The urban origins of American Judaism began with daily experiences of Jews; their responses to opportunities for social and physical mobility as well as constraints of discrimination and prejudice. Deborah Dash Moore explores Jewish participation in American cities and considers the implications of urban living for American Jews across three centuries. Looking at synagogues; streets; and snapshots; she contends that key features of American Judaism can be understood as an imaginative product grounded in urban potentials.Jews signaled their collective urban presence through synagogue construction; which represented Judaism on the civic stage. Synagogues housed Judaism in action; its rituals; liturgies; and community; while simultaneously demonstrating how Jews Judaized other aspects of their collective life; including study; education; recreation; sociability; and politics. Synagogues expressed aesthetic aspirations and translated Jewish spiritual desires into brick and mortar. Their changing architecture reflects shifting values among American Jews.Concentrations of Jews in cities also allowed for development of public religious practices that ranged from weekly shopping for the Sabbath to exuberant dancing in the streets with Torah scrolls on the holiday of Simhat Torah. Jewish engagement with city streets also reflected Jewish responses to Catholic religious practices that temporarily transformed streets into sacred spaces. This activity amplified an urban Jewish presence and provided vital contexts for synagogue life; as seen in the captivating photographs Moore analyzes.
#3375496 in Books University of Georgia Press 2004-06Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 .90 x 6.48 x 9.16l; 1.05 #File Name: 0820325902232 pages
Review
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. not to be confused with a biographyBy A CustomerIf you are hungry for information on "Tiger" Flowers only beprepared for a snack. The actual information concerning Mr. Flowers if put back to back probably covers 15 pages.2 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Andrew M. Kaye lands a knock-out!!By A CustomerIt was worth the wait!In this well-written and carefully researched work; we finally have a full; no-holds-barred account of the enthralling story--at once gritty and heart-touching--of one of the most remarkable athletes; black or white; of the early 20th-century. It's a measure of Kaye's talents that; in the process of telling this compelling story; he also richly illuminates the time and place in which Flowers lived and fought. Highly recommend for anyone interested in sports history; Southern history; or American history.3 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Poor TigerBy StephenI have always been a fan of Tiger Flowers. I was intrigued by stories of him as a child. I must say as a social history and/or biography of Flowers this book is a complete flop. I was lucky enough to purchase a rare copy of Flowers biography published in 1928 by Edney and Flowers' widow. The book leaves much to be desired; a contention which Mr. Kaye agrees with. Interestingly; despite this fact Mr. Kaye seems to use the Edney book as his major source for Flowers life. It would have been nice to have had a hometown heros life done in a more concise fashion. Sadly; Flowers legacy seems as neglected today; after the publication of this book; as it was before hand. Poor Tiger.
