Book Reviews
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This collection of book reviews examines three significant scholarly works addressing contemporary Jewish concerns. The first review analyzes *Antisemitism in America Today: Outspoken Experts Explode the Myths*, edited by Jerome R. Chanes, which presents twenty essays examining antisemitism from psychological, historical, sociological, and political perspectives. The anthology addresses the paradox whereby despite declining attitudinal and behavioral antisemitism over forty years, an increasing proportion of American Jews perceive it as a serious problem, rising from 50% in 1983 to 83% by 1990. Contributors including Jack Wertheimer, Martin Bergmann, and Letty Cottin Pogrebin provide multidisciplinary analyses examining antisemitism within broader contexts of American intolerance, psychological prejudice, and intersectional discrimination. The second review evaluates Peter Pitzele's *Our Fathers' Wells: A Personal Encounter with the Myths of Genesis*, which employs psychodrama methodology to create "post-patriarchal" midrashim on Genesis narratives. This work uniquely combines spiritual autobiography, therapeutic practice, and biblical exegesis, offering innovative interpretations particularly of the Akedah story. The third review examines *Conversion to Judaism in Jewish Law—Essays and Responsa*, edited by Walter Jacob and Moshe Zemer, which presents Reform Judaism's halakhic approach to contemporary conversion issues. The work demonstrates significant divergence from traditional halakhic requirements, eliminating requirements for formal Bet Din, circumcision, and mikveh. These reviews collectively illustrate evolving approaches to Jewish scholarship, religious practice, and community identity in late twentieth-century American Judaism.

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Published 1996
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