Fighting to Become Americans : Assimilation and the Trouble Between Jewish Women and Jewish Men

Rating:
Summary: nothing new under the sun
Review: I always thought that the problems Jewish men and Jewish women had with each other were unique to our time. Not so! Prell examines the Jewish press of the early 20th century to show that Jewish men and Jewish women have (mis)understood each other ever since the 19th century mass migration to America. Women generally want good providers, and Jews are no exceptions. I would have devoted a bit more space to the problems caused by prosperity--for example, that as American Jews become more prosperous, women raise their economic standards and less successful Jewish males effectively drop out of the marriage market, thus spurring intermarriage. But well done on what it does cover.

Rating:
Summary: nothing new under the sun
Review: I always thought that the problems Jewish men and Jewish women had with each other were unique to our time. Not so! Prell examines the Jewish press of the early 20th century to show that Jewish men and Jewish women have (mis)understood each other ever since the 19th century mass migration to America. Women generally want good providers, and Jews are no exceptions. I would have devoted a bit more space to the problems caused by prosperity--for example, that as American Jews become more prosperous, women raise their economic standards and less successful Jewish males effectively drop out of the marriage market, thus spurring intermarriage. But well done on what it does cover.

Rating:
Summary: A great study of a big topic
Review: This is a clear and careful look at a complicated subject : the interwoven issues of twentieth-century American Jews' class and gender anxieties - and the complex relationships and adjustments (within and outside of the group) that have emerged from these tensions. Riv-Ellen Prell is a committed academic and her passionate interest in her subject is obvious. In addition she is a clear thinker and terrific at conveying complex ideas without being the least bit reductive.

There's an historic and political framework for Dr. Prell's topics, among them: the damage done to Jewish men and women by stereotyping both from within and without (additional American ethnic groups might take note); historic sources of class prejudice within the group; the resentment of (Jewish) newcomers and attempts to restrict immigration; changes in the workplace and in workplace participation; changes in expectations and practices - regarding romantic love, courtship, and marriage; the rearing of children; urban and suburban life; class and intra-religious aspirations; Jewish humor in the '50's; popular culture's reinforcement of intermarriage; changes in religious practice. Chapter Six is a detailed and smart deconstruction of the Jewish American Princess stereotype.

There is a terrific attention to detail throughout - and that is part of what makes this book so satisfying. Clothing colors, the specifics of living situations, food, ads and media, and most effective: a "typical" - self-revealing and moving - adolescent diary of Lois Greene, an 'ordinary' American teenager born in 1932, who gave her wonderful diary to the American Jewish Historical Society in 1988. It's in good hands, here.

Films are brought into this interesting discussion, to good effect. "Abie's Irish Rose" for starters. "The White Palace," "Dirty Dancing," "Crossing Delancey," "Private Benjamin," among others. Dr. Prell has also thought deeply about novels (immigrant lit. and American novels) jokes, advertising culture, and media's contributions to issues of self-image, self-esteem, and assimilation.

There are over fifty pages of notes plus an index. This is a serious study and a great read.