Contemporary American Judaism:
Transformation and Renewal
American Jews radically reconceive the beliefs and practices of an ancient faith.
No longer controlled by a handful of institutional leaders based in remote headquarters and rabbinical seminaries, American Judaism is being transformed by the individual spiritual decisions of tens of thousands of Jews living in all corners of the United States. A pulpit rabbi and American Jew, Kaplan follows this religious individualism from its postwar suburban roots to the hippie revolution of the 1960s and the multiple postmodern identities of today. From Hebrew tattooing to Jewish Buddhist meditation, his book describes the remaking of historical tradition in ways that channel multiple ethnic and national identities. While pessimists worry about the vanishing American Jew, Kaplan focuses on the creative responses to contemporary spiritual trends that have made a Jewish religious renaissance possible. The result is an exciting transformation of what it means to be a religious Jew in twenty-first century America.
"There is no better guide to the remarkable changes in American Jewish religion."—Nathan Glazer, Harvard University
"A tour de force that covers every important development in each of the branches of American Judaism, and Kaplan does it with a deep sensitivity to the issues involved."—Chaim I. Waxman, Rutgers University
"A pioneering and exciting study. Kaplan concentrates on the right themes, asks appropriate questions, and relies on a comprehensive collection of sources and literature. He also brings new approaches and original categories to the study of religious expression in America today. Kaplan should be highly commended for facing boldly and honestly the new realities of American Jewish life."—Yaakov Ariel, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Dana Evan Kaplan is the Rabbi of Temple B'nai Israel in Albany, Georgia, and an adjunct associate professor at the Seigal College of Jewish Studies. His books include the Cambridge Companion to American Judaism, American Reform Judaism: An Introduction, Platforms and Prayer Books: Theological and Liturgical Perspectives on Reform Judaism, and Contemporary Debates on Reform Judaism: Conflicting Visions. Many of his publications can be found at www.DanaKaplan.com.
Click here to download the order form for
Contemporary American Judaism
and receive a 20% discount!
|
| |
 The
Cambridge Companion to American Judaism
Dana’s newest book is a comprehensive introduction to the most
important and interesting historical and contemporary facets of Judaism
in America. Written by twenty-four leading scholars from the fields of
religious studies, history, literature, philosophy, art history,
sociology, and musicology, the survey adopts an inclusive perspective
on Jewish religious experience.
More..
The
Cambridge Companion to American Judaism, Now Available at www.bn.com and www.amazon.com.
|
|
American
Reform Judaism
An exciting and up-to-date look at the American Reform movement, the
largest American Jewish denomination. The Union for Reform Judaism has
made a series of controversial decisions dealing with women,
intermarried couples, gays and lesbians, and a new platform. The
movement has been very successful but now struggles with an identity
crisis brought on by its liberal theology. This is the first
comprehensive description and analysis of contemporary Reform Judaism.
 Brand
new symposium about American Reform Judaism. From the quaterly journal
published by The American Jewish Congress.
More...
American Reform Judaism, Now Available at www.bn.com and www.amazon.com.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Platforms
and Prayer
Books
Platforms and Prayer Books is a remarkable collection of essays that
illustrates the Reform Jewish theological enterprise at work. Through
lively discussions on theological and liturgical topics, noted scholars
and rabbis trace the evolution of Reform Judaism, presenting innovative
approaches and creative interpretations on theology, what Jews believe,
and liturgy, what Jews pray.
More...
Platforms and Prayer Books, Now Available at www.bn.com and www.amazon.com.
|
|
 Contemporary
Debates In
American Reform Judaism
A groundbreaking collection of controversial essays that argue for and
against such topics as classical versus Neo-Reform Judaism; the role of
Reform in relation to the Conservative and Orthodox movements;
intermarriage and patrilineal descent; the role of women and feminism
in Reform, particularly women rabbis; the impact of the 1999 Pittsburgh
Principles; and interpretations of the latest census data for Reform
Jews.
More...
Contemporary Debates In American Reform Judaism, Now Available at www.bn.com and www.amazon.com.
|
|
|
A
noted Jewish studies scholar as well as a pulpit rabbi, Dana brings
excitement and energy to synagogue scholar in residence programs, guest
lectureships, and Jewish book fairs. His research interests are broad,
from contemporary Reform Judaism to American Jewish history, from
Judaism in contemporary film to Jewish humor.
More... |
|
|
