Judaism as a Civilization Toward a Reconstruction of American-Jewish Life

by KAPLAN, Mordecai M

Price: $650.00
Shipping rates & speeds | 30 Day Return Guarantee Ask bookseller a question | E-mail to a friend

Book description: New York: The MacMillan Company, 1957. Hardcover. Very Good/very good. (RECONSTRUCTIONIST JUDAISM) The publication of Kaplan's "Judaism as a Civilization" marked the beginning of his long and illustrious career in Jewish philosophy. The book lays out the basic tenets of a reimagined Judaism (i.e., Reconstructionist Judaism) and continues to have a profound influence on modern Jewish life today.Rabbi Mordecai Menahem Kaplan (1881-1983) founded Reconstructionist Judaism, a very liberal set of beliefs in which an individual's personal autonomy is permitted to generally override tradition Jewish law and custom, yet is required to take into account communal consensus. This would enable world Jewry to adjust to the complicated social and intellectual conditions of the 20th century. Albert Einstein viewed Kaplan’s thesis as "an objective exposition and interpretation of the Jewish problem." Kaplan was born in Lithuania and was ordained as a rabbi at Yeshiva University in New York in 1902. Kaplan began his career as an Orthodox at Kehillath Jeshrun, a synagogue in New York. He helped to create the Young Israel Orthodox movement with Rabbi Israel Friedlander and was a leader in creating the Jewish community center concept. He also helped found the Society for Advancement of Judaism.

Bookseller Terms of Sale

All items are offered subject to prior sale. Payment is due within one (1) week of order, and items are shipped upon receipt of payment. Shipping and insurance are additional. All items are guaranteed as described and may be returned in the same condition as sent for any reason within seven days of receipt. Institutions such as libraries, universities, and museums may be billed to meet their budgetary requirements.