JPS: The Americanization of Jewish Culture 1888-1988 (Philip and Muriel Berman Edition) [Hardcover]

Dr. Jonathan D. Sarna (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1989 | Series: Philip and Muriel Berman Edition

Published to mark the 100th anniversary of The Jewish Publication Society, Jonathan Sarna’s engaging blend of anecdote and analysis presents the personalities and the controversies, the struggles and the achievements behind a century of publishing by the oldest English-language publisher of Jewish books in the world. Includes black and white photographs and extensive listings of JPS officers and editors, governing boards, and authors, translators, and illustrators, up to 1988.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Although the Jewish Publication Society is a small, noncommercial publisher, it has had a big impact on American Jewish culture. Sarna's history, commissioned by the society to honor its 100th anniversary, is no eulogistic account. He has written a brilliant, critical study that views it as a microcosm of the American Jewish experience. The conflicts between Jewish religious movements and the continuing quest to define what exactly is Jewish about American Jewish life are the crucial hinges to his account. Recommended for all libraries with strong Judaica and/or publishing collections.
- Paul Kaplan, Highland Park P.L., Ill.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 430 pages
• Publisher: The Jewish Publication Society (July 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0827603185
• ISBN-13: 978-0827603189
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #771,794 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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5.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive history of The Jewish Publication Society, June 6, 2005

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This review is from: JPS: The Americanization of Jewish Culture 1888-1988 (Philip and Muriel Berman Edition) (Hardcover)

JPS The Americanization Of Jewish Culture 1888-1988 is a comprehensive history of The Jewish Publication Society and its mission to become America's foremost publisher of Jewish books in English. From the efforts JPS's founders, a group of genttel Philadelphia philanthropists, to the story of how a tragic love affair with a JPS author was the turning point for Henrietta Szold to become a founder of Hadassah and Youth Aliyah, to a close scrutiny of the deliberations and behind-the-scenes work that went into the JPS Bible translations of 1917 and 1985, which have been since deemed acceptable to all major branches of Judaism. Part reflection, part manifesto, part record and part testimony to an ongoing dream, JPS The Americanization Of Jewish Culture 1888-1988 is a welcome addition to Judaic studies and literature reference shelves.