Engendering Judaism: An Inclusive Theology and Ethics [Paperback]

Rachel Adler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 10, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0807036196 | ISBN-13: 978-0807036198

Winner of the National Jewish Book Award for 1998.

How can women's full participation transform Jewish law, prayer, sexuality, and marriage? What does it mean to "engender" Jewish tradition? Pioneering theologian Rachel Adler gives this timely and powerful question its first thorough study in a book that bristles with humor, passion, intelligence, and deep knowledge of traditional biblical and rabbinic texts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

[Engendering Judaism] is dazzling in its inventiveness and analytic power. --Judith Plaskow, The Women's Review of Books

"Summarizing the thinking of a lifetime, Engendering Judaism is the first major work of feminist Jewish theology since Plaskow's Standing Again at Sinai." --Alicia Ostriker, Lilith

"Rachel Adler has written not only the most sophisticated and important book in the field of Jewish feminist thought but a study that can serve as a model for all feminist theological writings. . . . Her work brings us to a higher level of sophistication that will undoubtedly inspire fascinating discussion among Jewish feminists and offer some serious challenges to Christian feminists." --Susannah Heschel, Journal of the American Academy of Religion

"Rachel Adler has finally published what will surely be the major text of the new Jewish feminism. Her experience and her vision are synoptic, always reverencing tradition, but solidly feminist in spirit and ecumenical in tone." --Arnold Jacob Wolf, Judaism

"[Adler's] goal is not judgment and condemnation, but rather restoration and transmutation. 'Engendering Judaism' means for Adler the identification and development of transformative resources within the Jewish tradition in a shared, communal process, with women and men working together toward a more just future." --P. K. Steinfeld, Choice

About the Author

Rachel Adler holds a joint appointment at the University of Southern California and Hebrew Union College.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Beacon Press (September 10, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807036196
• ISBN-13: 978-0807036198
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #488,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exciting, insightful and energizing book! Impressive!!, January 9, 2003

By 

Curmudgeon (NY, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Engendering Judaism: An Inclusive Theology and Ethics (Paperback)

I assigned this book as one of the seminar readings for my Jewish Studies class at the Evergreen State College. While the book was suitably demanding of my undergraduate readers due to its erudition and scholarship, it rewarded them with well argued, respectful and deeply engaging feminist solutions to the challenges of looking at Jewish beliefs, texts, and traditions, from a contemporary point of view. The author begins with a beautifully structured critical look at the patriarchal impact on Jewish culture and religion. It follows with useful and well researched arguments for re-engaging an ancient tradition in the building of inclusive, egalitarian and relevant Jewish communities. It is a breath of fresh air and possibly the best book on Judaism you will read on worthwhile contemporary issues. It addresses feminist concerns, queer issues and other important questions, and offers scholarly, wise, and compasionate tools to re-evaluate how to build the Judaism of the future . My students (Jewish and non-Jewish) loved it!!!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Work of Theology!, February 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Engendering Judaism: An Inclusive Theology and Ethics (Paperback)

Scholarly, yet readable, this book marks a promising beginning for those who wish to create a Jewish feminist theology and identity without compromising Jewish or feminist values. I would encourage anyone who is concerned about making Judaism more equitable for women and men alike and ensuring that the religion will continue to grow and thrive to read this book!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Important Book On Jewish Theology in Our Lifetimes!, September 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Engendering Judaism: An Inclusive Theology and Ethics (Hardcover)

While Adler's book is on the scholarly side, it's eminently readable, and incredibly important. This offers excellently-reasoned and wittily-presented arguments neatly pinpointing some of the fundamental issues facing Judaism today, and among other things, unveiling the first reasonable and equitably halachic solution to the Jewish marriage problems. By far the very best work of any Jewish feminist to date, and easily stands beside any of the great and venerable works of modern Jewish thought, feminist or not. No Jew should get married before reading this.