American Jewish History: A Primary Source Reader

Brandeis Series in American Jewish History, Culture, and Life

by Gary Phillip Zola (Editor), Marc Dollinger (Editor)

Presenting the American Jewish historical experience from its communal beginnings to the present through documents, photographs, and other illustrations, many of which have never before been published, this entirely new collection of source materials complements existing textbooks on American Jewish history with an organization and pedagogy that reflect the latest historiographical trends and the most creative teaching approaches. Ten chapters, organized chronologically, include source materials that highlight the major thematic questions of each era and tell many stories about what it was like to immigrate and acculturate to American life, practice different forms of Judaism, engage with the larger political, economic, and social cultures that surrounded American Jews, and offer assistance to Jews in need around the world. At the beginning of each chapter, the editors provide a brief historical overview highlighting some of the most important developments in both American and American Jewish history during that particular era. Source materials in the collection are preceded by short headnotes that orient readers to the documents’ historical context and significance.

478 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2014

Reviews

[Zeb Kantrowitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a different type of reference book in that none of it is narrative or essay by the authors. Instead what is presented is documents (usually letters), photographs, newspaper stories, government statements and promulgated laws from the beginning of Jewish life in New Amsterdam up to the present time.
There are ten chapters that follow from the colonial period to the present and are:

1)Creating Community..during the Colonial Period, 1654-1776
2)Forging a Nation..early National Period, 1776-1820
3)Migrations across America,1820-1860
4)Slavery and Freedom, 1861-1879
5)The Gilded Age and Progressive Era, 1880-1918
6) ..Between the Wars, 1918-1941
7)Waging War..The Shoah, 1941-1945
8)American Jewish Life, 1945-1965
9)Turning Inward, 1965-1980
10) Contemporary America, since 1980- (2013)

Each chapter begins with a brief historical overview discussion what the editors consider the important developments in both American and American Jewish Life during that time frame. Where necessary each citation comes with an explanation of what situation brought about the included citation. Chapters are all divided in subheadings (but not every chapter has the same subheadings) such as religion, immigration, popular culture, government, politics, civic status, family life, antisemitism, business and labor.

This is a great resource to be kept in a home or Temple Torah school.

Zeb Kantrowitz zworstblog.blogspot.com

[Erika Dreifus]

Please see my mention at http://www.jewishjournal.com/culture/....

[Rachel Bernstein]

Read for my Jewish Nation class for Freshman year!