Religion : Judaism

Adventures in Yiddishland examines the transformation of Yiddish in the six decades since the Holocaust, tracing its shift from the language of daily life for millions of Jews to what the author terms a postvernacular language of diverse and expanding symbolic value. With a thorough command of modern Yiddish culture as well as its centuries-old history, Jeffrey Shandler investigates the remarkable diversity of contemporary encounters with the language. His study traverses the broad spectrum of people who engage with Yiddish--from Hasidim to avant-garde performers, Jews as well as non-Jews, fluent speakers as well as those who know little or no Yiddish--in communities across the Americas, in Europe, Israel, and other outposts of "Yiddishland." more...

Price: $15.95

Throwing the spotlight relentlessly on Pius XII has skewed the question surrounding Catholicism and the Holocaust, depriving us of a record of what the entire church did or did not do. Such a record is provided in Michael Phayer's book, He shows that without effective church leadership under Pius XII, Catholics acted ambiguously during the Holocaust - some saving Jews, others helping Hitler murder them, the majority simply standing by. more...

Price: $12.75

A comprehensive single-volume reference guide to the terms and ideas of Kabbalah by a longtime teacher of Jewish mysticism -perfect for the serious student and newcomer alike. People of all faiths and backgrounds are drawn to the inspiration, knowledge, and spiritual insight that Kabbalah offers. But too often writings on Jewish mysticism are impenetrable for the novice, overly simplified for the advanced student, or misrepresent and sensationalize Kabbalistic practice. The Kabbalah Handbook is the first comprehensive single-volume Kabbalah reference guide that is indispensable for Kabbalah students of every level. The Kabbalah Handbook features: - more than five hundred key terms and concepts in straightforward, easy-to-read definitions and thorough, well-researched discussions;. - Hebrew, English, and Hebrew transliteration for each item;. - the language of origin for each term;. - a discussion of all sides of differing opinions within Kabbalistic philosophy;. - pronunciation guides;. - nondiscriminatory, gender-neutral language;. - important historical information;. - extensive cross-referencing that enables readers to find all terms, whether they are looking up a word in English or transliterated Hebrew;. - twenty-eight original and innovative illustrations;. - thirty-two tables and charts that organize and break down unwieldy material into manageable items; and. - appendices covering topics such as the 613 Mitzvot (biblical commandments), the lunar calendar, and the sacred names of God. more...

Price: $19.95

The past few decades have seen a remarkable surge in Jewish influences on American culture. Entertainers and artists such as Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, Allegra Goodman, and Tony Kushner have heralded new waves of television, film, literature, and theater; a major klezmer revival is under way; bagels are now as commonplace as pizza; and kabbalah has become as cool as crystals. Does this broad range of cultural expression accurately reflect what it means to be Jewish in America today?. Bringing together fourteen new essays by leading scholars, You Should See Yourself examines the fluctuating representations of Jewishness in a variety of areas of popular culture and high art, including literature, the media, film, theater, music, dance, painting, photography, and comedy. Contributors explore the evolution that has taken place within these cultural forms and how we can best explain these changes. Are variations in our understanding of Jewishness the result of general phenomena such as multiculturalism, politics, and postmodernism, or are they the product of more specifically Jewish concerns such as the intermarriage/continuity crisis, religious renewal, and relations between the United States and Israel?. Accessible to students and general readers alike, this volume takes an important step toward advancing the discussion of Jewish cultural influences in this country. more...

Price: $17.00

Abortion in Judaism presents a complete Jewish legal history of abortion from the earliest relevant biblical references through the end of the twentieth century. For the first time, almost every Jewish text relevant to the abortion issue is explored, providing important insights into the development of Jewish ethical principles. more...

Price: $24.00