Review fo Race, Ethnicity, and Religion in American Jewish Identity: "The Price of Whiteness: Jews, Race, and American Identity"

Publication Date: October 2006

Publisher: Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs

Author(s): Chaim I. Waxman

Research Area: Culture and religion

Keywords: Jewish identification; Publications; Race; History

Type: Book review

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

The author reviews "The Price of Whiteness: Jews, Race, and American Identity" by Eric L. Goldstein. Goldstein asserts that American Jews' definition of the Jewish collectivity has undergone significant changes over the past two centuries, reflecting their varying sense of security in American society. Waxman compares Goldstein's view with that of Charles Liebman, asserting that both Goldstein and Liebman fail to appreciate that this issue transcends both American Jewish history and the paradigm of black-white racial categories; rather, Waxman asserts, the tensions of Jewish identity definition have been present throughout Jewish history.