The Jew Within: Self, Family, and Community in America

The trend pointed out in this book toward increasing Jewish retreat from communal participation and responsibility fits in with the wider pattern in American society as a whole. The shift in focus from inherited shared traditional commitment to absolutely autonomous individual choice in defining one's relation to the Jewish community is both a fact of life and a signal of decline. The contradiction to this trend is the improved Jewish education an increasing minority of the community is receiving. Such education ideally does strengthen communal commitment and responsibility. I have heard Steven Cohen speak about the issues raised in this book and had the sense that he was far too optimistic in believing that the very partial and limited kinds of Jewish connection so increasingly prevalent among American Jewry can be a source of real communal strength in the future.

The Jew Within transforms the notion of identity in general from one of membership, an organic part of a primary social group,to one of partial, temporary choices which may not even be called "commitments." The quotes from interviews are judiciously chosen and the analysis excellent. A superb book for any one interested in modern identity, in Jewish identity and in Jewish education. Noam Zion, author of A Different Night, Family Participation Haggadah

I had the opportunity to listen to Professor Eisen during a Scholar in Residence weekend at my synagogue. I'm not sure what's more engaging - hearing him speak or reading his book. GET THIS BOOK. It's not just for Jews - it will make you think about your place in the world regardless of your religious or cultural affilation.