Conservative Judaism faces a profound crisis of meaning as its foundational principle - the authority of historical consciousness - increasingly fails to inspire modern American Jews. The movement's traditional reliance on "Historical Judaism," deeply rooted in nineteenth-century German historical thinking, has paradoxically undermined its ability to provide transformative religious leadership. Through critical examination of Conservative texts, rabbinic arguments, and theological positions, this research reveals how historical justifications for halakhic authority have inadvertently ceded religious agenda-setting to an increasingly disconnected laity. While historically sophisticated, Conservative theological arguments hold little sway with contemporary Jews shaped by secular academic culture that approaches tradition with critique rather than reverence. Analysis of contemporary Conservative Jewish discourse and leadership statements demonstrates that the movement must pivot from historical legitimation to emphasizing the experiential power and spiritual discipline of halakhic practice. Success in modern American society requires reframing halakhah's value through its capacity to create meaning, build community, and sustain Jewish identity - a paradigmatic shift from historical authority to experiential relevance that could reinvigorate Conservative Judaism's voice and impact among its constituents.