Video: The Future of American Judaism - Jonathan Sarna
I thought that in light of tonight’s airing of the final episode of PBS’s three part series on Jews in America, I would share this interesting UCTV lecture by Jewish Historian Jonathan Sarna. Incidentally, Sarna is one of the people featured in the PBS series and I can’t say that am surprised, because he is after all considered one the preeminent Jewish Historians of our times. The following video is a couple of years old but IMO is still interesting and more importantly very relevant.
Below is the lecture description as found on the Google Video Page.
Jonathan D. Sarna, Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University, discusses his new critically-acclaimed book, “American Judaism: A History.” While American Jews have always worried about intermarriage, assimilation and continuity, Sarna argues that they have found answers in regeneration, revitalization and renewal. Sarna’s talk entitled The Future of American Judaism was given as part of the 350th Commemoration of Jewish Life in America and was sponsored by the Herman P. and Sophia Taubman Endowed Symposia in Jewish Studies. Series: Humanitas [Humanities] [Show ID: 11070]
Enjoy!
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Thank you for posting this video! Prof. Sarna’s book American Judaism was a pleasure to read, and this video reminds me of what an engaging speaker he is. A former professor at HUC in Cincinnati and currently at Brandeis, Prof. Sarna is a wonderful teacher and someone everyone can learn from (as was his late father, Nahum Sarna z”l). He is also a warm person and one of my favorite fellow congregants from my shul in Newton, Massachusetts.
Shimshonit:
I’m glad that you liked it.
I was wondering what denomination he belongs to? Not that it really matters but I’m just a snoop when it comes that stuff. So anyhow, I’m guessing that you know. Care to share?
He (and his wife, Ruth Langer, a professor at Boston College and an ordained Reform rabbi) are members of Congregation Shaarei Tefillah, a modern Orthodox synagogue. The shul has the usual trappings of an Orthodox synagogue (mechitza, aliyot for men only, etc.) but also attracts Jews (and a few non-Jews seeking conversion) from various backgrounds. I once did a headcount of ordained rabbis in the room on a typical Shabbat morning and came up with around 15, only half of whom had Orthodox smicha. A groovy place and for me, a real Etz Chaim.
Keep the good stuff coming.
Shimshonit:
Wow that seems very strange (in a good way). I can’t even imagine an ordained (female)rabbi willingly belonging to an Orthodox Shull even an MO one. But what do I know??? I will just take it as a good sign!
I know that Mr. Sarna’s father was a JTS heavy wight of sorts, so i just assumed (in the back of my mind) thats what denomination they would belong to. You know like father, like sun and what not.
They WERE “like father, like son.” Prof. N. Sarna was involved at JTS, Prof. J. Sarna at HUC, and both ultimately attended Orthodox shuls.
LOL, I’m glad my intuition wasn’t off then!
BTW Shimshonit I just sent you an email, so if you could please get back to me when you have the chance.
Great presentation! I enjoyed his talk a lot and, to be
honest, wasn’t so sure how it’d all roll out after the
little sound bite of his on the first episode of the PBS special on American Judaism. My Newcomerism shows, I suppose, once again, as I am so pleased and almost in awe to see what appears to be a pretty candid assessment of a faith given for all to see, not justfor people in a room but also on the internet. Other faith and denominations might quietly and privately examine the evolution of faith and practice and the conflicts, but would never discuss it so publicly. The relative honesty is breathtaking.