Review of Dershowitz's The Vanishing American Jew: In Search of Jewish Identity for the Next Century

I just finished Alan Dershowitz's book The Vanishing American Jew: In Search of Jewish Identity for the Next Century. It was an interesting read. I really did not learn all that much, but his main thesis is this: Judaism, whatever that may be, in all its diverse manifestations ought to be preserved. He first talks about why, and I think his reasons are a little weird and shaky, but I am sure that that does not matter. If you have to ask why, then I think that you would not be all that interested in the book. His audience is for those who already think the answser is yes, Judaism ought to be preserved, and what to think about the issue more.

There is a long discussion on the lack of external threats motivating Jews to stay Jewish, and then goes on to talk about the proposed solutions to the "new Jewish question". There is little mainstream antisemitism, and little discrimination in places where there are many Jews. The New Jewish Quesiton is how will Jews stay Jewish without external threats to keep them cohesive and to perpetuate their culture. Various solutions are discussed from Ultra-Orthodox insularity to aliah, to ethical Judaism. All those answers are rejected as impracitical.

Fianlly Dershowitz offers a call to arms, so to speak to the Jewish community, encouraging it to educate itself about Judaism, and to make Jewish education a worthwhile and integral part of Jewish life. He also demands more acceptance of plurality, but more conviction in Jewish life.

He is careful throught to stress that there are a myriad of voices in Jewish culture, and he does not have a predilection for the preservation of any of them in particular. He wants them all. He tells us that, as a community we do not have to stand for anything second-rate, least of all education about Jewish stuff.

This is a very "in" book. It is for Jews. It is about Judaism. It is often personal, and it has a lot of jokes, name-dropping and personal anecdotes. Perhaps discussion about his son is what mativated the book in the first place.

The problem is not very well motivated and perhaps only appeals to those who already believe that there is a problem. The solution is also not really great. Something about a conference and a call for better education, as if that wasn't already happening. I have to say, I am very in sympathy with Dershowitz, but I think I realize that his problem and solution only hold true for those who are already taking it seriously (like me).