Judaism in America
Jews have been a religious and cultural presence in America since the colonial era, and the community of Jews in the United States today -- some six million people -- continues to make a significant contribution to the American religious landscape. Emphasizing developments in American Judaism in the last quarter century among active participants in Jewish worship, this book provides both a look back into the 350-year history of Judaic life and a well-crafted portrait of a multifaceted...
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Attending worship services at 100 synagogues and digging through historical archives, Raphael (Judaic studies and religion, College of William and Mary) has attempted a comprehensive portrait of Judaism as it evolved and exists in the United States. He surveys demographics; beliefs, festivals, and rituals; and institutions and organizations of religious activity. The role of the synagogue in Jewish life is afforded its own chapter. Also included are select profiles of prominent Jewish thinkers. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR Publishers Weekly Raphael, the chair of the religion department at the College of William and Mary, explores the history, theology and practices of American Jews in this accessible and absorbing survey. After a brief introductory chapter outlining Jewish diversity, Raphael discusses festivals and life-cycle events, which are the building blocks of Judaism in practice. Other chapters consider the history of Judaism in America, the changing role of the synagogue and the rise of the many para-synagogue organizations and institutions that help define Jewish life. Raphael's study is greatly enriched by his primary ethnographic research; he attended more than 100 services in the four major branches of Judaism, and also interviewed people formally and informally about their beliefs and practices. While he acknowledges the usual grim statistics (declining numbers, increasing intermarriage and a low birth rate), he doesn't dwell on them, insisting instead that "what strikes the contemporary observer of the synagogue is its vitality." One particularly fascinating chapter explores the increase of interest in spirituality and Jewish renewal, the emergence of homosexual congregations, the "surge" in Jewish day schools and the gradual decline of identification with Israel compared to 50 years ago. Another chapter examines the return to traditional observance that has marked all sectors of Judaism in recent years. Newcomers will find this an engaging introduction to American Judaism, and even experts may learn something new. (Aug.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
AcknowledgmentsCh. 1What is American Judaism?1Ch. 2Beliefs, Festivals, and Life-cycle Events13Ch. 3A History of Judaism in America39Ch. 4Institutions, Organizations, and American Jewish Religious Activity75Ch. 5The Synagogue97Ch. 6The Future of American Judaism115Ch. 7Select Profiles of Judaic Thinkers in America135Ch. 8The Retrieval of Tradition153Notes171Glossary199Selected Further Reading207Electronic Resources217Index219
\ The Journal of Jewish Studies - George R. Wilkes\ A valuable contribution to the teaching of modern Judaism and of religion in America.\ \ \ \ \ \ H-Amstdy - Shira Kohn Levy\ An excellent overview of the transformation of Judaism in the United States.\ \ \ \ ChoiceRaphael makes an enlightening contribution to the history, development, and future of Judaism... A most pleasurable read. Recommended.\ \ \ \ \ \ Association of Jewish Libraries NewsletterThis is an excellent addition to all collections because it provides a focused overview of American Jewish life today.\ \ \ \ \ \ Jewish Book WorldRaphael's study is not merely a collected analysis of texts, as is clear from his research throughout Jewish communities, but rather an attempt to capture the true nature of the American Jewish community's history: past, present and future.\ \ \ \ \ \ The Times Literary SupplementRaphael gives detailed accounts of Judaism being affected by particularities of society in America.... As the title of this excellent study suggests, the book concerns the religion rather than the people.\ — Daniel Crewe\ \ \ \ \ \ The Journal of Jewish StudiesA valuable contribution to the teaching of modern Judaism and of religion in America.\ — George R. Wilkes\ \ \ \ \ \ H-AmstdyAn excellent overview of the transformation of Judaism in the United States.\ — Shira Kohn Levy\ \ \ \ \ \ Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter NewsletterThis is an excellent addition to all collections because it provides a focused overview of American Jewish life today.\ \ \ \ \ \ The Times Literary SupplementRaphael gives detailed accounts of Judaism being affected by particularities of society in America.... As the title of this excellent study suggests, the book concerns the religion rather than the people.\ \ \ \ \ \ Publishers WeeklyRaphael, the chair of the religion department at the College of William and Mary, explores the history, theology and practices of American Jews in this accessible and absorbing survey. After a brief introductory chapter outlining Jewish diversity, Raphael discusses festivals and life-cycle events, which are the building blocks of Judaism in practice. Other chapters consider the history of Judaism in America, the changing role of the synagogue and the rise of the many para-synagogue organizations and institutions that help define Jewish life. Raphael's study is greatly enriched by his primary ethnographic research; he attended more than 100 services in the four major branches of Judaism, and also interviewed people formally and informally about their beliefs and practices. While he acknowledges the usual grim statistics (declining numbers, increasing intermarriage and a low birth rate), he doesn't dwell on them, insisting instead that "what strikes the contemporary observer of the synagogue is its vitality." One particularly fascinating chapter explores the increase of interest in spirituality and Jewish renewal, the emergence of homosexual congregations, the "surge" in Jewish day schools and the gradual decline of identification with Israel compared to 50 years ago. Another chapter examines the return to traditional observance that has marked all sectors of Judaism in recent years. Newcomers will find this an engaging introduction to American Judaism, and even experts may learn something new. (Aug.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.\ \ \ \ \ Library JournalA fine contribution to the "Columbia Contemporary American Religion" series, Raphael's book is an apt portrait of contemporary Judaism in America. A rabbi and professor of Judaic studies (Coll. of William & Mary), Raphael provides capsule coverage of Judaism's beliefs, doctrines, history, institutions, and religious leaders and the diversity of thought in the four-part Jewish community (Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, and Reconstructionist). Raphael finds that there are about six million Jews in America but that only about three million consider themselves to be religious. His research on their beliefs includes interviews and visits to about 100 synagogues. Each section is short and to the point, never bogging down in tedious details. Some of the most significant chapters deal with the religious practices, life-cycle events, beliefs, and devotional life of synagogues in America. This is a solid contribution to the Columbia series, which already includes volumes on Buddhism, Roman Catholicism, Islam, and Protestantism. Recommended for public and academic libraries, especially where the series is being collected.-James A. Overbeck, Atlanta-Fulton P.L. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.\ \
