Jewish Continuity in America presents an overview of a life's work by a preeminent scholar and brings new insight to the challenge of American Jewish continuity. Jews have historically lived within a paradox of faith and fear: faith that they are an eternal people and fear that their generation may be the last. In the United States; the Jewish community has faced to a heightened degree the enduring question of identity and assimilation: How does the Jewish community in this free; open; pluralistic society discover or create factors-both ideological and existential-that make group survival beneficial to the larger society and rewarding to the individual Jew?Abraham J. Karp's Jewish Continuity in America focuses on the three major sources of American Judaism's continuing vitality: the synagogue; the rabbinate; and Jewish religious pluralism. Particularly illuminating is Karp's examination of the coexistence and unity-in-diversity of American religious Jewry's three divisions-Orthodox; Reform; and Conservative-and of how this Jewish religious pluralism fits into the larger picture of American religious pluralism.Informing the larger enterprise through sharp and full delineation of discrete endeavors; the essays collected in Jewish Continuity in America-some already acknowledged as classics; some appearing here for the first time-describe creative individual and communal responses to the challenge of Jewish survival. As the title suggests; this book argues that continuity in a free and open society demands a high order of creativity; a creativity that; to be viable; must be anchored in institutions wholly pledged to continuity.
#2412495 in Books University Alabama Press 1997-06-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.53 x 1.07 x 6.42l; 1.63 #File Name: 0817308490304 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Very well preserved for years to comeBy Ellis W. DarbyThis 1997 publication from The University of Alabama Press must have languished in someone's library until the circulation numbers said it has to go to make room for others. The bar code sticker on the back page reads "D.C. Public Library." Wow; their loss is certainly my gain. The library glassine type cover protects the dust cover well and makes the book a wonderful addition to my library.Of course I cannot say enough about the amazing work of research and study that Mr. Saunders underwent to produce this outstanding story of a judicial giant.3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Political biography of a Supreme Court justice and attorney.By jwaskey@carpet.dalton.peachnet.eduJohn Archibald Campbell's life and political philosophy illustrate the difficulties that Southern moderates faced in developing and implementing a solution to the problems of slavery and secession. Campbell opposed both slavery and secession. Campbell's legal gifts eventually led him to practice before the United States Supreme Court and subsequently to an appointment to the Supreme Court itself. During his service on the Supreme Court Campbell opposed the Filibusterers in the New Orleans region; wrote a concurring opinion in the Dred Scot case; and rejected nullification by the courts of Wisconsin. As a moderate Campbell was vilified by both Southern fire-eaters and Abolitionist radicals. Campbell served eight years (1853-1861) on the Supreme Court before resigning to become an assistant secretary in the Confederate War Department. After the war he practiced law in New Orleans where he eventually became the lead attorney in the Slaughterhouse Case. His views in this case prepared the way for the broad interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment in the Twentieth Century. This book gives a very solid story of the life and labors of an important lawyer of the 19th Century. This political biography is the first full life of John Archibald Campbell. It will be of great use to students of the Supreme Court; American history; and legal scholars as well as those who enjoy good biography. It belongs in most libraries.
