Sunday, March 8 at 10:00 AM
No examination of the enormous influence that Jews have had on American society would be complete without considering the question: How could such a minute fraction of the American population have had such a profound influence throughout the centuries? To guide us in an exploration of American Jewish exceptionalism, we will host Robert Eisen, Professor of Religion and Judaic Studies at George Washington University, for a discussion of his new book, Jews, Judaism, and Success: How Religion Paved the Way to Modern Jewish Achievement. An analysis of four core Jewish values of the Rabbinic period — autonomy, freedom of thought, worldliness, and education — Eisen offers convincing evidence that “while modern Jews rejected aspects of Rabbinic Judaism, they also retained some of its values, and these [four] in particular [helped create a path] to Jewish success.” (Amazon)

Brandeis Professor Jonathan Sarna has this to say about Eisen’s book: “This bold, erudite and provocative attempt to explain Jews’ disproportionate success in the Modern Period ... will challenge, inform, and instruct [its readers].” And per Harvard Professor of Jewish History, Derek Penslar: “Clearly written, carefully argued, and thoroughly researched, this book deserves a wide readership and lively discussion.”