Description
Book SynopsisFeatures an array of scholars of Jewish history, 1929 surveys the Jewish world in one year offering clear examples of the transnational connections which linked Jews to each other-from politics, diplomacy, and philanthropy to literature, culture, and the fate of Yiddish-regardless of where they lived.
Trade ReviewAnthologies are notoriously difficult to evaluate because they are disparate. Withal, the interesting material presented in these articles more than compensates for the inability of some contributors to march under the assigned 1929 banner. -- Henry L. Feingold * The Journal of American History *
This wide-ranging and innovative collection of essays presents the distinct features of the interwar period in Jewish history throughout the world. Using the year 1929 as a focal point, the volume's essays depict the transition from the tumultuous, yet often hopeful, 1920s to the dire straits of the 1930s. This is a splendid overview of the demographic, political and cultural ferment of the era. -- Derek Penslar,University of Oxford and University of Toronto
The books greatest success lies not only in elevating the importance of 1929 as a turning point in Jewish history, but also in problematizing the very notion of periodization. Furthermore, the collections focus on this particular year manages to successfully upset several paradigms dominating the study of modern Jewish history and literature. This volume will prove a welcome addition to surveys of modern Jewish history * American Historical Review *
Table of ContentsIntroduction Hasia R. Diner and Gennady EstraikhPart I: Global Ties 1 Living Locally, Organizing Nationally, and Thinking Globally: The View from the United StatesHasia R. Diner 2 Jewish Diplomacy at a Crossroads David Engel 3 The Stalinist "Great Break" in Yiddishland Gennady Estraikh 4 Permanent Transit 5 Polish Jewry, American Jewish Immigrant Philanthropy, and the Crisis of 1929Rebecca Kobrin 6 Jewish American Philanthropy and the Crisis of 1929Rakefet Zalashik 7 Territorialism and the ICOR "American Commission of Scientists and Experts" to the Soviet Far EastHenry SrebrnikPart II: Local Stories 8 From Universal Values to Cultural Representations Avner Ben-Zaken 9 The Struggle over Yiddish in Postimmigrant America Eric L. Goldstein 10 When the Local Trumps the GlobalJeffrey LesserPart III: Literature 11 Patterning a New LifeGabriella Safran 12 David VogelGlenda Abramson 13 Radical Conservatism Joseph Sherman 14 Desire, Destiny, and DeathMikhail KrutikovIndex Contributors
