Explores how and why Jewish identity varies in different locations around the world and examines the implications of these variations for Jewish education.

Explores how and why Jewish identity varies in different locations around the world and examines the implications of these variations for Jewish education.

A collaboration of the world's leading contemporary Jewry scholars, this book explains how and why Jewish identity differs in various societies and regions and the impact of these variations on the theory and practice of Jewish education. The authors discuss differences that extend beyond such immediately obvious variations as language and dress. Included is an examination of what Jews believe they share and what sets them apart from others; what specific elements of Judaism, which conceptualizations, and which interpretations acquire special emphasis; and the extent to which, and the manner in which, Jews are to function as part of the larger societies in which they dwell.

At the Hebrew University, Steven M. Cohen is Associate Professor at the Melton Center for Jewish Education and Gabriel Horenczyk is Senior Lecturer at the Melton Center and the School of Education. Cohen is the author of several books, including Two Worlds of Judaism: The Israeli and American Experiences (with Charles Liebman), and Cosmopolitans and Parochials: Modern Orthodox Jews in America (with Samuel C. Heilman). Horenczyk is the coeditor of Language, Identity, and Immigration (with Elite Olshtain).

"This book is a good survey of present knowledge and issues in the study of Jewish identity and its implications for education." — Nathan Glazer, Harvard University

"National Variations in Jewish Identity is a lively study of vital issues facing Jews–a sure tribute to the superb group of scholars who contributed." — Jack Wertheimer, Jewish Theological Seminary