Judaism's Encounter with American Sports

2005-08-31 Social Science

Author : Jeffrey S. Gurock
Release : 2005-08-31
Genre : Social Science
Kind : eBook
Book Rating : 609/5 ( reviews)

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Book Synopsis Judaism's Encounter with American Sports by : Jeffrey S. Gurock

Download or read book Judaism's Encounter with American Sports written by Jeffrey S. Gurock. This book was released on 2005-08-31. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Judaism's Encounter with American Sports examines how sports entered the lives of American Jewish men and women and how the secular values of sports threatened religious identification and observance. What do Jews do when a society -- in this case, a team -- "chooses them in," but demands commitments that clash with ancestral ties and practices? Jeffrey S. Gurock uses the experience of sports to illuminate an important mode of modern Jewish religious conflict and accommodation to America. He considers the defensive strategies American Jewish leaders have employed in response to sports' challenges to identity, such as using temple and synagogue centers, complete with gymnasiums and swimming pools, to attract the athletically inclined to Jewish life. Within the suburban frontiers of post--World War II America, sports-minded modern Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform rabbis competed against one another for the allegiances of Jewish athletes and all other Americanized Jews. In the present day, tensions among Jewish movements are still played out in the sports arena. Today, in a mostly accepting American society, it is easy for sports-minded Jews to assimilate completely, losing all regard for Jewish ties. At the same time, a very tolerant America has enabled Jews to succeed in the sports world, while keeping faith with Jewish traditions. Gurock foregrounds his engaging book against his own experiences as a basketball player, coach, and marathon runner. By using the metaphor of sports, Judaism's Encounter with American Sports underscores the basic religious dilemmas of our day.

Judaism's Encounter with American Sports. The Modern Jewish Experience

2005

Author :
Release : 2005
Genre :
Kind : eBook
Book Rating : /5 ( reviews)

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Book Synopsis Judaism's Encounter with American Sports. The Modern Jewish Experience by :

Download or read book Judaism's Encounter with American Sports. The Modern Jewish Experience written by . This book was released on 2005. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: [The experience of sports participation is used to illuminate modern Jewish religious conflict and accommodation to America, underscoring basic religious dilemmas.].

Sports and the American Jew

1998-06-01 History

Author : Steven A. Riess
Release : 1998-06-01
Genre : History
Kind : eBook
Book Rating : 548/5 ( reviews)

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Book Synopsis Sports and the American Jew by : Steven A. Riess

Download or read book Sports and the American Jew written by Steven A. Riess. This book was released on 1998-06-01. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book debunks the conventional stereotype that Jews and sports are somehow anathema and clearly demonstrates that sports have long been a significant institution in Jewish American life. Jews were among the very first professional baseball players and the most outstanding early American track stars. In the 1920s and 1930s they dominated inner-city sports such as basketball and boxing and produced star athletes in virtually all sports. Many Jews were also prominent in the business, communication, and literary aspects of sport. These essays, written by leading contemporary sports historians, examine the contributions of Jewish men and women to American sports. Steven A. Riess's article on this topic is the most comprehensive overview ever written and will doubtless become a standard reference for years to come.

Beyond Stereotypes

2015-04-15 Social Science

Author : Ari F. Sclar
Release : 2015-04-15
Genre : Social Science
Kind : eBook
Book Rating : 564/5 ( reviews)

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Book Synopsis Beyond Stereotypes by : Ari F. Sclar

Download or read book Beyond Stereotypes written by Ari F. Sclar. This book was released on 2015-04-15. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the decades after the Civil War, sports slowly gained a prominent position within American culture. This development provided Jews with opportunities to participate in one of the few American cultures not closed off to them. Jewish athleticism challenged anti-Semitic depictions of Jews supposed physical inferiority while helping to construct a modern American Jewish identity. An Americanization narrative emerged that connected Jewish athleticism with full acceptance and integration into American society. This acceptance was not without struggle, but Jews succeeded and participated in the American sporting culture as athletes, coaches, owners, and fans. The diversity of topics in this volume reflect that the field of the history of American Jews and sports is growing and has moved beyond the need to overcome the idea that Jews are simply People of the Book. The contributions to this volume paint a broad picture of Jewish participation in sports, with essays written by respected historians who have examined specific sports, individuals, leagues, cities, and the impact of sport on Judaism. Despite the continued belief that Jewish religious or cultural identity remains somehow distinct from the American idea of the athlete, the volume demonstrates that American Jews have had a tremendous contribution to American sports and conversely, that sports have helped construct American Jewish culture and identity.

Ellis Island to Ebbets Field

1993 History

Author : Peter Levine
Release : 1993
Genre : History
Kind : eBook
Book Rating : 558/5 ( reviews)

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Book Synopsis Ellis Island to Ebbets Field by : Peter Levine

Download or read book Ellis Island to Ebbets Field written by Peter Levine. This book was released on 1993. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Ellis Island to Ebbets Field, Peter Levine vividly recounts the stories of Red Auerbach, Hank Greenberg, Moe Berg, Sid Luckman, Nat Holman, Benny Leonard, Barney Ross, Marty Glickman, and a host of others who became Jewish heroes and symbols of the difficult struggle for American success.From settlement houses and street corners, to Madison Square and Fenway Park, their experiences recall a time when Jewish males dominated sports like boxing and basketball, helping to smash stereotypes about Jewish weakness while instilling American Jews with a fierce pride in their strength andability in the face of Nazi aggression, domestic anti-Semitism, and economic depression. Full of marvelous stories, anecdotes, and personalities, Ellis Island to Ebbets Field enhances our understanding of the Jewish-American experience as well as the struggles of other American minoritygroups.

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