Social groups: religious groups and communities Books

Book SynopsisIn a city with a long history of high social barriers and forbidding aristocratic preserves, Philadelphia Jews, in the last half of the twentieth century, became a force to reckon with in the cultural, political and economic life of the region. From the poor neighborhoods of original immigrant settlement, in South and West Philadelphia, Jews have made, as Murray Friedman recounts, the move from 'outsiders' to 'insiders' in Philadelphia life. Essays by a diverse range of contributors tell the story of this transformation in many spheres of life, both in and out of the Jewish community: from sports, politics, political alliances with other minority groups, to the significant debate between Zionists and anti-Zionists during and immediately after the war. In this new edition, Friedman takes the history of Philadelphia Jewish life to the close of the twentieth century, and looks back on how Jews have shaped and have been shaped by Philadelphia and its long immigrant history. Author note: Murray Friedman is Middle-Atlantic Regional Director of the American Jewish Committee and Director of the Myer and Rosaline Feinstein Center for American Jewish History at Temple University. He is the author or editor of numerous books, including, most recently (with Albert D. Chernin), "A Second Exodus: The American Movement to Free Soviet Jews".Table of ContentsForeword E. Digby Baltzell Acknowledgments Introduction to the New Edition: The Eighties to a New Century Murray Friedman and Andrew Harrison Introduction: From Outsiders to Insiders? Philadelphia Jewish Life, 1940-1985, Murray Friedman 1. Philadelphia Jewry, the Holocaust and the Birth of the Jewish State i. Philadelphia Jewry and the Holocaust Philip Rosen, Robert Tabak, and David Gross ii. Four Fateful Years: Philadelphia's Jews and the Creation of the State of Israel Philip Rosen 2. The Opposition to Zionism: The American Council for Judaism Under the Leadership of Rabbi Louis Wolsey and Lessing Rosenwald Thomas A. Kolsky 3. Philadelphia Jews and Radicalism: The American Jewish Congress Cleans House, Paul Lyons 4. From Periphery to Prominence: Jews in Philadelphia Politics, 1940-1985 Dennis Clark 5. An Ambivalent Alliance: Blacks and Jews in Philadelphia, 1940-1985 Murray Friedman and Carolyn Beck 6. Wynnefield: Story of a Changing Neighborhood David P. Varady 7. A Place to Live: The Jewish Builders of Northeast Philadelphia Peter Binzen 8. Home and Haven: Soviet Jewish Immigration to Philadelphia, 1972-1982 Nora Levin 9. Changing Styles of Synagogue Life: Conservative Judaism in Philadelphia Sidney H. Schwartz 10. A Generation of Learning: Jewish Education in Philadelphia, 1940-1980 Diane A. King, William B. Lakritz, and Saul P. Wachs 11. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia: A Quarter Century of Change Ernest M . Kahn 12. From A To "Zink": Philadelphia Jews in Sports Ron Avery 13. Jews and the Cultural Revival of Philadelphia Don Harrison Afterword: The Once and Future City-One Jewish Philadelphian's Odyssey Dan Rottenberg Notes About the Contributors Index

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Book SynopsisYiddish is a rich, complex, and multilayered language, and that complexity is reflected in Yiddish culture. In "The Oys of Yiddish", Edward S. Shapiro has gathered a collection of lively essays on Yiddish literature, music, film, and journalism in the United States. This accessible volume demonstrates the enduring value of Yiddish culture through its reliance on solidarity, its artistic adaptability, and its balance of secular and religious characteristics. Shapiro also addresses the problems that have arisen when this vibrant language has been misunderstood or stereotyped, in a book that is sure to delight anyone interested in American Jewish culture.

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Book SynopsisMore than eight hundred years after his death, the figure of Maimonides - rabbi, philosopher, doctor, and communal leader - continues to fascinate. "Studies in Maimonides and His Interpreters" is the first book to unite the traditional rabbinic approach and the modern academic perspective to forge a new understanding of this iconic teacher. This groundbreaking work by Marc B. Shapiro, which includes an essay on Maimonides' approach to superstition in rabbinic literature and features three previously unpublished letters by Rabbi Joseph Kafih, will be essential reading for scholars and students of Jewish studies.

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Book SynopsisFundamentally different from other, more prominent Jewish traditions and experiences, the Sephardic tradition has long served to bind together the various Jewish communities of the Mediterranean basin. In "The Sephardic Legacy", Henry Toledano immerses readers in the medieval historical context that gave rise to the Sephardic tradition, arguing that the golden age of Jewish culture in Spain would not have been possible without the stimulus and inspiration of Islamic civilization. Along the way, Toledano covers such topics as the flourishing of Jewish culture and science, Hebrew poetry, the systematic codification of Jewish law, Jewish philosophy, and the impact of Islamic civilization on the development of critical biblical exegesis.

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Book SynopsisHow Muslim-American identity has been shaped by 9/11 and its after effectsTrade Review"In this savvy, research-based book, sociologist Peek (Colorado State Univ.) reports on interviews with Arab and South Asian Muslim Americans conducted after the 9/11 attacks. Peek provides an excellent introduction to the oppressive realities these Americans face, including sharp increases in hate crimes and illegal government spying after 9/11... This important book counters many US myths about Muslim Americans, their origins, and their life experiences. It makes them 'come alive' as important US residents seeking to counter 'othering' by fellow Americans...Summing Up: Highly recommended." -Choice "[A] well-researched, thoughtful examination of how processes of postdisaster backlash heighten social boundaries, despite both popular and scholarly assumptions of solidarity after disaster... One highlight of Peek's analysis is her sensitive consideration of the impact of 9/11 backlash on respondents who are less 'visibly Muslim.'...[The book] is engagingly written and often powerful." -Sociology of ReligionTable of ContentsAcknowledgments 1. Introduction 2. Under Attack 3. Encountering Intolerance 4. Backlash 5. Repercussions 6. Adaptations 7. Conclusion Notes Index

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Book Synopsis A few years ago, a debate between atheists and religious believers spilled out from the halls of academia and the pews of America’s churches and into the public spotlight. A crop of atheist manifestos led the charge, surmounting and holding the tops of the nonfiction bestseller lists. This debate brought on an outpouring of religious rebuttals as both sides exchanged spirited volleys, accusations were leveled; myths, stereotypes, and strawmen arguments were perpetuated; and bitter hostility filled the air. Today many of these misconceptions and myths linger on, along with the generally acrimonious spirit of the debate. In America’s Blessings, distinguished researcher Rodney Stark seeks to clear the air of this hostility and debunk many of the debate’s most widely perpetuated misconceptions by drawing from an expansive pool of sociological findings. Stark rises above the fray and focuses exclusively on facts by examining the measurable effects of religious faith and practice on American society. His results may surprise many atheists and believers alike. Starting with a historical overview, Stark traces America’s religious roots from the country’s founding to the present day, showing that religiosity in America has never been consistent, static, or monolithic. Interestingly, he finds that religious practice is now more prevalent than ever in America, despite any claims to the contrary. From here, Stark devotes whole chapters to unpacking the latest research on how religion affects the different facets of modern American life, including crime, family life, sexuality, mental and physical health, sophistication, charity, and overall prosperity. The cumulative effect is that when translated into comparisons with western European nations, the United States comes out on top again and again. Thanks in no small part to America’s rich religious culture, the nation has far lower crime rates, much higher levels of charitable giving, better health, stronger marriages, and less suicide, to note only a few of the benefits. In the final chapter, Stark assesses the financial impact of these religious realities. It turns out that belief benefits the American economy—and all 300 million citizens, believers, and nonbelievers alike—by a conservative estimate of $2.6 trillion a year. Despite the atheist outcry against religion, the remarkable conclusion is clear: all Americans, from the most religious among us to our secular neighbors, really ought to count our blessings. Trade Review “America’s Blessings provides a powerful debate on religion’s positives for all and comes from a researcher who considers the lasting impact of faith on American society as a whole. His history focuses on America’s religious roots from its founding to modern times, considering the latest research on how religion affects American life and values and analyzing the financial impact of religion. Belief benefits the American economy – this book outlines all the ways belief enhances life in the country, and is a pick for spirituality collections and general social issues holdings, as well.” —Midwest Book Review, February 2013 “America’s Blessings makes a significant contribution because there are few, if any, works like it. Stark set out to provide a “full accounting of the tangible…benefits of faith” because, given the anti-religion rhetoric prominent in contemporary dialogue, such accounting is sorely needed. Furthermore, Stark is the one to present this comprehensive treatment. He is a respected and accomplished authority on the sociological effects of religion serving on the faculty of one of the most prestigious universities in the land. The book itself wastes no time on platitudes, unfounded assertions, or the purely subjective. It is a serious, carefully researched, well-justified, and impeccably rational defense of the beneficial role of religion in American society.” —Southern Baptist Journal of Theology, Spring 2013 “In America’s Blessings: How Religion Benefits Everyone, Including Atheists, the respected and prolific sociologist Rodney Stark draws several striking conclusions after surveying the relevant data. I summarize a few of them here, but I cannot do justice to Professor Stark’s extraordinarily interesting book, nor the details of his arguments, which I highly recommend. . . . [It] undermines the old accusation that religion is unhealthy and antisocial.” —Daniel Peterson, Desert News. September 28, 2013 “Stark clearly demonstrates the positive impact that religion has on American society.” —Rev. Dan Erickson, The Hibbing Daily Tribune, Hibbing MN, September 21, 2013 “America’s Blessings is another important contribution from Rodney Stark in studying religion. Where influential voices continue to deride, marginalize and misunderstand the impact of religion, particularly Christianity, careful research may give them a reason to pause. Strikingly, Stark concludes his work with a rough but reasonable calculation of the savings to US society each year that are directly attributable to the religiousness of the nation. $2.67 trillion is a figure not to be sniffed at. Economists and pollies take note! Stark acknowledges that not only are these figures inadequate but also they are beside the point. Even if the numbers are close to right, the intangible benefits of American life provided by its religious culture are worth immeasurably more.” — Simon Smart, The Drum Online (ABC News)–May 20, 201 “Well-written, well documented, powerfully persuasive. Even secularists and atheists will be impressed—although some will not want to admit it!” —Steve Forbes “America’s Blessings makes a vital contribution to an underappreciated aspect of American exceptionalism. Stark eloquently shows how religion’s benefits in this unusually religious country fall not just on believers but also on those who profess no religious beliefs if they happen to live near those who do. As a master social scientist, he does not ask us to accept this as an act of faith but provides compelling data about ‘the religious effect’—on crime, charity, health, family life, achievement, education, and more. Despite claims about increasing secularization, religious America is alive and well and, as a result, so is the rest of America.” —Arthur C. Brooks, president, American Enterprise Institute “This careful and well-written book, unsurprisingly coming from the Templeton Press, is based on well-selected samples and professional analysis standards. Its report, ranging across crime, family stability, sexuality, mental and physical health, achievement, and philanthropy, indicates that faith makes a measurable and crucial difference. It is a valuable and courageous study.” —Iain R. Torrance, President of Princeton Theological Seminary and Former Moderator of the Church of Scotland Table of ContentsIntroduction / 3 Chapter 1: Creating Religious America / 9 Chapter 2: Crime and Prosocial Behavior / 37 Chapter 3: Fertility and Family / 57 Chapter 4: Sexuality/ 77 Chapter 5: Mental and Physical Health / 93 Chapter 6: Generous Citizenship / 113 Chapter 7: Achievement and Success / 133 Chapter 8: Intellectual Life / 147 Conclusion: Counting Our Blessings / 163 Notes / 169 Bibliography / 175 Index / 193

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Book SynopsisIn recent years, researchers across the social sciences have made important contributions to the study of religion. Thanks to their inquiry, we have greatly improved our understanding of how religion influences the vital dimensions of our lives, communities, and institutions. To give this research the attention it deserves, editor Jeff Levin assembled a panel of preeminent social scientists and gave them a single directive: write the ultimate statement on religion from within their respective social science discipline or field. The result is this single volume, “state-of-the-science” compendium—a first of its kind for the study of religion. Composed of ten essays, this book details the study of religion within nine basic and applied areas of social science. Along with a critical introduction to this subject, these essays include the expert contributions of: Kenneth I. Pargament & Julie J. Exline on psychology Anthony Gill on political science Charles M. North on economics Barry Hankins on history Annette Mahoney on family studies Byron R. Johnson on criminology Linda K. George on gerontology William H. Jeynes on education Jeff Levin on epidemiology Each essay features: An introduction to the history of the discipline’s or field’s religious research, as well as its most important people and published works. A comprehensive overview of key research findings and theories. A detailed research agenda to guide future scholars. An annotated bibliography of seminal works for the reader’s further consideration. Broad in scope and essential in focus, Religion and the Social Sciences is a significant addition to the field. It will prove indispensable to both new and established scholars looking for a comprehensive treatment of the subject and seeking promising avenues to pursue in their own research. Trade Review“Hands down, the most comprehensive and engaging volume in existence on why religion matters in the social sciences. This is required reading for academic scholars, graduate students, the educated public and anyone else who recognizes that in order to understand the world today, we must understand religion.” —Robert A. Emmons, professor of Psychology, University of California, Davis, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Positive Psychology, and author of The Psychology of Gratitude. “This is an important and timely addition to the burgeoning literature on religion in the social sciences. These chapters offer concise overviews and insightful commentaries on the study of religion in diverse fields, ranging from psychology and political science to criminology, gerontology, and epidemiology . . . and much more. This book should be required reading for scholars and researchers and students --and indeed, for anyone interested in the vast and growing body of work on religion and its implications for social life. The contributions here will help to chart the agendas for multiple fields for years to come.” —Christopher G. Ellison, professor of Sociology, Dean’s Distinguished Professor of Social Science, University of Texas at San Antonio “This collection covers a wide variety of subjects and provides the reader with a crisp and current introduction to the literature in each of the respective subfields of study. It is highly recommended both for advanced scholars and inquiring minds in related fields of study, such as criminology, education, economics, history, and psychology.” —Wilfred M. McClay, G. T. and Libby Blankenship Chair in the History of Liberty, University of Oklahoma “I am deeply grateful to my colleague and friend Jeff Levin for producing this important work. His rigorous exploration of the ‘faith factor’ in medicine and the health sciences is pioneering and his diligent scholarship in editing this book is a major contribution to the social sciences.” —Jay Hein, former director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives "This is a truly stellar contribution by one of the pioneers in the study of religion and health. I know of no other volume that provides such a genuinely comprehensive overview of the field by reviewing research in every social scientific discipline. This book is essential reading for any social scientist." —Neal Krause, Marshall H. Becker Collegiate Professor Emeritus of Public Health, The University of Michigan and author of Aging in the Church: How Social Relationships Affect Health

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Book SynopsisWhy are young people dropping out of religious institutions? Can anything be done to reverse the trend? In Got Religion?, Naomi Schaefer Riley examines the reasons for the defection, why we should care, and how some communities are successfully addressing the problem. The traditional markers of growing up are getting married and becoming financially independent. But young adults are delaying these milestones, sometimes for a full decade longer than their parents and grandparents. This new phase of “emerging adulthood” is diminishing the involvement of young people in religious institutions, sapping the strength and vitality of faith communities, and creating a more barren religious landscape for the young adults who do eventually decide to return to it. Yet, clearly there are some churches, synagogues, and mosques that are making strides in bringing young people back to religion.Got Religion? offers in-depth, on-the-ground reporting about the most successful of these institutions and shows how many of the structural solutions for one religious group can be adapted to work for another. The faith communities young people attach themselves to are not necessarily the biggest or the most flashy. They are not the wealthiest or the ones employing the latest technology. Rather, they are the ones that create stability for young people, that give them real responsibility in a community and that help them form the habits of believers that will last a lifetime.Trade Review“Naomi Schaefer Riley is an astute cultural observer and critic, and a very good interpreter of the larger meanings and implications of social science research. For those concerned about the religious live of emerging adults, Got Religion? will be essential reading.” —Christian Smith, William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Sociology and principle investigator, National Study of Youth and Religion “In researching and writing Got Religion? Naomi Schaefer Riley has accomplished a difficult task. She has managed to make fairly dense millennial generation demographic material both interesting and understandable. She has also connected the dots in illustrating how such material is relevant and instructive to those who seek to ‘bring young people back’ to their various faith traditions.” —Dr. Richard Land, president of Southern Evangelical Seminary“The precipitous drop in religious affiliation among young people in the United States has been covered to the point of exhaustion—often generating more heat than light. In Got Religion? Naomi Schaefer Riley weaves together a compelling counter narrative that focuses on the best examples of how various communities—Judaism, Catholicism, non-denominational Christianity and Islam—are successfully engaging young people. It is a study in American ingenuity, insight and reinvention as it applies to faith communities and it should be read by anyone in the field who believes that studying what works is the best way to fix what's wrong.” —Bill McGarvey, author of The Freshman Survival Guide “Got Religion? offers two reassuring messages to those worried that the under-thirty generation is running away from religion. First, it shows that the problem is not confined to particular faiths. Mormons and Muslims turn out to be as concerned as Catholics, Protestants and Jews. Second, it demonstrates that creative programs can succeed in luring young people back to religion. There is reason for hope. Chocked full of ideas and insights, this is a book that anyone interested in ‘youth engagement’ should read.” —Jonathan D. Sarna, president, Association for Jewish Studies; the Joseph Engel Visiting Professor of American Jewish Studies, Harvard University; the Joseph H. Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History; and chair, Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program, Brandeis University“No one writes about the religious experiences, beliefs, and practices of contemporary Americans more astutely or with great insight than Riley. In Got Religion? she explores the factors that tend to draw young adults into, or alienate them from, communities of faith. This is far from an exercise in merely academic sociology of religion. It contains valuable lessons for faith communities and their leaders—from Catholics and Jews to Mormons and Muslims—about what they can do to give young people, including young couples with children, stability and responsibility, helping them to deepen their spiritual lives and form habits that will serve them well in every dimension of their lives.” —Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton University “If you want a book with pat answers to the "problem" of millennials and organized religion, you've come to the wrong place. If, however, you want to consider the many ways that adults in their 20s and 30s engage with religion, God, and peoplehood, if you want a book that holds just as many questions as it does answers, then pull out your highlighter and get comfortable. Riley takes us on a fascinating journey that traverses religious, geographical, racial, and cultural boundaries. Learn from those who may share a different understanding of God but a similar drive to create a meaningful life. I know I did.” —Rabbi Shira Stutman, director of Jewish programming at Sixth I “Naomi Schaeffer Riley is one of the keenest analysts of American religious life today. In this book, she takes up a question that every religious community is asking. Not everyone will agree with everything in this book, but everyone who cares about American religious life will find a provocative and fruitful catalyst for conversation and action.” —Russell D. Moore, president, Southern Baptist Ethics Religious Liberty CommissionTable of ContentsPreface / vii Introduction / 1 Location, Location, Location:How the Theology of Place Is Plugging Young Adults back into Their Communities and Their Churches / 17 The All-American Mosque:How Shedding Immigrant Ways Can Reshape Islam in the United States / 35 Joining the Service:How the Catholic Church Is Training a New Generation of Laypeople to Be Spiritual Leaders / 55 What’s NEXT?Channeling the Enthusiasm of Birthright Israel into a Permanent Jewish Commitment / 73 A Ward of Their Own:How the Mormon Church Is Turning Twenty-Somethings into Community Leaders / 91 When No One Needs Church Anymore, How Do You Make Them Want It?The Relevance of the Black Church in the Twenty- First Century / 107 The End of Sheep Stealing:How Churches Can Collaborate to Bring Twenty-Somethings Back into the Fold / 123 Conclusion / 139 Notes / 155 Index / 157

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisAn incisive look at gender inequities in Jewish day school education

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Book SynopsisA critical assessment of Jewishness in Woody Allen's films and plays

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Book SynopsisRecounts the remarkable tenure of Annie Landau as principal of the Evelina de Rothschild School in Jerusalem

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Book SynopsisOver 170 amazing photographs of Jewish life in the Pale of Settlement, from S. An-sky's ethnographic expeditions

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Book SynopsisThe First Jihad tells the story of Muhammad Ahmad, a Muslim religious leader in Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, and the uprising he led against British and Egyptian forces in the late nineteenth century. In 1881, Ahmad declared himself the Mahdi– the ‘Expected One’ – and travelled through Sudan, gathering support for his jihad. Initially, the Egyptian-Ottoman authorities did not take the rebellion seriously. However, in 1883, Ahmad’s army, armed only with spears and swords, overwhelmed an Egyptian force of more than 8,000 men at El Obied, and went on to defeat an even larger relief force at Sheikan. The Mahdi’s army swelled to 30,000 men, and cut off the retreating British forces at Khartoum. The British attempted to break the siege, but were eventually defeated. Charles George Gordon, the British Governor General of Sudan, was beheaded on the steps of the palace, and his head was paraded through the streets of the city. The Mahdi died shortly afterwards, yet his revolt had succeeded. The British vacated the territory for almost 15 years, and it was not until 1899 that the British returned, wishing to end the encroachment of other European powers in the region. The Mahdist forces were crushed at the Battle of Omdurman, and the great jihad was brought to an end.Trade ReviewWhat is startling about the story of Muhammad Ahmad is the immediacy of the mysterious desert mullah to the incarnation of contemporary terrorism. This book is a must-read for every student and policy-maker who seeks to understand religious fundamentalism and terrorism in the world today. * Insight on Africa *This terrific book tells the story of the film 'Khartoum', which starred a hammy Charlton Heston and a comedic-turn Laurence Olivier. Although there was plenty of spectacle in the film and it was enjoyabkle in places, I'm not surprised the film hasn't yet been remastered for Blu-Ray. But the book fills in an enormous number of gaps and is infintely more satisfying. * Books Monthly *

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Book SynopsisThe process of secularization, which is one of the sources of present-day democracy, has its radical origins in eighteenth-century Europe. Criticism of religious norms and discipline, institutions and ideology led to the movement known as the Enlightenment. Its Jewish protagonists (the maskilim), a young intellectual elite, undertook the role of culturally revolutionizing eighteenth-century Jewish society. They aimed at overturning the monopolistic control of rabbinic scholars over education, publications, and social behaviour in favour of secular intellectual values. They sought to promote political rights and religious tolerance, embraced humanism, rationalism, and freedom of opinion. In turn, the end of Jewish isolation brought about a significant contribution to philosophy, science, and art, and participation in the culture of modern European society. This introduction to the emergence of Jewish Enlightenment (Haskalah) in Germany pays special attention to its most famous figure, Moses Mendelssohn, who was active at the centre of the Enlightenment in Berlin. The volume is richly illustrated with images of eighteenth-century manuscripts, books, and pamphlets, some of which are published here for the first time, and which derive from a collection assembled by the famous nineteenth-century scholar Leopold Zunz. This is an attractive book providing an excellent guide to the major cultural metamorphosis represented by Jewish Enlightenment.

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