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J
EWISH
in
america
S
HELLEY
M. B
UXBAUM
AND
S
ARA
E. K
ARESH
J. GORDON MELTON
, SERIES EDITOR
faith
JEWISH FAITH IN AMERICA
Faith in America
Text copyright © 2003 Shelley M. Buxbaum and Sara E. Karesh
Introduction copyright © 2003 Mitchell M. Hurvitz
Foreword copyright © 2003 J. Gordon Melton
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, elec-
tronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval systems,
without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, contact:
Facts On File, Inc.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Buxbaum, Shelley M.
Jewish faith in America / Shelley M. Buxbaum, Sara E. Karesh.
p.cm. — (Faith in America)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN: 0-8160-4986-6
1. Judaism—United States—History 2. Jews—United States—History 3. United States—Ethnic
relations. I. Karesh, Sara E. II. Title. III. Series.
BM205 .B89 2002
296'0973—dc21
2002029392
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Designed by Thomas Carling, Carling Design, Inc.
Photo research: Laurie Schuh
Photo credits:
Cover: AP/Wide World (3); Photodisc, bottom center. American Jewish Archives: 26, 30, 33, 41, 44, 77, 82, 92, 104,
116; American Jewish Historical Society: 34; AP/Wide World: 36, 51, 57, 69, 70, 88, 96, 109; The Art
Archive/Museo Tridentino Arte Sacra Trento/Dagli Orti (A): 6; Corbis: 72, 98, 100; Digital Stock: 14, 17; Jewish
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Printed in the United States of America
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This book is printed on acid-free paper.
C
ONT E NTS
Foreword by J. Gordon Melton 4
I
NTRODUCTION
Jewish Origins and Beliefs 7
C
HAPTER
1
Entering a Land of Opportunity 21
C
HAPTER
2
Judaism Adapts in America 37
C
HAPTER
3
How Judaism Has Influenced American Culture 57
C
HAPTER
4
Jewish Impact on American Social Issues
73
C
HAPTER
5
National and Political Impact of Jews
and Judaism 89
C
HAPTER
6
Important People in American Jewish History 101
C
HAPTER
7
Judaism in America:Today and Tomorrow
113
Glossary
120
Time Line
122
Resources
123
Index
124
F
OREWORD
AMERICA BEGINS A NEW MILLENNIUM AS ONE OF THE MOST RELIGIOUSLY
diverse nations of all time. Nowhere else in the world do so many people—offered a
choice free from government influence—identify with such a wide range of religious
and spiritual communities. Nowhere else has the human search for meaning been
so varied. In America today, there are communities and centers for worship repre-
senting all of the world’s religions.
The American landscape is dotted with churches, temples, synagogues, and
mosques. Zen Buddhist zendos sit next to Pentecostal tabernacles. Hasidic Jews walk
the streets with Hindu swamis. Most amazing of all, relatively little conflict has oc-
curred among religions in America. This fact, combined with a high level of tolerance
of one another’s beliefs and practices, has let America produce people of goodwill
ready to try to resolve any tensions that might emerge.
The Faith in America series celebrates America’s diverse religious heritage.
People of faith and ideals who longed for a better world have created a unique society
where freedom of religious expression is a keynote of culture. The freedom that Amer-
ica offers to people of faith means that not only have ancient religions found a home
here, but that newer ways of expressing spirituality have also taken root. From huge
churches in large cities to small spiritual communities in towns and villages, faith in
America has never been stronger. The paths that different religions have taken through
American history is just one of the stories readers will find in this series.
Like anything people create, religion is far from perfect. However, its contribu-
tion to the culture and its ability to help people are impressive, and these accomplish-
ments will be found in all the books in the series. Meanwhile, awareness and tolerance
of the different paths our neighbors take to the spiritual life has become an increas-
ingly important part of citizenship in America.
Today, more than ever, America as a whole puts its faith in freedom—the free-
dom to believe.
4
JEWISH FAITH IN AMERICA
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