Synopses & Reviews
Winner, The New York Public Library, Best of Reference Award, 2002
New York University Press is proud to announce the return of a valuable resource for both Jewish families and those interested in learning more about the Jewish faith. The New Encyclopedia of Judaism is a comprehensive one-volume encyclopedia that accessibly presents every aspect of the Jewish religion and represents current thinking among scholars in the Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox movements.
The original version of the encyclopedia was selected by the American Library Association as an Outstanding Reference Book. This revised and expanded edition updates the original thousand entries and adds nearly 250 new ones. Magnificently illustrated, it also contains a new introduction, a guide for usage, new illustrations, as well as a new annotated bibliography. Its compilation was overseen by the late Geoffrey Wigoder, best known as the Editor-in-chief of the Encyclopedia Judaica.
The articles cover a vast spectrum of topics. There are biographical entries on biblical figures, rabbis, and others whose thoughts and actions have influenced the development of Judaism. Also included are dozens of insightful commentaries on specific prayers. Issues of particular contemporary interest are given special attention, as are women's roles, with a separate entry on the feminist movement and new biographical entries on figures ranging from Miriam and Deborah to Blu Greenberg and Suzannah Heschel. Particularly emphasized are the customs and folk traditions of Jewish outposts the world over.
Authoritative and accessible, The New Encyclopedia of Judaism fulfills the promise of the first edition and serves as a standard one-volume Jewish reference work for the new millennium. It is an ideal reference for every Jewish household and synagogue library.
Review
"Recognizing that Judaism is not just a systematic presentation of beliefs or the codification of abstract theological thought, this volume presents a very intimate portrait of [the Jewish] tradition...accessible and authoritative." - Booklist, starred review
Review
"I am delighted to learn that this volume is back in print. It will make a mountain of valuable information accessible to the average person, and that is a blessing for us all." - Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People
Review
"The expansiveness and broad perspectives of this encyclopedia will lead us to rethink what we mean when we refer to Judaism. Rich in detail, thoughtfully conceived, and authoritative, this encyclopedia will be the standard contemporary reference work." - Jehuda Reinharz, Richard Koret Professor of Modern Jewish History and President, Brandeis University
"The publication of a new Jewish encyclopedia is an important event that warrants acclaim and celebration." - Jewish Advocate< "i="" am="" delighted="" to="" learn="" that="" this="" volume="" is="" back="" in="" print.="" it="" will="" make="" a="" mountain="" of="" valuable="" information="" accessible="" to="" the="" average="" person,="" and="" that="" is="" a="" blessing="" for="" us="" all."="" -="" rabbi="" harold="" kushner,="" author="" of="">When Bad Things Happen to Good People "A work of exceedingly broad scope . . . of vast but unassuming erudition. The New Encyclopedia of Judaism is balanced, fluent, and laconic. Both old and young, the scholar and the novice, can dip into it. Any librarybe it home, school, or organizationwill benefit from this sumptuously illustrated volume." - The Jewish Press "Recognizing that Judaism is not just a systematic presentation of beliefs or the codification of abstract theological thought, this volume presents a very intimate portrait of [the Jewish] tradition...accessible and authoritative." - Booklist, starred review
Review
"I am delighted to learn that this volume is back in print. It will make a mountain of valuable information accessible to the average person, and that is a blessing for us all."
- Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People
Review
"A work of exceedingly broad scope . . . of vast but unassuming erudition. The New Encyclopedia of Judaism is balanced, fluent, and laconic. Both old and young, the scholar and the novice, can dip into it. Any librarybe it home, school, or organizationwill benefit from this sumptuously illustrated volume." - The Jewish Press
Review
"This thoughtfully conceived, insightful, and authoritative work will serve as the standard one-volume comprehensive Jewish reference work as we enter the new millenium...an essential purchase for all public libraries, synagogue libraries, and special collections of Judaica. Jewish families will also benefit by having this work on hand for household use."
"Wonderful reference book."
"...a good work has been made even better." p>"Comprehensive coverage of many subjects and its other useful features combine to make this volume one that should be in all Jewish homes."
"The expansiveness and broad perspectives of this encyclopedia will lead us to rethink what we mean when we refer to Judaism. Rich in detail, thoughtfully conceived, and authoritative, this encyclopedia will be the standard contemporary reference work."
Synopsis
Are women still oppressed? Is paid employment the key to liberation? Should pornography be banned? Do women have an absolute right to abortion? Can women in government really make a difference?
In this comprehensive study, Valerie Bryson draws on a wide range of theoretical, empirical and comparative material to provide a lucid account of feminist debates and the ways in which political disagreements stem from underlying theoretical assumptions. By disentangling questions of style and strategy from more profound disagreements, Bryson points the way to more effective forms of feminist political practice.
Feminist Debates provides analysis of the situation of women in western societies, and examines women's participation in the workplace, the changing structure of the family, the extent of male violence against women, the development of reproductive technology, the political representation of women, and the role of the law in maintaining and challenging gender inequalities.
Clear and balanced in its assessment of various problems and perspectives, Feminist Debates: Issues of Theory and Political Practice offers an essential guide to contemporary feminist thinking and practice.
About the Author
Valerie Bryson is Senior Lecturer in Politics at Huddersfield University and author of
Feminist Political Theory: An Introduction.
Shmuel Himelstein is the author of The Jewish Primer: Questions and Answers on Jewish Faith and Culture.