Yearning to Breathe Free

New perspectives from leading scholars on a defining age in American Jewish history

The thematic essays in Yearning to Breathe Free each use a primary source—a book, newspaper, tract, or artwork—as an entry point into Gilded Age America and as a means to introduce key themes, figures, and developments within the era. Covering topics ranging from art, music, and literature to politics, medicine, and religion, these illuminating essays highlight patterns and trends that demonstrate how the Gilded Age shaped Jewish life in the twentieth century. Collectively, they provide a panoramic look at this critical period in American Jewish history.

The contributors are Samantha Baskind (Cleveland State University), Judah M. Cohen (Indiana University), David G. Dalin (Brandeis University), Noah Efron (Bar-Ilan University), Zev Eleff (Gratz College), Lori Harrison-Kahan (Boston College), Melissa R. Klapper (Rowan University), Michael P. Kramer (Bar-Ilan University), Alan M. Kraut (American University), Eli Lederhendler (Hebrew University of Jerusalem), Adam D. Mendelsohn (University of Cape Town), Pamela S. Nadell (American University), Heather S. Nathans (Tufts University), Shari Rabin (Oberlin College), Jonathan D. Sarna (Brandeis University), M. M. Silver (Max Stern Yezreel Valley College), Daniel Soyer (Fordham University), Benjamin Steiner (Trinity College), Beth S. Wenger (University of Pennsylvania), and Shira Wolosky (Hebrew University of Jerusalem).