Religion and Social Work in the North American Jewish Community

Publication Date: June 1957

Publisher: Jewish Communal Service Association of North America

Author(s): B.H. Chetkow

Research Area: Culture and religion; Social conditions

Keywords: Rabbinic Counseling; Religious denominations; Social Services; Assimilation

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

The author describes the reactions of the Orthodox, Reform and Conservative denominations of Judaism to the increasingly secularized and assimilating situation of Jews in North America, with an emphasis on the roles of synagogues and rabbis. He asserts that while there is some commonality between the roles of rabbi and social worker, there are also fundamental differences. Furthermore, the author explains, social workers and rabbis are somewhat reluctant to counsel their respective clients to make use of the other's skills and expertise. This ice is beginning to break, however, according to the author.

In Journal of Jewish Communal Service, ed. by Sanford Sherman, v.33, no.4, Summer 1957, p.359-365.