Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Wertheimer (A People Divided), a history professor at Jewish Theological Seminary, offers a comprehensive, balanced survey of the state of American Judaisms. His analysis puts trends in the broader context of early-21st-century skepticism about the value of religious participation. As with other religions in the U.S., Judaism has "suffered declining numbers of adherents and flagging observance," but Wertheimer uses his years of study of the issue-which include interviews with about 200 rabbis and scholars-to probe whether it's more significant that fewer Jews attend services, or that those who do are more engaged. His emphasis on "the lives on ordinary Jews in their local communities rather than the preoccupations of the elites at a far geographic remove" enables him to illuminate the gap between what is preached and what is practiced, as with Orthodox congregations whose members' adherence to dietary restrictions is less stringent than their rabbis believe. Wertheimer reviews the pros and cons of the current approaches of the major Jewish denominations, as well as the innovative services and means of observance that have sprung up outside those formal organizations. This is an essential volume for anyone interested in modern religion in general, and the future of the Jewish people in particular. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Review by Library Journal Review
Drawing on Pew Research Center data that indicates a general decrease in U.S. religiosity, Wertheimer (Jewish Theological Seminary) compares and contrasts the religious lives of American Jews to this national "religious recession" and traces the religious activities of contemporary American Jews. In addition to previous research, Wertheimer primarily relies on interviews conducted with 160 rabbis across the country. Issues that surfaced in these conversations include reduced levels of Jewish literacy, particularly in non-Orthodox congregations, as well as the desire for an individualized religious experience, potentially leading to fragmentation and diminished allegiance to the community. In addition, Wertheimer addresses how different denominations grapple with major social issues, such as the inclusion of women in leadership roles and LGBTQ members and welcoming increasing numbers of intermarried families. VERDICT This work will appeal to readers in search of a scholarly yet accessible cross-denominational study of the practices of contemporary American Jews. For an introduction/history of American Judaism, readers should consult an alternative text, such as Jonathan Sarna's American Judaism: A History.-Amanda Folk, Ohio State Univ. Libs. © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
An authority on American Judaism returns with a comprehensive reportdescriptive, analytical, predictiveon today's Jewish religious practices.Wertheimer (American Jewish History/Jewish Theological Seminary; The New Jewish Leaders: Reshaping the American Jewish Landscape, 2011, etc.) bases this work on numerous interviews with practicing rabbis, members of synagogues, and others, as well as his comprehensive scholarship in the field (he includes more than 90 pages of notes at the end of the book). Maintaining a neutral tone throughouthe neither attacks nor excessively praisesWertheimer surveys the broad range of practice currently available, from Orthodox to Conservative to Reform to just about every other form (some of the less conventional he calls "Pop Ups"). He also notes troubling trends: declining attendance, an aging population of those who do attend, the fierce competition of cultural clutter (the internet, social media, etc.). He describes how some synagogues are modifying their approaches, trying to accommodate the young and the uncertain, offering more music, bountiful offerings of food, and "looser" behavior in the services. He examines the difficulties of inclusion of interfaith married families, of the LGBTQ community, and of women, who, of course, were long denied principal roles in synagogue activities. The author also shows how Orthodox groups, especially, are working hard to attract more people to the synagogue, and he shows us what is a surprising Jewish presence at such cultural events as Burning Man. In a similar vein, he points out the struggles that Christian congregations are having with many of the same issues. As membership in the traditional denominations declines, Christians have turned in ever greater numbers to less conventional congregations. Wertheimer's style is straightforward and highly organized (bullet lists are common), and he ends with some glances into an uncertain future as our culture becomes increasingly secular and self-absorbed.A frank and grave analysis that at times trembles with concern and worry. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
