American Judaism (The Chicago History of American Civilization) [Paperback]

Nathan Glazer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0226298434 | ISBN-13: 978-0226298436 | Publication Date: March 15, 1988 | Edition: 1

First published in 1957, Nathan Glazer's classic, historical study of Judaism in America has been described by the New York Times Book Review as "a remarkable story . . . told briefly and clearly by an objective historical mind, yet with a fine combination of sociological insight and religious sensitivity."

Glazer's new introduction describes the drift away from the popular equation of American Judaism with liberalism during the last two decades and considers the threat of divisiveness within American Judaism. Glazer also discusses tensions between American Judaism and Israel as a result of a revivified Orthodoxy and the disillusionment with liberalism.

"American Judaism has been arguably the best known and most used introduction to the study of the Jewish religion in the United States. . . . It is an inordinately clear-sighted work that can be read with much profit to this day."—American Jewish History (1987)

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About the Author

Nathan Glazer is professor emeritus of education and sociology at Harvard University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; 1 edition (March 15, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226298434
• ISBN-13: 978-0226298436
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,417,699 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4.0 out of 5 stars Good Intellectual History of American Jews, January 9, 2011

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Michael P. Gallen "The Expatriate" (Pittsburgh) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: American Judaism (The Chicago History of American Civilization) (Paperback)

Nathan Glazer's American Judaism is on the whole a good if dated history of Judaism's history in the United States. It focuses heavily on the intellectual end of the subject matter, with a major emphasis on how the religion has evolved in response to the American environment.

The main focus of the book is on the emergence of Reform and Conservative Judaism, with somewhat less attention paid to Orthodox and the Hasidim. A writer for Commentary magazine, Glazer at times seems to overly favor Conservative Judaism, though not to the extent that it becomes a screed. Furthermore, in the final chapter, he overemphasizes the importance of support for the state of Israel to a 'truly' Jewish identity. This is a faily minor point in an overall good book.

If I had to make one criticism, it would be that Glazer's vision of Judaism focuses exclusively on rabbis and thinkers such as Mordecai Kaplan. It does not give enough attention to lay members of the Jewish community, let alone specific sub-groups such as women. Nevertheless, it is a good introduction to Jewish American history.