"...an engaging account of an otherwise hardly known chapter in
American Jewish history."--CHOICE
"Ellen Umansky's fascinating account of the Jewish Science movement
in America explains how and why the promise of health and
well-being proved attractive to so many thousands of Jews in the
past century--and still does today. The book also examines the
remarkable personalities who built and led Jewish
Science--including Tehilla Lichtenstein, an inspiring figure who
stood at the head of the movement for thirty-five years. Umansky
has written a thorough,
highly readable, and extremely relevant study of an aspect of
American Judaism too long neglected by scholars and community
leaders."--Arnold M. Eisen, author of Rethinking Modern Judaism:
Ritual,
Commandment, Community
"This carefully researched and sensitive book rescues from near
oblivion the principal figures of an overlooked corner of early
twentieth-century American Judaism, showing that an apparent
historical detour can be the harbinger of a significant long-range
trend. Reacting to the attraction of some Jews to Christian
Science, three Reform rabbis developed a position called Jewish
Science, emphasizing how Jewish prayer and faith in God can
contribute to mental and
physical well-being. Umansky's portrait of Tehilla Lichtenstein,
the widow of one of the rabbis and the first female spiritual
leader of a Jewish congregation in the U.S., is particularly
entrancing.
Umansky puts this tiny movement in its broader historical context,
the interaction of psychology and religion, which included such
well-known figures as Norman Vincent Peale. This book is required
reading for anyone interested in the recent upsurge of Jewish
spirituality."--Robert M. Seltzer, author of Jewish People, Jewish
Thought
"With the skill of a consummate detective, Ellen Umansky uncovers
in this volume a forgotten chapter in the history of American
Judaism. Her narrative brings to life a wide range of fascinating
characters, Orthodox and Reform, men and women alike. It sheds
light on everything from the Jewish response to Christian Science
to the contemporary movement of Jewish healing, and from pastoral
psychology to modern feminism. Brilliantly researched and full
of
surprises."--Jonathan D. Sarna, author of American Judaism: A
History
"Serves as an intimate and revealing history of a contemporary
movement that owed its vitality to a small group of women and men
committed to rediscovering the spiritual resources that they
believed had always been at the center of Judaism. Among the
greatest strengths of Umansky's book are the illuminating portraits
(informed by numerous interviews) that she weaves throughout her
narrative."--American Historical Review
"Ellen Umansky's fascinating account of the Jewish Science movement
in America explains how and why the promise of health and
well-being proved attractive to so many thousands of Jews in the
past century--and still does today. The book also examines the
remarkable personalities who built and led Jewish
Science--including Tehilla Lichtenstein, an inspiring figure who
stood at the head of the movement for thirty-five years. Umansky
has written a thorough,
highly readable, and extremely relevant study of an aspect of
American Judaism too long neglected by scholars and community
leaders."--Arnold M. Eisen, author of Rethinking Modern Judaism:
Ritual,
Commandment, Community
"This carefully researched and sensitive book rescues from near
oblivion the principal figures of an overlooked corner of early
twentieth-century American Judaism, showing that an apparent
historical detour can be the harbinger of a significant long-range
trend. Reacting to the attraction of some Jews to Christian
Science, three Reform rabbis developed a position called Jewish
Science, emphasizing how Jewish prayer and faith in God can
contribute to mental and
physical well-being. Umansky's portrait of Tehilla Lichtenstein,
the widow of one of the rabbis and the first female spiritual
leader of a Jewish congregation in the U.S., is particularly
entrancing.
Umansky puts this tiny movement in its broader historical context,
the interaction of psychology and religion, which included such
well-known figures as Norman Vincent Peale. This book is required
reading for anyone interested in the recent upsurge of Jewish
spirituality."--Robert M. Seltzer, author of Jewish People, Jewish
Thought
"With the skill of a consummate detective, Ellen Umansky uncovers
in this volume a forgotten chapter in the history of American
Judaism. Her narrative brings to life a wide range of fascinating
characters, Orthodox and Reform, men and women alike. It sheds
light on everything from the Jewish response to Christian Science
to the contemporary movement of Jewish healing, and from pastoral
psychology to modern feminism. Brilliantly researched and full
of
surprises."--Jonathan D. Sarna, author of American Judaism: A
History
"An intimate and revealing history of a contemporary movement that
owed its vitality to a small group of women and men committed to
rediscovering the spiritual resources that they believed had always
been at the center of Judaism."--American Historical Review
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