Forward - The Jewish Daily Forward (Forverts) Newspaper: Immigrants, Socialism and Jewish Politics in New York, 1890-1917 - Hardcover

Ehud Manor

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1845193407 ISBN 13: 9781845193409

Publisher: Liverpool University Press, 2009

Synopsis

This book examines the role the Jewish Daily Forward played during the heyday of Jewish immigration to the United States, from 1897 to 1917. The JDF was a focus point for the 'Jewish street', as it dealt with issues of labour and strikes, Zionism and the American-Jewish Committee, and world war -- issues that were at the heart of Jewish everyday experience and concern. Although previous research and observation brought to the fore the inevitable policy and viewpoint contradictions expressed throughout its columns, this book is the first critical assessment of this eminent newspaper as its leader writers and columnists engaged with the centenary transition that saw myriad political and social change. The primary motivation for this investigation is the discrepancy between the paper's declared socialism on the one hand, and the co-operation between Abraham Cahan, JDF's editor, with the hard-line conservatives such as Jacob Schiff, on the other hand. By following Cahan's co-operation with the American-Jewish plutocracy, Ehud Manor suggests that the JDF was actually conservative in outlook, rather than progressive. The importance of such an historical account is not only in the uncovering of the checks and balances between different Jewish groups and Jewish polity and media, but also serves as an insight into the mechanism of Jewish modern politics. This book is based on Yiddish sources, the Forverts (JDF) issues, and other primary and secondary material. It is essential reading for all those engaged and interested in modern Jewish history.

About this title

About the Author

Ehud Manor an Assistant Lecturer in the Jewish History Department, Haifa University & Oranim College, and has published some 60 articles in academic and popular journals in Israel, as well as a book; two more books are forthcoming. He has participated in various academic conferences, in Israel, Sweden, Argentina and the United States, and is engaged in educational and social activity in Israel, as well as in Jewish communities, especially in Argentina.

Edition details

• Publisher: Liverpool University Press
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1845193407
• ISBN 13: 9781845193409
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 162