Jewish Polity and American Civil Society: Communal Agencies and Religious Movements in the American Public Square

A study of the civic and political engagements of American Jews as mediated by their communal and denominational institutions. The volume explores how the various branches of the organized Jewish community seek to influence public affairs. Over the course of the 20th century, Jewish agencies and religious movements have tried to shape public debate and public policy on such issues as civil rights, church-state relations, and American foreign policy. The work sets the history of Jewish engagement in these areas into historical context, analyzes the motives, strategies and tactics of various Jewish groups, and evaluates their successes and failures. It also explores the underlying idea - the public philosophy - that informs American Jews’ understanding of civic and political engagement.