The Cambridge Companion To American Judaism

This volume provides readers with 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, American history and literature, philosophy, art history, sociology, and musicology, the book adopts an inclusive perspective on Jewish religious experience.


Three initial chapters cover the development of Judaism in America from 1654, when Sephardic Jews first landed in New Amsterdam, until today. Subsequent chapters include cutting-edge scholarship and original ideas while remaining accessible at an introductory level. A secondary goal of this volume is to help its readers better understand the more abstract term of ‘religion’ in a Jewish context. The Cambridge Companion to American Judaism will be of interest not only to scholars but also to all readers interested in social and intellectual trends in the modern world.

• Provides the most comprehensive, up-to-date and intellectually challenging introduction to this growing field

• Avoids writing about American Judaism from a denominational perspective, preferring to view the subject as a whole

• Includes many distinguished contributors

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American Reform Judaism

The only comprehensive and up-to-date look at Reform Judaism, this book analyzes the forces currently challenging the Reform movement, now the largest Jewish denomination in the United States. To distinguish itself from Orthodox and Conservative Judaism, the Reform movement tries to be an egalitarian, open, and innovative version of the faith true to the spirit of the tradition but nonetheless fully compatible with modern secular life.

Promoting itself in this way, Reform Judaism has been tremendously successful in recruiting a variety of people-intermarried families, feminists, gays and lesbians, and interracial families among others-who resist more traditional forms of worship. As an unintended result of this success, the movement now struggles with an identity crisis brought on by its liberal theology, which teaches that each Jew is free to practice Judaism more or less as he or she pleases. In the absence of the authority that comes from a theology based on a commanding, all-powerful God, can Reform Judaism continue to thrive? Can it be broadly inclusive and still be uniquely and authentically Jewish? Taking this question as his point of departure, Dana Evan Kaplan provides a broad overview of the American Reform movement and its history, theology, and politics.

He then takes a hard look at the challenges the movement faces as it attempts to reinvent itself in the new millennium. In so doing, Kaplan gives the reader a sense of where Reform Judaism has come from, where it stands on the major issues, and where it may be going. ÊAddressing the issues that have confronted the movement-including the ordination of women, acceptance of homosexuality, the problem of assimilation, the question of rabbinic officiation at intermarriages, the struggle for acceptance in Israel, and Jewish education and others-Kaplan sheds light on the connection between Reform ideology and cultural realities. He unflinchingly, yet optimistically, assesses the movement's future and cautions that stormy weather may be ahead.

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Platforms and Prayerbooks

Since the Enlightenment, Jews have sought to understand Judaism as a modern religion in an intellectual context equivalent to Christianity. This shifted the focus of attention away from the ritual commandments to a concern with the universal foundations of the faith. Platforms and Prayer Books analyzes the impact of that shift, presenting new approaches as well as innovative arguments. The essays in this collection express the inherent difficulty of reconciling theory with practice in a liberal religious framework.

In addition, they also demonstrate the surprising vitality of a movement that many expected to decline demographically as well as intellectually. Not only is the Reform movement actually increasing in numbers, but, as this book demonstrates, it is also showing an amazing breadth of creativity. Through lively discussions, noted scholars and rabbis trace the evolution of Reform Judaism through discussions on theological and liturgical topics that are grounded in the platforms and prayer books that chart the movement's developments through its 200-year history.

Contributors with perspectives from both within and outside of Reform Judaism evaluate trends and interpret changes that have taken and are taking place, exploring the historical context and contemporary significance of Reform Jewish belief.

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Contemporary Debates in American Reform Judaism

This is a groundbreaking collection of essays that takes a hard look at todayÕs Reform movement, the largest American Jewish denomination and the group that will have the most decisive impact on the future of the Jewish community. In this scholarly yet accessible collection, leading thinkers within and outside of the Reform movement share their insights about controversial issues such as:

• Classical versus Neo-Reform
• The role of women and feminism in Reform Judaism
• Intermarriage
• Conversion to Judaism
• Patrilineal descent
• The Outreach Program
• The role of gays and lesbians in the movement
• Reform in relation to the Conservative and Orthodox streams
• "Synagogue shopping"
• The "Spiritual Market Place" in the United States today
• Rabbinic and Lay Leadership
• The Legitimacy of the Movement
• The State of Israel and Reform Judaism
• The Future of the Movement

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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.

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American Reform Judaism, Now Available at www.bn.com and www.amazon.com.

Platforms and Prayer Books

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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.

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Contemporary Debates In American Reform Judaism, Now Available at www.bn.com and www.amazon.com.