The Way Into the Varieties of Jewishness (Way Into...)

Dr. Sylvia Barack Fishman helps us explore the religious and historical understanding of what it has meant to be Jewish from ancient times to the present controversy over ?Who is a Jew?? Beginning with the biblical period, this volume takes us period-by-period through Jewish history to reveal who the Jewish community included, and excluded, and discusses the fascinating range of historical conflicts that Jews have dealt with internally, including rationalists and ?Lithuanians against mystics and Hasidim, ? the Karaites, and Jews for Jesus. It will provide an understanding of how the Jewish people and faith developed, and of what the major religious differences are among Jewish movements today.

"Anyone who's befuddled by the differences among Jewish communities will appreciate this marvelous primer by Brandeis University professor Fishman. Before turning to the many expressions of Judaism found in America, she devotes the first two chapters to a useful summary of the history of Judaism in the ancient world and in Europe. Then she examines contemporary Judaism's three main branches — Reform, Conservative and Orthodox. Here she explores many fascinating trends, ranging from the rise of feminism in Modern Orthodox Judaism to the tensions between more and less observant Conservative Jews. Fishman also discusses Reconstructionist, Renewal and secular Judaism, and she spends an entire chapter on converts to Judaism ('Jews by choice'). Today's Jewish communities face challenges. Reform Judaism, for example, must balance some members' growing interest in traditional practices with the resistance of other congregants. Conservative Judaism struggles with self-definition and loses some members to Reform and Orthodox communities. But all in all, Fishman finds contemporary American Judaism having a renaissance, with more Jews of all stripes availing themselves of top-notch adult education and taking advantage of the constant publication of Jewish literature and scholarship. This is an excellent introduction to the diversity of Jewish life." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)