Customer Reviews

American Jewish Desk Reference: The Ultimate One-Volume Reference to the Jewish Experience in America

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While I agree with many of the positive comments made about this book, there are, of course, many omissions. Decisions about what to include or exclude in such a book will never satisfy everyone. My search for mention and discussion of several prominent Rabbis of the 20th century (e.g., R. Telushkin, R. Riemer, R. Schulweis, R. Wolpe) yielded no mention. Dr. Ruth, however, has a very nice photo!

For anyone seeking information on Judaism in the United States, whether it be personal biographies, individual accomplishments, events, themes, or contemporary issues, this work will provide an answer. It covers almost every aspect of Jewish culture, including family life, religion, politics, entertainment, education, the humanities, sports, history, rituals, science and language. There are also a number of in-depth essays, written by experts and with accompanying citations for further reading. Also included are over 100 photographs from the American Jewish Historical Society, and countless sidebars with interesting statistical and other tidbits of information. A full analytical index and a detailed table of contents provide easy access to needed information. All in all, a wonderfully comprehensive work that should prove a fine addition to any personal library.