Engendering Judaism: An Inclusive Theology and Ethics (Hardcover)

by Rachel Adler (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"In this passionately argued envisioning, Adler insists that theology and ethics are meaningful only in practice and proposes strategies, through interpretations of classic texts, that point the way to a 21st-century Judaism of full gender equality." -- Reform Judaism Magazine

"Rachel Adler has finally published what will surely be the major text of the new Jewish feminism...Engendering Judaism is a crucial work, courageous, dialectical, learned, and persuasive...a truly new Jewish feminism takes wings, ascends upwards, filling our sky with beauty and hope." -- Judaism

Product Description
Engendering Judaism discusses the remaking of Jewish law3/4that is, the reshaping of the moral universe that is the law's context. Adler argues for an ethics of sexuality and relationship that respects all people equally. Theologies and ethics are meaningful only if they are translated into practice. Engendering Judaism culminates with a critique of the traditional marriage ceremony, and proposes instead a new legal construct, grounded in partnership law, not property law.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 269 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Publication Society of America (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0827605846
• ISBN-13: 978-0827605848
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #980,256 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 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!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Curmudgeon (Olympia, WA USA) - 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!!!

13 of 13 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

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.