Growth of Judaism in the 19th Century Flashcards

1
Q

3 Waves of immigration

A

1st: colonial period - 1820; mostly sephardic jews
2nd: 1820 - 1880; primarily from Germany/around Germany; settled in many areas
3rd: 1881/2 - 1914; from E. Europe and Russia; settled in urban areas

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2
Q

4 challenges Jewish immigrants faced

A

Anti-semistism

Push for assimilation

Where do traditions/Jewish law factor into new environment?

What is “home?”

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3
Q

How did immigration contribute to religious diversity?

A

fewer restrictions in America, more denominations developed out of this environment
- recall Anna Antin’s father, who felt free to speak out against impositions of Orthodox faith

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4
Q

4 Reform Judaism characteristics

A

Celebrated American context - no isolation!

Emphasized development, adaptation, reason, personal autonomy

Less emphasis on traditional laws - focused on the moral/ethical laws of Judaism

Rejected coming messiah

America is home - no return to “homeland”

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5
Q

Important figure of Reform Judasm

A

Isaac Mayer Wise

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6
Q

Pittsburgh Platform Theme

A

only moral laws should be maintained: traditional laws are outdated and don’t fit the American context

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7
Q

What was the trefa Banquet?

A

Highland House Dinner, which two diners rushed out of because ritually forbidden shrimp was served

Isaac Mayer Wise of Hebrew Union College defended oversight of host, then attacked orthodox practice of Kashrut, then asserted new Judaism

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8
Q

What did the Trefa Banquet catalyze? Conservative Reaction to Reform

A

New Judaism asserted; Jewish Theological Seminary Conservatives) split

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9
Q

Stance of Jewish Theological Seminary

A

Push back against Reform Jews, asserting that the true Judaic spirit necessitates strict adherence to Jewish tradition

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10
Q

Reconstructionism: how was it inspired, who was important, what were its 3 dictates

A

American autonomy challenged the Jewish identity

Mordecai Kaplan

  • reassert Jewish identity by adhering to tradition.
  • Judaism is not supernatural
  • Synagogue is a culture center; a place for tradition in keeping with the culture/Jewish identity/heritage
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11
Q

Two other movements that started to develop around this time

A

Zionism and Jewish national movement: remember the homeland

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