Hands Across the Sea

Hands Across the Sea is a study of the roots of current Arab-Jewish relations and the American Jewish Rights Movement. This book helps increase understanding of U.S. policy for the Middle East following the Balfour Declaration of 1917, which is increasingly critical today in light of recent American policy towards Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Based on Yiddish and Anglo-Jewish press accounts and reactions, Hands Across the Sea deals with major World War I events and their impact on the American Jewish community.

Joseph Rappaport earned a doctorate in American History from Columbia University. He served as President of the former Dropsie University, now the Center for Advanced Judaic Studies of the University of Pennsylvania. He continues as a development consultant for major grants from foundations and government for leading academic, health care, and social service institutions.