Books in Review
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As American Jewish communities grapple with institutional transformation, gender evolution, and demographic shifts, four recent scholarly works offer divergent perspectives on these challenges. Lawrence A. Hoffman's "Rethinking Synagogues" marshals interdisciplinary evidence to advocate converting "limited liability communities" into spiritually-focused "sacred communities," proposing a new conceptual framework for congregational vitality. Shuly Rubin Schwartz traces the remarkable transformation of the rebbetzin's role in "The Rabbi's Wife," documenting how these women navigated religious constraints to emerge as influential leaders in their own right, shifting from traditional supportive spouses to independent career-oriented partners. Calvin Goldscheider's demographic analysis in "Studying the Jewish Future" presents an optimistic view of American Jewish continuity, though his interpretations of intermarriage, delayed marriage, and fertility trends warrant careful scrutiny for potential ideological biases. Aaron L. Mackler rounds out the collection with a methodologically rigorous comparison of Jewish and Catholic approaches to contemporary bioethical challenges, including euthanasia, abortion, and healthcare access. Together, these works illuminate ongoing scholarly debates about institutional renewal, gender roles, demographic sustainability, and ethical frameworks in modern American Jewish life.

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Published 2006
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Jonathan Slater