About the book
This new cultural history of Jewish life and identity in the United States after World War II focuses on the process of upward mobility. Rachel Kranson challenges the common notion that most American Jews unambivalently celebrated their generally strong growth in economic status and social acceptance during the booming postwar era. In fact, a significant number of Jewish religious, artistic, and intellectual leaders worried about the ascent of large numbers of Jews into the American middle class.
Kranson reveals that many Jews were deeply concerned that their lives—affected by rapidly changing political pressures, gender roles, and religious practices—were becoming dangerously disconnected from authentic Jewish values. She uncovers how Jewish leaders delivered jeremiads that warned affluent Jews of hypocrisy and associated “good” Jews with poverty, even at times romanticizing life in America’s immigrant slums and Europe’s impoverished shtetls. Jewish leaders, while not trying to hinder economic development, thus cemented an ongoing identification with the Jewish heritage of poverty and marginality as a crucial element in an American Jewish ethos.
Editions of Ambivalent Embrace
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469635422
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469635439
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469635453
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890849663
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469635446
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890849656
Read an Excerpt
This new cultural history of Jewish life and identity in the United States after World War II focuses on the process of upward mobility. Rachel Kranson challenges the common notion that most American Jews unambivalently celebrated their generally strong growth in economic status and social acceptance during the booming postwar era. In fact, a significant number of Jewish religious, artistic, and intellectual leaders worried about the ascent of large numbers of Jews into the American middle class.
Kranson reveals that many Jews were deeply concerned that their lives—affected by rapidly changing political pressures, gender roles, and religious practices—were becoming dangerously disconnected from authentic Jewish values. She uncovers how Jewish leaders delivered jeremiads that warned affluent Jews of hypocrisy and associated “good” Jews with poverty, even at times romanticizing life in America’s immigrant slums and Europe’s impoverished shtetls. Jewish leaders, while not trying to hinder economic development, thus cemented an ongoing identification with the Jewish heritage of poverty and marginality as a crucial element in an American Jewish ethos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ambivalent Embrace about?
This new cultural history of Jewish life and identity in the United States after World War II focuses on the process of upward mobility. Rachel Kranson challenges the common notion that most American Jews unambivalently celebrated their generally strong growth in economic status and social acceptance during the booming postwar era. In fact, a significant number of Jewish religious, artistic, and intellectual leaders worried about the ascent of large numbers of Jews into the American middle class.
Kranson reveals that many Jews were deeply concerned that their lives—affected by rapidly changing political pressures, gender roles, and religious practices—were becoming dangerously disconnected from authentic Jewish values. She uncovers how Jewish leaders delivered jeremiads that warned affluent Jews of hypocrisy and associated “good” Jews with poverty, even at times romanticizing life in America’s immigrant slums and Europe’s impoverished shtetls. Jewish leaders, while not trying to hinder economic development, thus cemented an ongoing identification with the Jewish heritage of poverty and marginality as a crucial element in an American Jewish ethos.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Ambivalent Embrace?
Society and Social Sciences > Society and culture: general > Social groups, communities and identities > Social groups: religious groups and communities
Where can I read a sample of Ambivalent Embrace?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469635422
How long is Ambivalent Embrace and how many pages does it have?
Ambivalent Embrace has 232 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Ambivalent Embrace?
Rachel Kranson
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Ambivalent Embrace is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469635422) and paperback(ISBN 9781469635439) and ebook(ISBN 9781469635453) and ebook(ISBN 9798890849663) and ebook(ISBN 9781469635446) and pdf(ISBN 9798890849656)
Where can I buy Ambivalent Embrace online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Ambivalent Embrace from below
Where can I buy Ambivalent Embrace?