Jews have been a religious and cultural presence in America since the colonialera and the community of Jews in the United States today some six millionpeople ... » 

Jews have been a religious and cultural presence in America since the colonialera and the community of Jews in the United States today some six millionpeople continues to make a significant contribution to the Americanreligious landscape. Emphasizing developments in American Judaism in the lastquarter century among active participants in Jewish worship this book providesboth a look back into the 350year history of Judaic life and a wellcraftedportrait of a multifaceted tradition today. Combining extensive research intosynagogue archival records and secondary sources as well as interviews andobservations of worship services at more than a hundred Jewish congregationsacross the country Raphaels study distinguishes itself as both a history ofthe Judaic tradition and a witness to the vitality and variety of contemporaryAmerican Judaic life. Beginning with a chapter on beliefs festivals and lifecycle events both traditional and nontraditional and an explanation of theenormous variation in practice Raphael then explores Jewish history inAmerica from the arrival of the first Jews to the present highlighting theemergence and development of the four branches Orthodox ConservativeReconstructionist and Reform. After documenting the considerable variety amongthe branches the book addresses issues of some controversy notablyspirituality conversion homosexuality Jewish education synagoguearchitecture and the relationship to Israel. Raphael turns next to adiscussion of eight American Jews whose thoughts andor activities made a hugeimpact on American Judaism. The final chapter focuses on the return totradition in every branch of Judaism and examines prospects for the future. «