Assuming an absolute number of 17.5 million Jewish people in the world and 6.9 million of them living in the USA, a discussion of The Jews in America seems indispensable in the context of American Cultural Studies. Jewish identity in this context has been approached in a greater focus with a wider public, political and religious discussion of the question “Who is a Jew?” 1 . This question, which is certainly connected to a difficult answer, became a very important factor, especially for the Jews in the USA during the 20 th century. Therefore this paper attempts to analyse the changing Jewish self- definition in the USA during the 20 th Century. Although it can or will not answer the complex question, “Who is a Jew?” correctly or in a wider sense completely, it will focus on the development of Jewish continuity and the changes in self-definition in the pluralistic society of the United States during the 20 th century.
A short acknowledgement on Jewish self- definition and - identification in general will be provided, before facts referring to assimilation, Americanisation and authenticity are discussed. The starting point for the changing Jewish self-definition, which is connected to the immigration at the end of the 19 th and the beginning of the 20 th century will be analysed in the second part. The Holocaust, the worst genocide of the century, was, especially for the German Jews, a dramatic experience. Besides traumatic feelings, the perception of the Holocaust and anti-Semitism in general mainly influenced the Jewish self- definition of American Jews, referring to the concept of Zionism and Redemption as strictly linked to a concept of hostility towards Jews. Considering the strong sense of self- identification and self- definition of the Jewish people will therefore lead to the third part where the influence of the perception of the Holocaust and anti- Semitism on Jewish self- definition is analysed. The following part will refer to the appearance of revolutionary ideas as usually revealed in the development of almost every people, society or religion. In the USA the influence of a pluralistic society opens possibilities to reform Jewishness and Judaism and results in the emergence of two types of Jews in the 60s and 70s that still dominate American Jewry.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Living in a Pluralistic Society: Immigration, Assimilation, Americanisation and Authenticity
3. The Jewish Perception of Anti-Semitism in the USA and the Concept of Zionism and Redemption, and the Divisions of Judaism
4. Different Jewish Tendencies in the 1960s and 1970s: Polarisation, American- Jews, Jewish- Jews and the Shrinking Middle
5. How to Remain Jewish: Jewish Future and Continuity in America
6. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the evolution of Jewish self-definition within the United States during the 20th century, specifically analyzing how Jewish identity has been reshaped by the pressures of a pluralistic society, immigration, and shifting socio-political environments. It aims to understand how American Jews navigate the tension between maintaining traditional Jewish continuity and integrating into broader American life.
- Historical context of Jewish immigration, assimilation, and Americanisation.
- The influence of the Holocaust and anti-Semitism on Jewish identity and Zionism.
- Development of various Jewish religious and cultural tendencies.
- Polarisation of American Jewry in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Future prospects for Jewish continuity and identity in America.
Excerpt from the Book
4. Different Jewish Tendencies and Polarisation in the 1960s and 1970: Jewish Americans, Jewish Jews and the Shrinking Middle
By the 1960s, Jewish immigration to America had virtually ended in a time when Jews defined themselves as belonging fully to America and identified with American cultural values in order to consolidate their economic and social gains. After the war, possibilities of mobility paved the way to increasing affluence and social success, reflected in their increased education, university attendance, and accelerating career advancement, which put them ahead of the average white American.
Beginning in the 60s, Jews became the heads of the most important branches of federal government the hope of steadily improving life in America seemed to come true. Maybe Heilman’s statement is the best way to summarize the Jewish situation at that time: “It was no longer questionable whether Jews had found their place in America…Jews on the whole are probably America’s most successful minority”.
Nevertheless, this success was to a great extent the result of melting into the American pot since it was achieved through assimilation and acculturation. Less and less of the life of American Jews was derived from Jewish history or belonged to the Jewish heritage. It was rather derived from the existing realities of American culture and politics. Or, as Arthur Hertzberg puts it, “in their Jewishness, they were all behaving like all other Americans”. But especially in the 1960s generational differences referring to assimilation began to be apparent for Jews.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the research focus on the development of Jewish self-definition and continuity in 20th-century American pluralistic society.
2. Living in a Pluralistic Society: Immigration, Assimilation, Americanisation and Authenticity: Analyzes how early 20th-century immigrants balanced their religious identity with the need to adapt to American societal demands.
3. The Jewish Perception of Anti-Semitism in the USA and the Concept of Zionism and Redemption, and the Divisions of Judaism: Discusses how anti-Semitism and the Holocaust shaped Jewish solidarity, Zionism, and the emergence of distinct religious sectors.
4. Different Jewish Tendencies in the 1960s and 1970s: Polarisation, American- Jews, Jewish- Jews and the Shrinking Middle: Examines the cultural divide in the 60s and 70s between assimilated Jews and those prioritizing a distinct Jewish ethnic and religious identity.
5. How to Remain Jewish: Jewish Future and Continuity in America: Explores current strategies and values promoted by the organized Jewish community to ensure future survival and continuity.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes findings on the non-homogenous nature of American Jewry and predicts the future evolution of Jewish identity.
Keywords
Jewish Identity, American Jewry, Assimilation, Americanisation, Pluralistic Society, Zionism, Judaism, Jewish Continuity, Anti-Semitism, Holocaust, Religious Tendencies, Cultural Identity, Intermarriage, Orthodoxy, Reform Judaism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper explores the changing nature of Jewish self-definition in the United States throughout the 20th century.
What are the primary thematic fields discussed?
Key themes include immigration history, the impact of anti-Semitism, religious and cultural assimilation, and the struggle to maintain Jewish continuity.
What is the main research objective?
The primary goal is to analyze how American Jews have adapted their identities to fit into a pluralistic society while addressing the question of "Who is a Jew?" within that context.
Which scientific methodology is used?
The study employs a qualitative analysis of historical developments and sociological concepts surrounding American Jewish life, drawing on existing academic literature and demographic perspectives.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main sections cover historical immigrant experiences, the influence of the Holocaust on identity, the rise of different movements like Reform and Conservative Judaism, and the polarization between assimilated and "Jewish-committed" Jews.
What are the characterizing keywords?
The work is characterized by terms such as Jewish identity, assimilation, Americanisation, pluralism, Zionism, and Jewish continuity.
How did the 1960s influence the categorization of American Jews?
The 1960s led to a polarization between "Jewish Americans," whose identity was primarily American, and "Jewish-Jews," who maintained an active, distinct ethnic and religious lifestyle.
What role does the concept of Zionism play in the American Jewish experience?
Zionism served as a unifying force and a response to anti-Semitism, helping American Jews connect their ethnic background with a shared purpose and identity despite varying levels of religious observance.
- Quote paper
- Liane Weigel (Author), 2003, Jewish Self-Definition, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/25633
