Ethnicity and Faith in American Judaism: Reconstructionism as Ideology and Institution, 1935-1959

Abstract

This dissertation addresses the development of the movement of Reconstructionist Judaism in the period between 1935 and 1959 through an examination of ideological writings and institution-building efforts. It focuses on Reconstructionist rhetorical strategies, their efforts to establish a liberal basis of religious authority, and theories of cultural production. It argues that Reconstructionist ideologues helped to create a concept of ethnicity for Jews and non-Jews alike that was distinct both from earlier "racial" constructions or strictly religious understandings of modern Jewish identity.