Two Worlds of Judaism: The Israeli and American Experiences

In this book a political scientist living in Israel and a sociologist living in America explore how Israeli and American Jews differ in the way they conceive of their Judaism. It shows what it means to be Jewish in Israel and in America and how each group interprets their Jewish tradition.

This interesting book compares the American and Israeli views of Judaism. Israelis live in a Jewish state where religion is a public matter, while American Jews are a minority in a diverse population that considers religion to be a personal choice. American Jews feel secure despite the presence of anti-Semitism, but Israelis face a constant physical threat from Arab neighbors. These factors influence the interpretation of religious doctrine and of history. Leonard Fein's Where Are We? The Inner Life of American Jews (LJ 5/15/88) and Charles E. Silberman's A Certain People: American Jews and Their Lives Today (LJ 9/15/88) examine only American Jewish culture. Liebman and Cohen's comparison of Jewish life in the United States and Israel offers new insights into the strengths and weaknesses of both cultures and a deeper understanding of the current situation in Israel. Highly recommended for all collections.
- Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., Cal.
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