Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism (American Jewish Civilization Series)

Rating:
Summary: better than I expected
Review: I got this book after moving to Philadelphia (where Leeser spent 21 years), and figured I'd learn a bit about local shul history but otherwise be a bit bored. I need not have worried- this book was livelier than I expected, mainly because it is not just a biography but also to some extent a guide to the early years of American Judaism. I learned not only how primitive and weak early American Judaism was (for example, until the 1840s congregations were led by prayer leaders rather than ordained rabbis) but also how in other ways there truly is nothing new under the sun. For example:

1. Concerns over "the Vanishing American Jew"- In 1836 (!) Leeser wrote that "in less than the age of one man the name of Israelite will hardly be known in this land, save as an object of memory"

2. Day school vs. Sunday school- In the 1830s Leeser tried to start a Jewish day school, but the lack of interest was so overwhelming that he closed it down. So he held his nose and started the first Sunday school.

3. Church/state battles- In 1864, a group of Presbyterian ministers endorsed a "Christian nation" amendment to the Constitution because "a Christian nation with an atheistical Constitution is an anomaly." Leeser took a strong stand against such nonsense.

4. Intracongregational warfare- In contract renewal negotiations, Leeser retained an attorney (something that raises eyebrows even today in synagogues).

5. Reconciling Orthodoxy with America- Readers need only look to the illustrations of the clean-shaven Leeser and his congregants to notice that his Orthodox congregation was "modern" at least a century before modern was cool.

Rating:
Summary: better than I expected
Review: I got this book after moving to Philadelphia (where Leeser spent 21 years), and figured I'd learn a bit about local shul history but otherwise be a bit bored. I need not have worried- this book was livelier than I expected, mainly because it is not just a biography but also to some extent a guide to the early years of American Judaism. I learned not only how primitive and weak early American Judaism was (for example, until the 1840s congregations were led by prayer leaders rather than ordained rabbis) but also how in other ways there truly is nothing new under the sun. For example:

1. Concerns over "the Vanishing American Jew"- In 1836 (!) Leeser wrote that "in less than the age of one man the name of Israelite will hardly be known in this land, save as an object of memory"

2. Day school vs. Sunday school- In the 1830s Leeser tried to start a Jewish day school, but the lack of interest was so overwhelming that he closed it down. So he held his nose and started the first Sunday school.

3. Church/state battles- In 1864, a group of Presbyterian ministers endorsed a "Christian nation" amendment to the Constitution because "a Christian nation with an atheistical Constitution is an anomaly." Leeser took a strong stand against such nonsense.

4. Intracongregational warfare- In contract renewal negotiations, Leeser retained an attorney (something that raises eyebrows even today in synagogues).

5. Reconciling Orthodoxy with America- Readers need only look to the illustrations of the clean-shaven Leeser and his congregants to notice that his Orthodox congregation was "modern" at least a century before modern was cool.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent look at American Jewish history
Review: Well written biography of one of the most important figures in American Jewish history. Sussman takes a scholarly approach to the life of Isaac Leeser and gives the reader an intimate portrait of his life. This is a must read for students of both American history and the American Jewish experience!