Judaism in the Modern World (The B. G. Rudolph Lectures in Judaic Studies) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0814712231 ISBN 13: 9780814712238

Publisher: New York University Press, 1994

Synopsis

In the history of Judaism, no cultural contact has resulted in such sweeping changes as the tradition's encounter with modernity. Beginning in the late 18th century, political, religious and social emancipation opened the door to both undreamt opportunity and cataclysmic disaster. At the same time, this cultural upheaval raised fundamental questions concerning the validity of the Jewish covenant and the meaning of Jewish identity. The chapters share an overarching concern with the issue of Jewish persistence amidst changing forms of identity in the modern world. Taken together, they may be read as reflecting four central concerns of Judaism in the modern world: historical reflections, which treat a variety of cultural and historiographical issues in observing the Jewish presence in modernity; the holocaust and its aftermath; literature, its content, meaning and task; and the theological dimensions of Judaism. When viewed through the prisms of these concerns, Judaism emerges as a tradition in search of a useable past - even in the face of radical discontinuity - in order to live in the present while planning for the future.

About this title

Review

"A most welcome event. Now, in one easily accessible volume, all the collective wisdom of some of the very best contemporary Jewish scholarship is at one's fingertips." -Steven T. Katz, Cornell University "In this sweeping volume, fourteen of American Jewry's best scholars and thinkers confront the central issues that define Jews and Judaism in the modern world. . . . One emerges with renewed appreciation for the tragedies, hopes, ideals and paradoxes of twentieth century Jewish life." -Jonathan D. Sarna, Joseph H., & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History, Brandeis University "As a teacher of a modern Jewish history course, I'll constantly be referring my students to this collection of insightful articles on major issues relating to modern Jewish identity by some of today's leading Jewish Studies scholars." -Lawrence Baron Nasatir, Professor of Modern Jewish History and Director, Lipinsky Institute for Judaic Studies, San Diego State University

About the Author

Alan L. Bergeris the Director of Jewish Studies and teaches in the Department of Religion at Syracuse University. The author/editor of four books, including Crisis and Covenant, he is on the editorial board of Studies in American Jewish Literature and has served as a judge for the National Jewish Book Awards.

Edition details

• Publisher: New York University Press
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0814712231
• ISBN 13: 9780814712238
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 1
• Editor: Berger Alan L.