[Review of] Jeffrey Rubin-Dorsky and Shelley Fisher Fishkin. People of the Book: Holstein Thirty Scholars Reflect on their Jewish Identity

Authors

Sandra J. Holstein

Orginal Publication Date

1997

Journal Title

Ethnic Studies Review

Volume

20

Issue

esr/vol20/iss1

First Page

119

Last Page

120

Comments

The Ethnic Experience in the United States

Abstract

People of the Book is an important contribution to ethnic studies and identity politics. It is a dense and reflective collection of essays which defines Judaism in personal and scholarly contexts. As one of the contributors, Nancy Miller, says: "It's not easy to write about being Jewish" (168). The editors divide the essays into four parts. After the introductory essay, Part 2, "Transformations," examines how the authors' activism grows out of their Jewish heritage. "Negotiations," looks at Jewish definition in the context of other Jewish and non-Jewish communities, and "Explorations," shows the relationship between being Jewish and pursuing a discipline. "Meditations," is an application of previous themes to specific literary works. Certain concerns cross over all four sections to make the search for identity continuous and shared.

Rights

​Copyright ©ESR, The National Association for Ethnic Studies, 1997