Religion and State in the American Jewish Experience

David G Dalin author Jonathan D Sarna author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:University of Notre Dame Press

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Religion and State in the American Jewish Experience cover

For the first time, Religion and State in the American Jewish Experience makes available critical documents which have shaped debate over religion and state issues throughout the course of American Jewish history. Following a comprehensive historical introduction, Professors Sarna and Dalin present a wide range of primary source materials articulating the different positions held within the American Jewish community on numerous past and present church-state issues: including former state Sunday Laws, or "blue laws"; dress code variations for Orthodox Jews in the military; kosher food for Jewish prisoners; school prayer; public displays of religious symbols; and whether all religious symbols should be removed from public arenas.

The chapters proceed chronologically, from the colonial period to the present day, giving readers an understanding of the changes that occurred over several centuries. This book recovers the divergent voices and opinions of the American Jewish community, revealing that one single voice on these issues has never been capable of accommodating the rich variety of positions within the community. By gathering these divergent outlooks in one sourcebook, Sarna and Dalin offer a unique and well-documented look at a major aspect of being Jewish in America.

Religion and State in the American Jewish Experience justifies itself as offering a fresh view on how American Jews have situated themselves on the emotional issues surrounding church-state relations in the United States.” —Journal of Church and State

ISBN: 9780268016562

Dimensions: 229mm x 152mm x 18mm

Weight: 464g

346 pages