The Chosen People in America: A Study in Jewish Religious IdeologyIndiana University Press, 1983 M11 22 - 237 pages An exploration of how American Jewish thinkers grapple with the notion of being the isolated “Chosen People” in a nation that is a melting pot. What does it mean to be a Jew in America? What opportunities and what threats does the great melting pot represent for a group that has traditionally defined itself as “a people that must dwell alone?” Although for centuries the notion of “The Chosen People” sustained Jewish identity, America, by offering Jewish immigrants an unprecedented degree of participation in the larger society, threatened to erode their Jewish identity and sense of separateness. Arnold M. Eisen charts the attempts of American Jewish thinkers to adapt the notion of chosenness to an American context. Through an examination of sermons, essays, debates, prayer-book revisions, and theological literature, Eisen traces the ways in which American rabbis and theologians—Reconstructionist, Conservative, and Orthodox thinkers—effected a compromise between exclusivity and participation that allowed Jews to adapt to American life while simultaneously enhancing Jewish tradition and identity. “This is a book of extraordinary quality and importance. In tracing the encounter of Jews (the chosen people) and America (the chosen nation) . . . Eisen has given the American Jewish community a new understanding of itself.” —American Jewish Archives “One of the most significant books on American Jewish thought written in recent years.” —Choice |
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The Chosen People in America: A Study in Jewish Religious Ideology Arnold M. Eisen No preview available - 1983 |
The Chosen People in America: A Study in Jewish Religious Ideology Arnold M. Eisen No preview available - 1983 |
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Abba Hillel Silver achieved affirmation American Jewish American Jews American Judaism anti-Semitism argued belief Borowitz called CCAR CCYB centuries Christian civil religion claim Cohon Columbus Platform concept congregants Conservative Judaism covenant criticism culture debate democracy destiny divine doctrine Emil Fackenheim essay ethical Eugene Borowitz exile existence Fackenheim faith Finkelstein gentile God's Gordis Greenberg halakhah Hebrew Herberg Horace human Ibid idea of election ideals ideology immigrant intellectuals Israel Israel's chosenness Israel's mission issue Jacob Jewish community Jewish History Jewish identity Jewish mission Jewish Theology Jewish thinkers Jewish thought Jewish tradition Jewry Kallen Liebman live meaning Milton Steinberg modern moral Mordecai Kaplan Morgenstern movement nations Orthodox particular Press problem prophets question Rabbinical Assembly rabbis Reconstructionism Reconstructionist Reform Judaism Reform rabbis reinterpretation religious revelation rhetoric role salvation secular segulah Seminary sense sermons Sinai Sklare social Soloveitchik spiritual survival symbols synagogue theologians tion Torah UAHC unique University vocation words York Zionism
Popular passages
Page 15 - Behold my servant, whom I uphold ; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth ; I have put my spirit upon him : he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
Page 15 - Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.