The Many Faces of Judaism: Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist & Reform

Plot

Though in some respects dated, Rabbi Gilbert S. Rosenthal's "The Many Faces of Judaism" provides an excellent survey of American Judaism, focusing on the history, ideas, values, and practices of four major movements: Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, and Reform.

The book is particularly sympathetic in its treatment of the Conservative and Reconstructionist movements - perhaps displaying a little bias on Rabbi Rosenthal's part. But Rosenthal knows his subject, and his treatment is generally evenhanded in its coverage of all four movements' history and values. In fact, Rosenthal's fairness and balance may help to explain why he was selected to be Executive Director of the National Council of Synagogues, representing the Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist movements together on Jewish relations with other religious traditions.

Sadly missing is any discussion of American Judaism's fifth major movement, the Humanistic Judaism founded by the Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine.

Although the book is obviously written for classroom instruction of Jewish youth (the publisher offers a teacher's guide and student workbook), I find the text a first-rate introduction for non-Jewish adults. It is clear, informative, and engaging.

And the fact that it is dated in some respects may serve to underscore what it says about the relative alacrity with which the Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist movements may adapt to social change - with the Conservatives perhaps lagging a bit behind Reform Jews and Reconstructionists on issues like the ordination of women rabbis. Each of these movements is in any event alive, dynamic, and engaging the modern world.