American Judaism: A History - Tapa blanda

"Sarna . . . has written the first systematic, comprehensive, and coherent history of Judaism in America; one so well executed, it is likely to set the standard for the next 50 years."-Jacob Neusner, Jerusalem Post "[An] outstanding survey. . . . A sweeping overview of the trials, tribulations and triumphs of American Jews from 1654 to the present. Sarna writes in sprightly prose. . . . Sarna [is] one of the great deans of American Judaism."-Publishers Weekly (starred review) Winner of the 2004 National Jewish Book Award, offered by the Jewish Book Council Selected by Publishers Weekly as a Best Book of 2004 in the Religion category Won Honorable Mention for the 2004 Professional/Scholarly Publishing Division Annual Award Competition in the Religion category Selected as a finalist for the 2005 Koret Jewish Book Awards in the History category Selected by Choice Magazine as an Outstanding Academic Title for 2005 "This astonishingly comprehensive and detailed history of American Jewish life offers a fascinating analysis of the complex effects of pluralism upon Jewish continuity. A major contribution to American religious history."-Albert J. Raboteau, Princeton University "Jonathan Sarna has written, what I personally believe, will be seen as the definitive book on American Judaism as we prepare to celebrate our 350th year in residence on these shores. We are at a point in this history when the American Jewish community is turning inward. We have come to realize it is time to reinvigorate and replenish our own community while still maintaining interest and support of our people throughout the world. In order to do this effectively we must know our story here in America, know how our vibrant and successful community was born and grew to its current heights. Dr. Sarna has given us the tool we need."-Carolyn Hessel, The Jewish Book Council "Jonathan Sarna has concisely and brilliantly interpreted the history of Judaism in America from its marginal beginnings in the seventeenth century to its central mission of preserving Jewish faith and traditions during the era of the European Holocaust and on to the postwar challenge of intermarriage and assimilation. With great sensitivity and open-mindedness, Sarna traces the effects of Judaism on the larger society as well as the revolutionary transformations within Judaism itself-on spiritual as well as worldly levels."-David Brion Davis, author of Challenging the Boundaries of Slavery, Harvard University Press "American Judaism providesa comprehensive and insightful portrait of the American Jewish experience. Sarna is magisterial as well as accessible in this work, and American Judaism willserve as the standard book in the field. American Judaism indicates why Sarna has earned his reputation as the premiere American Jewish historian of his generation!"-David Ellenson, President Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion "This book is long overdue. There is no person more qualified than Jonathan Sarna to give us a fresh, important, and provocative perspective on American Judaism. In American Judaism: A New History hehas given us precisely that. We are the better for it."-Deborah E. Lipstadt, Ph.D., Emory University

This magisterial work chronicles the 350-year history of the Jewish religion in America. Tracing American Judaism from its origins in the colonial era through the present day, Jonathan Sarna explores the ways in which Judaism adapted in this new context. How did American culture-predominantly Protestant and overwhelmingly capitalist-affect Jewish religion and culture? And how did American Jews shape their own communities and faith in the new world? Jonathan Sarna, a preeminent scholar of American Judaism, tells the story of individuals struggling to remain Jewish while also becoming American. He offers a dynamic and timely history of assimilation and revitalization, of faith lost and faith regained. The first comprehensive history of American Judaism in over fifty years, this book is both a celebration of 350 years of Jewish life in America and essential reading for anyone interested in American religion and life.