Envisioning Israel

Explores how North American Jews have envisioned Israel From the late 19th century to the present.

Using the vision embedded in Israel's Declaration of Independence as a template, this anthology presents a unique and comprehensive dialogue between North American Jews and Israelis about the present and future of the State of Israel. With each essay published in both Hebrew and English, in one volume, Deepening the Dialogue is the first of its kind, outlining cultural barriers as well as the immediate need to come together in conversation around the vision of a democratic solution for our nation state.

Exploring how visual media presents claims to Jewish authenticity, Imagining Jewish Authenticity argues that Jews imagine themselves and their place within America by appealing to a graphic sensibility. Ken Koltun-Fromm traces how American Jewish thinkers capture Jewish authenticity, and lingering fears of inauthenticity, in and through visual discourse and opens up the subtle connections between visual expectations, cultural knowledge, racial belonging, embodied identity, and the ways images and texts work together.

This innovative study combines readings of contemporary literature, art, and performance to explore the diverse and complex directions of contemporary Jewish culture in Israel and the diaspora.

As the situation in Israel/Palestine seems to become ever more intractable and protracted, the need for new ways of looking at recent developments and their historical roots is more pressing than ever. Bearing this in mind, Yasmeen Abu-Laban and Abigail B. Bakan discuss the historic and contemporary dynamics in Israel/Palestine, and their international reverberations, from the unique vantage point of 'race', racialization, racism and anti-racism. They therefore offer close analysis of the 'idea' of Israel and the 'absence' of Palestine by examining the concepts of race and identity in the region. With fresh coverage of themes relating to gender, Idigeneity, the environment , surveillance and the war on terror, Israel, Palestine and the Politics of Race will appeal to scholars in political science, sociology and Middle East studies.

This book addresses the universal theological dimension of reconciliation in the context of the Israeli Messianic Jewish and Palestinian Christian divide. Palestinian Christians and Israeli Messianic Jews share a belief in Jesus as the son of God and Messiah. Often, though, that is all they have in common. This remarkable book, written in collaboration by a local Palestinian Christian and an Israeli Messianic Jew, seeks to bridge this gap by addressing head on, divisive theological issues (as well as their political implications) such as land, covenant, prophecy and eschatology which separate their two communities. The struggle for reconciliation is painful and often extremely difficult for all of us. This unique work seeks to show a way forward. COMMENDATIONS "In a world that wants to see only one side of every conflict (and this one especially), where people believe only their own propaganda, and where many Christians inhabit hard shells of theological, political and apocalyptic certainties, this book is a bravely different voice. Rather, it is two voices talking carefully, honestly, graciously, respectfully and truthfully to each other - as sisters and brothers in the Messiah should. This is a unique conversation in which each partner, Messianic Jewish Israeli and Palestinian Christian, gives full expression to all that they are and think and feel about themselves and the conflict in their land. We are treated to some stretching theological debate and some honest self-criticism. But above all we come to share the hope and courage that shines through the pain and struggle." - Christopher J. H. Wright, International Ministries Director, Langham Partnership, UK "The Palestinian-Israeli divide may be the most intractable conflict of our time. With great courage, honestly facing the turbulent political, historical, and theological landscape which authentic reconciliation must engage, Munayer and Loden open up fresh space. Given the divides between their communities, this book is a remarkable achievement, a cry of hope from the land where Jesus walked." - Chris Rice, Director of the Center for Reconciliation, Duke Divinity School, USA

7. Jewish Ideological Killers: Religious Fundamentalism or Ethnic Marginality? -- 8. Israeli Fiction: National Identity and Private Lives -- 9. Israeli Hebrew: National Identity and Language -- 10. The Politics of Israel: Relations with the American Jewish Community -- Conclusion: Imagination and Reality in Scenarios of Israel's Future

The Jews have been an urban people par excellence, and their influence on the urban landscape is unmistakable. Who can imagine modern Vienna, Berlin, Warsaw, or New York, to name just a few examples, without their large, vibrant, and creative Jewish populations? Conversely, the urban experience has been a decisive factor in modern Jewish history. This new volume in the acclaimed Studies in Contemporary Jewry series is devoted to the theme of Jews and the modern city. It features essays on Orthodox Jewry in the city, Jewish-Christian relations, klezmer music, the impact of urbanization on German Jewry, the Jewish communities in New York and St. Petersburg, and the emergence of the first "Hebrew City" (Tel-Aviv). It also includes a discussion of the new prayer book of the Conservative movement in Israel. Like others in the series, this book presents current scholarship in the form of a symposium, essays, and book reviews by distinguished experts in Jewish studies from around the world. Published annually by the Avraham Harman Institute of Contemporary Jewry at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Studies in Contemporary Jewry continues to be an invaluable resource for scholars of modern history and culture.