In 1965 social scientist Charles S. Liebman published a study that boldly declared the vitality of American Jewish Orthodoxy and went on to guide scholarly investigations of the group for the next four decades. As American Orthodoxy continues to grow in geographical; institutional; and political strength; author Adam S. Ferziger argues in Beyond Sectarianism: The Realignment of American Orthodox Judaism that one of Liebman's principal definitions needs to be updated. While Liebman proposed that the "committed Orthodox" -observant rather than nominally affiliated-could be divided into two main streams: "church;" or Modern Orthodoxy; and "sectarian;" or Haredi Orthodoxy; Ferziger traces a narrowing of the gap between them and ultimately a realignment of American Orthodox Judaism. Ferziger shows that significant elements within Haredi Orthodoxy have abandoned certain strict and seemingly uncontested norms. He begins by offering fresh insight into the division between the American sectarian Orthodox and Modern Orthodox streams that developed in the early twentieth century and highlights New York's Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun as a pioneering Modern Orthodox synagogue. Ferziger also considers the nuances of American Orthodoxy as reflected in Soviet Jewish activism during the 1960s and early 1970s and educational trips to Poland taken by American Orthodox young adults studying in Israel; and explores the responses of prominent rabbinical authorities to Orthodox feminism and its call for expanded public religious roles for women. Considerable discussion is dedicated to the emergence of outreach to nonobservant Jews as a central priority for Haredi Orthodoxy and how this focus outside its core population reflects fundamental changes. In this context; Ferziger presents evidence for the growing influence of Chabad Hasidism - what he terms the "Chabadization of American Orthodoxy." Recent studies; including the 2013 Pew Survey of U.S. Jewry; demonstrate that an active and strongly connected American Orthodox Jewish population is poised to grow in the coming decades. Jewish studies scholars and readers interested in history; sociology; and religion will appreciate Ferziger's reappraisal of this important group.
#886062 in Books University of Virginia Press 2012-02-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.30 x .90 x 6.10l; .95 #File Name: 0813932238384 pages
Review
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Slavery but also the time after slavery -By M. JamesActually; this book is about more than slavery but also the generations afterward and what became of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemming's descendants or supposed descendants because no one will ever know for sure. Given how men tend to be; I think that although Jefferson did not believe the two races should "mingle" he did quite a bit of "mingling" with Sally Hemmings. I was disappointed to read how ordinary Jefferson was as a plantation owner and while he may have had innovative ideas about farming; he seemed to be the typical slave owner - no better nor worse. But he did provide a lot of specific training for his slaves which they found useful when they were free and many continued on in the same trade they had learned in slavery - often from highly successful professionals and artists. They would not have had exposure to these elite folks without Thomas Jefferson. In any case I found the book highly readable and very interesting and would like to know more. Which is the sign of a good book!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Jefferson has had a good reputation and in meanwhile using slaves to get richBy Customerwhat an awful business man;I bought 2 books about him ....Jefferson has had a good reputation and in meanwhile using slaves to get rich;scandalous0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Sandra Nunez KalarovichGreat read
