectively analyzed. Calling a woman up to the Torah is not an individual action, but a communal one, which contradicts halachic practice and custom, and therefore already "crosses a red-line", infringing on the others who wish to follow halacha. Various rabbis also decided in their community not to give Torah aliyot to one who openly declare they have prohibited intimate relations or similarly publicly transgress the Shabbat, and that's "their call" for their community. Examples of mechitza in a shul is mandatory, but if some don't wish to participate and sit in the back, that's their prerogative. It's accepted by most halachic authorities that men and women can sing together. All halachic authorities do not condone for a married woman to only cover half of her hair. It's nice to meditate and do other such spiritual things which are not mitzvot, but that's not considered regular communal prayer, which is using the accepted siddur, the accepted language and accepted customs.
In summary, if this is a shul, an observant Jew should not attend there, similar to a Conservative or Reform temple. If it is an attempt to bring people closer to Judaism, you shouldn't speak against it, but regarding yourself, you should just attend a regular traditional and halachic shul.
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