Futurity

New edition of ‘American Judaism’ reflects recent history

The textbook "American Judaism," first published in 2004, has a new edition featuring updates regarding identity, politics, and a "national religious recession."
person reading Torah - American Judaism

A new edition of the authoritative textbook on American Judaism features updates on identity, politics, and the role of religion in culture.

Published in 2004, historian Jonathan Sarna’s American Judaism (Yale University Press) was praised as “the single best description of American Judaism during its 350 years on American soil.”

This year, its second edition brings the story of American Judaism up to the present, analyzing the latest demographic and societal trends and offering new insights concerning present-day and future developments.

“Jews witness two contradictory trends operating in their community: assimilation and revitalization,” Sarna writes in the book’s conclusion. “Which will predominate, and what the future holds, nobody knows. That will be determined day by day, community by community, Jew by Jew.”

Sarna, professor of American Jewish history at Brandeis University, answers questions about the new edition:

The post New edition of ‘American Judaism’ reflects recent history appeared first on Futurity.

More from Futurity

Futurity3 min read
Young Heavy Drinkers Cut Alcohol Use During Pandemic
A new study finds heavy-drinking young adults decreased alcohol intake during the pandemic. The researchers found alcohol use and alcohol-related problems substantially decreased in heavy-drinking young adults during the pandemic, and these decreases
Futurity4 min read
Alzheimer’s Moves Faster In People With Down Syndrome
A new study shows that Alzheimer’s disease both starts earlier and moves faster in people with Down syndrome, The finding may have important implications for the treatment and care of this vulnerable group of patients. Nearly all adults with Down syn
Futurity5 min read
Why Saber Tooth Cats Kept Their Baby Teeth
Analysis suggests the baby teeth of saber tooth cats stayed in place for years to stabilize the growing permanent saber tooth, perhaps allowing adolescents to learn how to hunt without breaking them. The fearsome, saber-like teeth of Smilodon fatalis

Related Books & Audiobooks