Reflections on Jewish Studies, Twenty Years Later

Publication Date: January 2008

Publisher: Association for Jewish Studies; Association for Jewish Studies

Author(s): Howard Tzvi Adelman; Howard Tzvi Adelman

Research Area: Culture and religion; Education

Keywords: Academic Research; Diaspora relations; Israel advocacy; Methodology

Type: Other

Coverage: United States United States

Abstract:

The author discusses the place of critical questioning in the academic field of Judaic studies, especially as pertain to the study of Israel and Zionism. The author strongly advocates the inclusion of nuance and critical examination, in keeping with broader academic traditions, in Jewish studies, even though he notes that many Jewish leaders (especially in America) insist that Jewish studies ought not to engage in criticism of Israel.