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The Vanishing American Jew: In Search of Jewish Identity for the Next Century Paperback – September 8, 1998

by Alan M. Dershowitz (Author)

14 customer reviews

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Dershowitz "writes with characteristic optimism and audacity" ("The New York Times Book Review"), in this provocative book about the contradictions and quandaries of American-Jewish assimilation.

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Product details

Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Touchstone; Touchstone ed edition (September 8, 1998)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0684848988
ISBN-13: 978-0684848983
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.3 x 8.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 14 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #419,281 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #622 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Specific Demographics > Minority Studies
- #1887 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism
- #2451 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders & Notable People > Political

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Boraxo

Well written, enjoyable and on the mark

November 8, 2004

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

A well-written easy-to-read book that right on the mark as it tackles one of the most difficult problems in contemporary judaism. As with all of Dershowitz' books, this one is filled with humor, meticulously researched and contains compelling arguments in support of his view that organized judaism is failing to provide the proper educational foundation to ensure the continuation of reform and conservative judaism in the USA.

Even if you, like me, do not share Mr. Dershowitz' orthodox background or left-wing politics, don't let that deter you from reading this excellent book.

6 people found this helpful

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April 19, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Makes you think about the future of the American Jewish community. The author has some good ideas for perpetuating the survival of the American Jew.

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yossi shirazi

Message needs to be heard

February 3, 2012

Format: Paperback

Nearly 15 years after the publish date, this work is as relevant today as ever. How are Jews to retain their Jewish identity if they no longer face the powerful enemies of the past to keep them together? Recent statistics show this has been a losing proposition. With assimilation being so easy, requiring merely inaction, what are they to hold on to? And most importantly, why? Does the Jewish way of life (very broadly defined) provide something positive that is not found in secular modernity? Dershowitz focuses on these questions and their possible answers as the central theme to this work. He doesn't have all the answers, but he does have many of the right questions.

Overall, I found this book incredibly fascinating and well written. It is clear, logical and packed with important information that needs to be heard. I feel right at home with his unapologetic (but not total) skepticism toward the Jewish God and unwavering interest in the Jewish people. I am equally drawn to his willingness to entertain theories from every corner of history and his elegant use of thought experiments to test their validity. Dershowitz does a great job of acknowledging his own beliefs while also giving voice to the diversity of other views. The book is not all serious and calculating, however, as it is peppered with humor and personal anecdotes throughout. Other reviewers have found these detracting and unoriginal, but for me (a young professional without an extensive knowledge of modern Judaica) they were illustrative, witty, and I often found myself jotting them down on notecards. This will be treasured most by giving to a friend.

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It recognizes the problem

June 21, 2005

Format: Paperback

This book is to be commended for recognizing a real problem. The American - Jewish community is declining in numbers. It is an aging community, one with high- rates of intermarriage, and low rates of fertility. It is a community which is an increasingly small percentage of American society as a whole.

Why is this important?

I think that there are two answers, one for Jews and another for American non- Jews.

Jewish communities have thrived in various places in the world, and then disappeared. The American Jewry community is an especially important one for the Jewish people historically especially in its relation to Israel and the Jewish people as a whole.

As for the second reason, I would maintain that for general American society the survival and thriving of an American- Jewish community is important because this community has made great contributions to American life in many different areas, and as on the whole been a great creative factor in the shaping of American civilization.

In considering the situation of American Jews it is necessary to understand that the challenges and character of American life are different from those that the Jews have known elsewhere. Only in America have Jews been given a kind of access and acceptance which in our own time means that there is virtually no discrimination against them. It is because America accepts the Jews, and adopts so much of what is Jewish as part of itself that assimilation happens so readily in the United States.

Clearly to preserve its own tradition and way the Jews of America have to ( This is Dershowitz's major recommendation) greatly increase the quality and quantity of Jewish education. Sadly most American Jews are very ignorant about their own traditions. And one encouraging element in American - Jewish life is the intense return to Jewish learning by a certain minority of the population.

Clearly learning to understand what the Jewish community and its history is , is central to preserving Jewish identity.

Another point. Since the publication of Dershowitz's book there has been a dramatic increase in world-wide anti-Semitism. This often takes the form of Anti- Zionism and is directed primarily against Israel.

American Jews have in the past played an important role in helping support the survival of Israel. Though support for Israel among the broad American public is relatively stable over the past forty years, and though there is massive Christian Evangelical support for Israel there is also now in the US a strong anti- Semitic, anti- Israel movement which combines Islamic fundamentalists, Palestinian Arab nationalists, those of the extreme right, and perhaps even more alarmingly , extreme left, politically.

A strong American Jewish community is an important element in ensuring an Israel which can survive in the future.

In this regard one additional element in strengthening Jewish young people's identity as Jews is through their traveling to and knowing Israel. The special 'Birthright' programs have attempted to do some of this.

Dershowitz surveys the problem, and shows his heart is in the right place.

His book is in this sense highly recommended. It should be supplemented however by the works of Jack Wertheimer, Sylvia Barack- Fishman, and others who consider this problem.

7 people found this helpful

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October 19, 2015

Format: Paperback

This book by a noted defense attorney presents a clear picture of the decreasing self-identity crisis among American Jews and indirectly points to the loss that will entail for American society in general. Though directed to a Jewish audience, it also imparts lessons of conscious for us all. Some parts tend to become a little tedious in reading but overall it is not at all difficult to follow. The author's utilization of Talmudic quotations and lessons along with some really funny Jewish humor really enlivens the book. This non-Jew is glad that he read it - it includes lessons of value for us all.

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Most recent customer reviews

Leah

Dershowitz is self-hating Jew

I started reading this book with great interest, but soon began to notice Dershowitz' insults towards observant Jews (calling them parochial, insular, ultra, quaint,...Read more

Published on January 3, 2013

EvieRN

Dershowitz's excuse for his "Vanishing" Jewish Connection

I was very disappointed on this poorly researched book on the future of Jews in America.
Dershowitz makes wildly outrageous, biased statements of religious leaders, basing...Read more

Published on October 20, 2012

JWD

A great read both for Jews and non-Jews

Book Review: The Vanishing American Jew

By: Alan M. Dershowitz

Review By: Joshua W. Delano

Alan M.Read more

Published on March 24, 2005

J. McAndrew

Interesting

Dershowitz conveys a genuine worry that Jewish people will lose their identity in the years to come.Read more

Published on August 14, 2004

Amazon Customer

A brilliant start, but doesn't tell the whole story.

Dershowitz's work is vital and important for all American Jews. In my own lifetime, I have witnessed the development of a demographic crisis within our community.Read more

Published on February 12, 2002

Amazon Customer

asked the right questions, but has the wrong answers

The author, accurate in his identification of the problems of Jewish assimilation, none the less cannot come to an answer that will in fact keep the Jews from vanishing.Read more

Published on October 30, 1999

A customer

Dershowitz on Jews is like Carl Rowan on black culture.

I found "The Vanishing American Jew" to be appalingly entertaining. As a non-Jew I found Dershowitz to be quite the racist.Read more

Published on September 2, 1999

A customer

Inspiring, goes to the heart of a crucial issue

While I could write a great deal about this important, and (I hope) influential book, and I don't agree with all of Mr.Read more

Published on December 7, 1998

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