Jews are part and parcel of American history. From colonial port cities to frontier outposts; from commercial and manufacturing centers to rural villages; and from metropolitan regions to constructed communities; Jews are found everywhere and throughout four centuries of American history. From the early 17th century to the present; the story of American Jews has been one of immigration; adjustment; and accomplishment; sometimes in the face of prejudice and discrimination. This; then; is a narrative of minority-majority relations; of evolving norms and traditions; of ongoing conversations about community and culture; identity and meaning.Interpreting American Jewish History at Museums and Historic Sites begins with a broad overview of American Jewish history in the context of a religious culture than extends back more than 3;000 years and which manifests itself in a variety of distinctive American forms. This is followed by five chapters; each looking at a major theme in American Jewish history: movement; home life; community; prejudice; and culture. The book also describes and analyzes projects by history organizations; large and small; to interpret American Jewish life for general public audiences. These case studies cover a wide range of themes; approaches; formats. The book concludes with a history of Jewish collections and Jewish museums in North America and a chapter on “next practice†that promote adaptive thinking; continuous innovation; and programs that are responsive to ever-changing circumstances.
#3405785 in Books Rowman Littlefield Publishers 2013-06-20Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.23 x .70 x 6.23l; .0 #File Name: 1442221070172 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Important Research: "Religion; Politics; and Polarization" comments by Jacqueline SchererBy Ralph SchererIn spite of their overlong title; Religion; Politics; and Polarization: How Religiopolitical Conflict is Changing Congress and American Democracy; D'Antonio; Tuch; and Baker do an excellent job of making their point. The religious views of elected officials are important factors in their political choices. Based upon a critical examination of Congressional voting records and other data viewed over thirty years; they document the increase in rigid voting patterns. Republicans have not supported social welfare measures except those related to abortion and reproductive rights. Democrats; in contrast; have promoted programs to reduce inequality; reflecting more dynamic views of change. The researchers then argue that religious values as reflected in different denominations are important components in this mix. Conservative churches have a powerful impact on Republican legislators. In this sobering analysis they illustrate how religion has played a significant role in the rise of political polarization and will continue to be a key factor in the decisions of Congress in the future.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Praise for "Religion; Politics; and Polarization"By Charles N. DavisReview of the book: "Religion; Politics; and Polarization"If you have wondered why our Congress is gridlocked - and will likely to remain so for the for-seeable future - this book shows why.The authors point out that it goes back to a split in the country as to a religious worldview. "Much scholarly attention has been devoted to the polarization resulting from the culture wars resulting from the culture wars that presumably wracked the country during the latter part of the twentieth century and the early years of the twenty-first century. According to proponents of the culture wars thesis; conflict over such moral issues as abortion; homosexuality; affirmative action; and school prayer have become so divisive and intractable that compromise between factions was rendered difficult; if not impossible to achieve" [p.8].They quote James Davison Hunter's 1991 book "Culture Wars: the Struggle to define America." Hunter argued that the divisions caused by issues like abortion reflected opposing ideological visions of the "good society.""On the one hand; the good society was seen as grounded in an orthodox; transcendent understanding of the world; based on God-ordained fundamental beliefs; values; and norms. People simply have to obey the laws God has given them; found in the books like the Bible; where God's words are to be understood literally and accepted as inerrant."On the other hand; a progressive view of the good society sees life as unfolding and truth to be sought through science and reason. This view does not necessarily deny the existence of God so much as it affirms the capacity of human beings to create their own moral codes based on reason and lived experience as well as scripture; tradition and history" [p.8].All of this carries over to those who are elected to Congress. The authors quote John Danforth who; in his 2006 book; wrote: "Christian conservatives believe that God's will can be reduced to a political program; and that they have done so. In their own minds; there is indeed a Christian agenda for America; and in recent years; they have succeeded in pressing it on the Republican Party. It is an agenda composed of wedge issues which hammered relentlessly in political forums; divide the American people."The authors break down the religious beliefs of the members of Congress and show that most Democrats are white Catholics and Jews - who have been the most liberal in their voting ideology -- as well as blacks and Hispanics.On the other hand; while there used to be a strong contingent of moderate white Republicans; the party is now primarily conservative white Protestants as they have replaced moderates with pro-life candidates.The main issues separating the parties are taxes; defense spending; and welfare but the defining one is abortion - and "it was this polarization in Congress that led to polarization within the general public" [p. 125].The authors say their findings suggest: "that as long as the Republican Party in the House [of Representatives] is dominated by Evangelicals; Conservative Catholics; and Mormans; polarization will exceed that of the general public. . .the Republicans have managed to selectively pick candidates that reflect their ideological positions rather than those of the general public" [p. 128].In my view this was all in play in the 2013 effort to shut down the government over the Affordable Care Act and will continue to play out for the near future.Charles N. Davis2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The values of the Democrats are also rooted in a religious tradition.By Steve Buff; Ph.D.The received wisdom is that America is largely secularized and religion; therefore; has had little effect on politics but William D’Antonio; Steven Tuch and Josiah Baker “fill a gaping hole in the … literature†and clearly put this notion to rest. In a model of social science inquiry; they rigorously confirm studies that religion is; indeed; a significant cause of polarization among politicians; in Congress and among the voting public.The authors first provide a concise history of the beliefs; values; and attitudes of religious groups that have dominated the U.S. Congress for two centuries. They then systematically follow the voting patterns of four major groups—Mainline (Moderate and Liberal) Protestants; Conservative Protestants; Catholics (both Moderate and Conservative) and Jews—and their changing composition in Congress since 1959-60.Mainline Protestants (with their moderate orientations) declined in numbers from 64 seats in 1959-60 to 38 seats in 2010; and this decline was matched by an increase in the representation of Catholics; Baptists; and Jews. By 2010; the ranks of Conservative Protestant and Catholic Republicans were a significant part of the Republican caucus.The authors devote an incisive chapter to abortion: an iconic issue in the culture wars. In the tumultuous debate over the Affordable Care Act; insurance to cover abortions was banned by the Bart Stupak (D-MI) Amendment and while this forced compromise paved the way for the eventual passage of the Act; this battle magnified the Act’s significant unpopularity. As is well-known; the Catholic Bishops and Evangelicals made abortion a non-negotiable issue and strongly supported Stupak’s Amendment. However; staunch support by the Catholic Health Association; yeoman organizing by women religious nationwide; and support of Catholic Democrats helped turn the tide in favor the Affordable Care Act. Clearly; religion influenced political decision-making in this piece of legislation.This review can only touch on the range of resourceful methods by which the authors approach the influence of religion on politics. D’Antonio and colleagues analyze the degree of polarization in the most voted-on issues over 50 years—defense; welfare; and taxes—and find various forms of polarization involving numerous denominations. In another contribution; Steven Tuch and Alyx Marx aggregated all roll call votes between 1969-2010 to see if the impact of religion extends beyond the aforementioned contentious issues. According to their regression analysis; it does. They also note that over the last four decades; Conservative Protestant religious denominations increased their representation in the Republican Party while their numbers in the Democratic Party declined—a telling contributing factor to polarization between the parties. * * * * * * * *The Democrats; when compared to the Republicans; are thought; incorrectly; to be a more secular Party. But the Democrats also have their values and world-view rooted in a religious tradition. In a jewel of an insight; D’Antonio and his colleagues explain that the Democrats are heirs to the Enlightenment; but; less known and acknowledged; are also influenced by the great Abrahamic tradition that spans and unites the beliefs and values of Jews; Christians and Muslims. This tradition teaches; for instance; that Abraham did not turn his back on the stranger. In the course of more than two thousand years; this precept has come to invite caring; healing; and reaching out to as well as thinking about the needs of others.The Abrahamic tradition also once existed within the Republican Party (in part due to the influence the Social Gospel teachings adhered to by many Mainline Protestants) but was eclipsed in the Reagan years by the doctrinal denial of any need for ameliorative social initiatives.The authors argue that the tradition is grounded so strongly in the Democratic Party that its influence does not depend on the degree to which people consciously think of it in those terms. (Thus; it helps explain why those Democrats with no stated religious commitment; or Hindus or Buddhists; are; nonetheless; also working within this grounded and pervasive tradition.) In a larger sense; it is part of a tradition that sees the social side of our being as much as or more than our individual side; and it also resonates with the Enlightenment and growth of scientific thinking. The Abrahamic tradition asks one to consider the needs of the other; and by extension; of the society and the nation. Indeed; this tradition contrasts strongly with the radical form of individualism that has risen among Republicans that denigrates the role of government; the quest for community; and even the “common good.â€This concise; well-written and creative work clearly explicates the religious commitments of the two main political parties. Some of those commitments and traditions; however; exist beneath the surface. The Democrats hold the Abrahamic religious precepts discussed above; the values of reason and compromise; and a deep commitment to the commonweal. (The attenuation of similar qualities on the Republican side is notable.) Perhaps these appealing and vital Democratic values; that the authors reveal; should be acknowledged; disseminated and celebrated to aid in breaking the logjam of polarization.Stephen A. Buff; Ph.D.
