The Jew in the Modern World: A Documentary History

The Jew in the Modern World: A Documentary History

The last two centuries have witnessed a radical transformation of Jewish life. Marked by such profound events as the Holocaust and the establishment of the state of Israel, Judaism's long journey through the modern age has been a complex and tumultuous one, leading many Jews to ask themselves not only where they have been and where they are going, but what it means to be a Jew in today's world. Tracing the Jewish experience in the modern period and illustrating the transformation of Jewish religion, culture, and identity from the 17th century to 1948, the updated edition of this critically acclaimed volume of primary materials remains the most complete sourcebook on modern Jewish history. Now expanded to supplement the most vital documents of the first edition, The Jew in the Modern World features hitherto unpublished and inaccessible sources concerning the Jewish experience in Eastern Europe, women in Jewish history, American Jewish life, the Holocaust, and Zionism and the nascent Jewish community in Palestine on the eve of the establishment of the State of Israel. The documents are arranged chronologically in each of eleven chapters and are meticulously and extensively annotated and cross-referenced in order to provide the student with ready access to a wide variety of issues, key historical figures, and events. Complete with some twenty useful tables detailing Jewish demographic trends, this is a unique resource for any course in Jewish history, Zionism and Israel, the Holocaust, or European and American history. "A superb collection--my favorite since it was first published."--Joan Friedman, Colgate University "An indispensable text in teaching modern Jewish history."--Prof. Abrolonski, Brandeis University "An unparalleled and superbly edited collection of primary sources on Jewish thought and history in the modern period. It immeasurably enhances my course on Modern Jewish Thought."--David Ellenson, Hebrew Union College "Mendes-Flohr and Reinharz have filled a gap in Jewish scholarship. One would have to research libraries around the world to find what they have placed in our hands."--Daniel Evearitt, Toccoa Falls College "As a Christian academically trained under largely Jewish scholars, I find this work to be extremely helpful in building cultural and theological bridges between the respective communities. Its breadth and comprehensiveness are remarkable."--Eugene Merrill, Dallas Theological Seminary Paul Mendes-Flohr is at Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Jehuda Reinharz is at Brandeis University.