Customer Reviews

Synagogue Life: A Study in Symbolic Interaction

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A case study of a small Orthodox synagogue (apparently on the strict end of modern Orthodoxy) in the early 1970s; although the location is not identified, the author leaves a variety of clues suggesting that it is in a transitional neighborhood in the west side of (I think) Philadelphia. Heilman discusses interpersonal relationships, worship, study and other activities of this congregation.

Parts of Heilman's portrait seemed familiar to me; others didn't quite describe what I personally was familiar with, but nevertheless seemed like a plausible description of the congregation involved. I was a little surprised by how sexist and ideologically homogenous the synagogue seemed to be- but the first makes sense given that the book was written in the 1970s (before feminism had begun to influence even Orthodoxy) and the second makes sense given that it was located in Philadelphia (a bigger city than where I live, and thus one where congregations can appeal to a much narrower slice of the Jewish pie). It reads little too much like a dissertation to my taste- by which I mean, it was quite dry.

Heilman takes a synagogue which he calls ' Kehilat Kodesh' and studies the interactions that take place within it. His goal is not to forward spiritual life but rather to provide knowledge about the 'symbolic interactions' the face- to -face meetings . He studies their rules and norms and analyzes the public space. He writes about gossip and its social functions.
This book will give new knowledge about synagogue life to most readers. It is unlikely however to send anyone racing back to their siddur after having been long away from it.