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 Why is it that Jews are so involved in causes dedicated to justice, equality, human rights and peace? Are these trends influenced by religion, history, sociology or something else?
Judaism and Justice explores the relationship between Judaism, social justice and the Jewish identity of American Jews. The book traces how the idea of "justice", as developed in the sacred texts of Judaism, conditions Jewish attitudes and behavior. In a fascinating portrayal of some of the major
issues facing the Jewish community in the last 50 years, Schwarz explores a community torn
between its instincts for self-preservation and its desire to serve as an ethical "light to the nations".
The book's overview of new and emerging Jewish social justice organizations yields a bold thesis
that helps to explain much of the contemporary Jewish condition.
Rabbi Schwarz's first book, Finding a Spiritual Home, was not only widely read and quoted, but has
been used by hundreds of synagogues and rabbis across the country. In it, he offered a new paradigm
to help reclaim the American synagogue for a younger generation of American Jews. Judaism and
Justice uses a similar blend of history and sociology to offer a new vision for a Jewish community
built around a commitment to social justice. The book will speak to the tens of thousands of Jews
with deep ommitments to justice, peace and equality, connecting that behavior and consciousness
to the history, values and wisdom of the Jewish heritage. A directory of Jewish social justice and
community service organizations will provide readers with a starting point for meaningful engagement.
Judaism and Justice will provide a new way to understand Jewish identity. It promises to be one of
the most talked about books of the year.
 Every so often a books comes along with the potential to change the national landscape. Finding a Spiritual Home is such a book. Sidney Schwarz offers a penetrating analysis of the American Jewish community and the particular role played by American synagogues. He argues persuasively that the American synagogue has failed to identify and respond to the spiritual hunger so much in evidence among the baby boomer generation which he calls "new American Jews".
Schwarz argues for the creation of a new model--the synagogue-community. He profiles four synagogues, one from each of the major movements of American Judaism, which have had extraordinary success with this new approach to congregational life. The book offers compelling stories of Jewish "seekers" in search of spiritual fulfillment who "came home" to Judaism primarily because they found these particular synagogues receptive to their needs.
Finding a Spiritual Home challenges American synagogues to reach out to a generation of seekers. It offers specific strategies to transform exisiting congregations or to create new ones. Schwarz offers an eloquent and powerful call to spiritual seekers to explore the riches of the Jewish tradition. The book offers a message of hope for every Jew who is longing for connection, transcendance, and purpose--who seeks a spiritual home. |
