Reform Judaism in America: A Biographical Dictionary and Sourcebook

by Kerry Olitzky, Marc Raphael, Lance J. Sussman

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313246289
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	03/17/1993
Series:	Jewish Denominations in America
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.88(d)

About the Author

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 jourbanal 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.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Biographical Dictionary
Union of American Hebrew Congregations
Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion
Central Conference of American Rabbis
Appendixes
Union of American Hebrew Congregations
Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion
Central Conference of American Rabbis
American Conference of Cantors
National Association of Temple Administrators
National Association of Temple Educators
National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods
National Federation of Temple Brotherhoods
World Union for Progressive Judaism
Association of Reform Zionists of America
Kadima
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Following an introductory essay on the history of Reform Judaism in America, a biographical dictionary profiles the careers and achievements of the most influential leaders of Reform Judaism, including a bibliography of works by and about each person. A series of essays reviews the history of particular organizations, and a set of appendices lists the principal figures affiliated with these associations. The volume concludes with an extensive bibliography of primary and secondary sources. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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