Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Watershed events_including the second Palestinian uprising in 2000, September 11, 2001 and the Iraq war_have created important new challenges for American Jewry. The introductory essay and interviews with 17 prominent American Jews explore these. Major elements of American Jewry's changing mind-set relate to Israel. Others concern attitudes toward Evangelical Christians and Muslims as well as increased anxiety about anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism. These, mainly political, challenges are superimposed on the structural problems of American Jewry.
Synopsis
Watershed events - including the second Palestinian uprising in 2000, September 11 2001 and the Iraq war - have created major challenges for American Jewry, leading to changes in its perceptions and environment. Through conversations with some of America's most influential Jewish leaders, Manfred Gerstenfeld sheds light on the how the tumultuous events of recent years have affected and will continue to influence the American Jewish population. These include issues surrounding education, assimilation and revitalization, relationships with other religious communities, anti-Semitism and generational change. Of enormous historical value, American Jewry's Challenge serves as a time capsule capturing American Jewry at the dawn of the 21st century.