Sociology

Good or bad for the Jews? moving beyond the continuity debate

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Sociologists of American Jewish life could never be accused of hiding behind the ivory walls of the academy. Since many are personally and professionally involved with Jewish communal organizations, the distinctions between their private and work lives are often blurred. They have participated in the writing of local community studies and the planning of National Jewish Population Surveys. Sociologists have served as consultants and researchers for many projects sponsored by institutions such as the Council of Jewish Federations, the Jewish Theological Seminary, Hebrew Union College, and the American Jewish Committee. Within the context of their close relationship with Jewish organizations, sociologists of American Jewry have played central roles in the development of communal programs and policies. Through their writings, for example, scholars are shaping the current policy debate about whether Jewish institutions should devote their resources to strengthening and supporting the active core or to recruiting those on the periphery. Rather than isolating themselves in their university offices, sociologists of the American Jewish community conduct research that reflects their passionate concern about the vitality of the contemporary Jewish community and the future of Jewish life in the United States.

Publication Title

Contemporary Jewry

Publication Date

12-2000

Volume

21

Issue

1

First Page

91

Last Page

97

ISSN

0147-1694

DOI

10.1007/BF02962404

Keywords

Jewish Americans

Share

COinS