Table of Contents

Foreword: Peoplehood and Community ix
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction: Jews in the 'Hood 1

1. Defining Peoplehood 13
2. Collective Jewish Identity 37
3. Constructing a Personal Jewish Identity 59
4. Pro-Choice Judaism: Are There Too Many Identity Options? 71
5. Membership and Boundaries 87
6. Peoplehood and Intermarriage 99
7. Jewish Literacy and the Peoplehood Prerogative 117
8. Irreconcilable Differences? Jewish and Israeli Identity 133
9. Stepping Across the Generational Divide 149
10. Dreams, Desired Outcomes, and the Jewish Future 165

Notes 183

About the Author

Dr. Erica Brown, an inspiring writer and educator, is scholar-in-residence for the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. She consults for the Jewish Agency and other Jewish non-profits, and is a faculty member of the Wexner Foundation. She is an Avi Chai Fellow, winner of the Ted Farber Professional Excellence Award, and the recipient of a Covenant Award for her work in education. She is author of Confronting Scandal: How Jews Can Respond When Jews Do Bad Things; Inspired Jewish Leadership: Practical Approaches to Building Strong Communities, a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award, and Spiritual Boredom: Rediscovering the Wonder of Judaism and coauthor of The Case for Jewish Peoplehood: Can We Be One? (all Jewish Lights). She contributed to We Have Sinned: Sin and Confession in Judaism—Ashamnu and Al Chet, Who by Fire, Who by Water—Un'taneh Tokef and All These Vows—Kol Nidre (all Jewish Lights). She lectures widely on subjects of Jewish interest and leadership. She lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, and can be reached at www.EricaBrown.com.

Dr. Misha Galperin is CEO and president of Jewish Agency International Development and former CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. Dr. Galperin serves on several non-profit boards and was previously COO of UJA-Federation of New York, the world's largest local philanthropy. He has a PhD in clinical psychology and has written about and spoken widely on the issues of Jewish identity, values and community. He was born in Odessa, Ukraine, and immigrated to the United States in 1976 with his family at age eighteen. He is author of Reimagining Leadership in Jewish Organizations: Ten Practical Lessons to Help You Implement Change and Achieve Your Goals and coauthor of The Case for Jewish Peoplehood: Can We Be One? (both Jewish Lights).

Rabbi Joseph Telushkin is author of several books that have made Jewish philosophy, theology and history accessible to the broad public, including Jewish Literacy and Jewish Wisdom.

Reviews

"Accessible and stimulating. Opens the windows and doors wide to invite all of us to participate in a spirited conversation about the changing nature of Jewish peoplehood in the twenty-first century."
—Shifra Bronznick, coauthor, Leveling the Playing Field: Advancing Women in Jewish Organizational Life; founder and president, Advancing Women Professionals and the Jewish Community



"Effectively combines a broad review of the Jewish peoplehood concept with a nuanced understanding of how Jews live their lives. The authors take a conceptual framework with its origins in the works of Kaplan to a new plane, understanding that at a time of unlimited choices and unprecedented freedom, Jewish peoplehood takes on a myriad of meanings, while guided by unified values and powerful inspiration."
—Dr. Jeffrey Solomon, president, Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies

“As the issue of Jewish peoplehood assumes greater urgency, Drs. Misha Galperin and Erica Brown have provided us with a rich resource. A must read for all concerned about the Jewish future.”
—Dr. John Ruskay, executive vice president and chief executive officer, UJA-Federation of New York

“Addresses the issue of what the Jewish People really is, and why it is important. The questions raised here must be faced by everyone concerned with a Jewish future.”
—Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, PhD, author, Rethinking Synagogues: A New Vocabulary for Congregational Life

“Timely, immensely thoughtful, provocative, rewarding. Illuminates and enriches every aspect of peoplehood with keen analysis, deep personal insights and wise suggestions.”
—Dr. Jonathan Woocher, chief ideas officer, JESNA; director, Lippman Kanfer Institute