The Cambridge Guide to Jewish History, Religion, and Culture is a comprehensive and engaging overview of Jewish life, from its origins in the ancient Near East to its impact on contemporary popular culture. The twenty-one essays, arranged historically and thematically, and written specially for this volume by leading scholars, examine the development of Judaism and the evolution of Jewish history and culture over many centuries and in a range of locales. They emphasize the ongoing diversity and creativity of the Jewish experience. Unlike previous anthologies, which concentrate on elite groups and expressions of a male-oriented rabbinic culture, this volume also includes the range of experiences of ordinary people and looks at the lives and achievements of women in every place and era. The many illustrations, maps, timeline, and glossary of important terms enhance this book's accessibility to students and general readers.
Introduction Judith R. Baskin and Kenneth Seeskin; 1. The Hebrew Bible and the early history of Israel Marc Zvi Brettler; 2. The Second Temple Period Alan F. Segal; 3. The rabbinic movement Hayim Lapin; 4. The Jewish experience in the Muslim world Norman A. Stillman; 5. Jewish life in Western Christendom Robert Chazan; 6. Jews and Judaism in early modern Europe Adam Shear; 7. European Jewry: 1800-1933 Marsha L. Rozenblit; 8. Jews and Judaism in the United States Pamela S. Nadell; 9. The Shoah and its legacies Peter Hayes; 10. The founding of modern Israel and the Arab-Israeli conflict Bernard Reich; 11. The centrality of Talmud Michael S. Berger; 12. Judaism as a religious system Harvey E. Goldberg; 13. Jewish worship and liturgy Ruth Langer; 14. Jewish private life: gender, marriage, and the lives of women Judith R. Baskin; 15. Jewish philosophy Kenneth Seeskin; 16. Jewish mysticism Hava Tirosh-Samuelson; 17. Modern Jewish thought Leora Batnitzky; 18. Contemporary forms of Judaism Dana Evan Kaplan; 19. Jewish popular culture Jeffrey Shandler; 20. Aspects of Israeli society Judith R Baskin; 21. The futures of world Jewish communities Calvin Goldscheider; Glossary; Timeline.
