Description
Book SynopsisMost American Jews today will probably tell you that Judaism is inherently democratic and that Jewish and American cultures share the same core beliefs and values. But in fact, Jewish tradition and American culture did not converge seamlessly. Rather, it was American Jews themselves who consciously created this idea of an American Jewish heritage a
Trade Review"History Lessons is a lucid and engaging work of scholarship with potential broad appeal. Wenger has produced the first in-depth study examining the ways in which American Jews have constructed a shared American Jewish heritage."--Rebecca J. W. Jefferson, AJL Reviews "History Lessons provides fascinating and essential reading for anyone keen to learn more about the more neglected dimensions of the cultural history of American Jews."--Alan Gibbs, Journal of American Studies "History Lessons offers a remarkable trove of historical literature built upon fact and myth, mostly authored outside the academy, but instructive in understanding how American Jews constructed a new identity in their adoptive land."--Hadassa Kosak, Journal of American History "Without reaffirming or criticizing these tenets of the American Jewish heritage, Wenger thoroughly and engagingly tells the story of their origin and evolution."--Jewish Review of Books "History Lessons is a work of scholarship, but it is an especially lucid and accessible one, and the book has a unique appeal for a nonacademic Jewish readership. Indeed, we are the subject of Wenger's impressive study, and it is fascinating to read about ourselves in its pages."--Jonathan Kirsch, Jewish Journal of Greater LA "[Subtle] and compelling."--Choice "History Lessons is an impressive work of historical scholarship and cultural studies. Its writing is lively, accessible, and thankfully free of academic jargon. It will certainly find its audience among scholars of Jewish history and of American history."--Pamela S. Nadell, H-Judaic "Now we see through Wenger's discussion yet another intriguing context: the newcomers coming of age and staking 'claim [to] their share in American Jewish heritage.' It is precisely this keen insight that makes this solidly conceived and well-written book important reading."--Jeffrey S. Gurock, Journal of Church and State "History Lessons is an impressive work of historical scholarship and cultural studies. Its writing is lively, accessible, and thankfully free of academic jargon. It will certainly find its audience among scholars of Jewish history and of American history."--Pamela S. Nadell, H-Net Reviews "Wenger's work provides a powerful framework that will hopefully guide future research but also inform a general readership about the nature of American Jewish life."--SMC, Jewish Book World
Table of ContentsList of Illustrations ix Acknowledgments xi Introduction 1 Chapter One: In Search of American Jewish Heritage 15 Chapter Two: Civic Performances: Jews and American National Holidays 58 Chapter Three: War Stories: Jewish Patriotism on Parade 96 Chapter Four: Historical Tales: Educating American Jewish Children 135 Chapter Five: Sculpting an American Jewish Hero: The Myths and Monuments of Haym Salomon 179 Epilogue: American Jewish Heritage after World War II 210 Notes 231 Index 265
