Transcript Modern Jewish Studies

Review Questions
How did Emancipation impact Jewish
religious life?
 On what ideas did the Reformers and
Positive Historicists base their changes?
 Who was Abraham Geiger? What was his
contribution to religious adaptation?
 What were some of the significant issues
discussed at the rabbinic conferences?

Modern Jewish Studies I
Why and How to Study Judaism
as an Academic Discipline
Modern Jewish Studies
Discussion Groups





Why do you think it is important to study
Judaism? For whom is it important?
How do we study Judaism? (topics, scientifically,
spiritually, emotionally, etc.)
Why do you think colleges have Judaic studies
departments? How might these departments be
similar to/different from women’s studies,
minority studies, history, language departments?
How might the study of Judaism in a college
classroom differ from the study in a synagogue?
What did you, personally, want to get out of this
class?
Study of History

17th Century



Something to be studied
Could help us understand the present
Historians

Job



record what really happened
Isolate facts from fiction
Method


Scientific method
Objectivity and detachment
History and the Enlightenment

Enlightenment



History



Reason is basis of authority
Progress through science and rational thought
Study of history compliments Enlightenment
Free people from prejudice
Wissenschaft (science)
The Jewish Community

Anti – Semitism


Emancipation



Hep! Hep Riots
Assimilate
Take advantage of what society has to offer
Religious Adaptation

Change Judaism to keep up with modern times
Wissenschaft des Judentums

Definition: “The science of Judaism.” Also
sometimes understood as “modern Jewish
studies.” It is the application of the
scientific quest for truth to the study of
Jewish history
Tensions



Faith vs. Science
Alienation vs. Strengthened bonds
Multiple Agendas
1.
2.
3.
Counter Anti-Semitism
Emancipation
Religious Adaptation
Beginnings I:
Verein fur Cultur und Wissenschaft der Juden

Joel Abraham List (1780-1848)



Director of private school for Jewish children
Founder of the Society for the Culture and
Science of the Jews
The Society for the Culture and Science of
the Jews

Members



Leopold Zunz
Abraham Geiger
Eduard Gans
Beginnings II:
Verein fur Cultur und Wissenschaft der Juden

Main Concern: Preserve the Jewish People




Move away from “Rabbinism”
Modern, integrated Jews
Wissenschaft der Judentums – phrase coined here
Specific Goals: Education



Start institutions to study Judaism scientifically
Educate Jews
Training for Jewish children in crafts and agriculture
Next Class
Think about: What could Wissenschaft des
Judentums do for the Jews of Europe?
 Preview:




Different thinkers – Different purposes
Orthodox Reaction
Changes in Jewish Study in the 20th Century