Description
Book SynopsisWatershed events - including the second Palestinian uprising in 2000, September 11 2001 and the Iraq war - have created major challenges for American Jewry, leading to changes in its perceptions and environment. Through conversations with some of America''s most influential Jewish leaders, Manfred Gerstenfeld sheds light on the how the tumultuous events of recent years have affected and will continue to influence the American Jewish population. These include issues surrounding education, assimilation and revitalization, relationships with other religious communities, anti-Semitism and generational change. Of enormous historical value, American Jewry''s Challenge serves as a time capsule capturing American Jewry at the dawn of the 21st century.
Trade ReviewA time capsule of analyses and predictions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the growth of antisemitism, trends in the American Jewish community, relations with Evangelical Christians, and the danger of radical Islam by a distinguished group of American Jewish leaders. Only time will tell who were the true prophets. -- David R. Blumenthal, Jay and Leslie Cohen Professor of Judaic Studies, Emory University, author of Facing the Abusing God: A Theology of Protest.
Professor Gerstenfeld provides a useful analysis of the problems facing Jews today along with commentary by current Jewish leaders on how to grapple with them. -- Murray Friedman, director, Feinstein Center for American Jewish History at Temple University
This book offers a fascinating look at how America's Jewish leadership has begun to assess the impact of recent global events. New threats, old challenges and future alliances are explored in a reflective snapshot by key players whose careers span decades of organizational activism. Historians and policymakers—not only in America but particularly in Europe—will find these interviews both useful and revealing. -- Barry Kosmin, executive director, Institute for Jewish Policy Research, London
How are American Jewish leaders responding to the new dangers of the 21st century? Manfred Gerstenfeld captures the thinking of these leaders at a transitional moment, when the formulas of the 20th century may no longer work and the solutions of the new century have yet to be conceived. -- Jack Wertheimer, Provost and Professor of American Jewish History, Jewish Theological Seminary
This study pinpoints problems and suggests solutions and is a good beginning place for those who want to understand what is going on in the modern American Jewish community. -- David Wallace * Community *
Following up on surveys conducted by the "Jews and the American Public Square" project examining how US Jews link their Jewishness and engagement as citizens, this volume comprises interviews with 17 prominent American Jews in light of 9/11, Lieberman's presidential candidacy, and other recent "mega-events." * Reference and Research Book News *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Acknowledgements Chapter 2 Foreword Chapter 3 American Jewry after Recent Mega-Events Part 4 Interviews Chapter 5 Norman Podhoretz: Countervailing Trends in American Jewry Chapter 6 Alan Dershowitz: Unprepared Jewish Leadership and Radical Change Chapter 7 Gray Rosenblatt: Change and Perplexity Chapter 8 David Harris: Confronting Existential Questions Chapter 9 Malcolm Hoenlein: A Community Seeking Unity through Consensus Chapter 10 Stuart Eizenstat: The Activism of American Jews and Restitution Chapter 11 Abraham Foxman: The Resuscitation of Anti-Semitism Chapter 12 Marvin Hier: Building a Major Organization from Scratch Chapter 13 Daniel Pipes: The End of American Jewry's Golden Era Chapter 14 Shoshana Cardin: Community versus Individualism Chapter 15 Rela Mintz Geffen: Sociological Changes in the Community Chapter 16 David Ellenson: New Concepts for Teaching Reform Rabbis Chapter 17 Ismar Schorsch: Indicators of Spiritual Renaissance Chapter 18 Norman Lamm: Changes in Modern Orthodoxy Chapter 19 Richard Joel: Revitalizing Hillel Chapter 20 Carole Solomon: National and International Responsibilities Chapter 21 Mark Charendoff: At the Core of the Funding Revolution Chapter 22 Afterword Chapter 23 Index Chapter 24 About the Contributors and Interviewees Chapter 25 About the Author
