Judaism in America (Columbia Contemporary American Religion Series) Book

Jews are a people, a nationality, an ethnic group, and a religion. There are Jews who do not affirm Judaism. Only half of America´s Jews identify themselves as religious and less than half are synagogue members. This book is about the beliefs, doctrines, history, institutions, and leaders of the Jewish religious community. It is based on historical evidence as well as interviews and direct observation of about 100 synagogues. Thus the book draws on history but also anthropology, sociology, intellectual thought, and religious studies to present a full portrait of a religious tradition that comprises only two percent of America´s population but has a large influence on American culture. The book begins with a chapter on beliefs, festivals, and life-cycle events, both traditional and non-traditional, and an explanation of the enormous variation in practice. Raphael then covers Jewish history in America, from the arrival of the first Jews about 350 years ago to the present, highlighting the emergence of the four branches: Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, and Reform. After documenting the enormous variation among the branches, the book turns to contentious issues, notably spirituality, conversion, homosexuality, Jewish education, synagogue architecture, and the relationship to Israel. A chapter focuses on the return to tradition in every branch of Judaism, and, finally the book examines prospects for the future.Read More