Reform Judaism in America: A Biographical Dictionary and Sourcebook

This valuable reference extensively documents the lives and careers of the most influential leaders of Reform Judaism in America. The editors have assembled concise but informative biographical profiles of approximately 170 people. The work spans the period from the beginning of the Reform movement in 1824 through the 1976 Centenary Perspective. The individuals profiled were selected because of their impact on Reform Judaism at a national level. Included are the principal architects of reform, national organizational leaders, distinguished rabbis and academicians, outstanding cantors, volunteer lay activists, and women.

The work begins with an essay on the history of Reform Judaism in America. A biographical dictionary follows. Each entry in the dictionary assesses the career and contributions of a particular leader and closes with a short bibliography of works by and about that individual. The dictionary is followed by a set of essays that overview the history of associations related to Reform Judaism. A section of appendices lists the principal figures affiliated with these organizations. An extensive bibliography of primary and secondary sources concludes the work, making it an indispensable reference tool.

KERRY M. OLITZKY is Director of the School of Education at Hebrew Union College--Jewish Institute of Religion, where he also directs the Doctor of Ministry program. He is the author or editor of numerous books and journal articles, and he has written extensively on the Sunday Sabbath movement and the history of Reform Jewish education.

LANCE J. SUSSMAN is Assistant Professor of American Jewish History at SUNY Binghamton and rabbi of Temple Concord in Binghamton, New York. An authority on the history of Judaism, he has written numerous scholarly articles and monographs.

MALCOLM H. STERN is Staff Genealogist of the American Jewish Archives and a lecturer in Jewish History at Hebrew Union College--Jewish Institute of Religion, where he also serves as Field Work Counselor. The author of many books and articles, his pioneer work, Americans of Jewish Descent, has become a classic in its field.