The Death of American Antisemitism

(Hardback)

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Description

Blakeslee examines the history and current status of Jews and antisemitism in the United States to reveal what we know of antisemitism and the ways in which this knowledge is seriously flawed. He explores the significant historical role antisemitism played in the formation of Jewish advocacy organizations and the subsequent success they enjoyed over several decades of publicly combating antisemitism. He then examines three specific incidents in the 1990s and the ways the advocacy organizations responded. Antisemitic attitudes and incidents in the United States have dropped steadily since the post World War II revelations about the Holocaust. While antisemitism has not disappeared entirely from the American scene, it has dwindled to the point where the Anti-Defamation League considers the average American not antisemitic. Blakeslee probes why, if this statement is accurateand prevailing statistics suggest it isprominent Jewish advocacy organizations continue to lavish so much attention and money on an issue of little actual significance. A provocative study for all sociologists, researchers, and concerned lay people involved with the heated debate over antisemitism, Jewish identity, assimilation, Black-Jewish relations, and organizational studies.

Reviews

.,."as challenging and as interesting as this one should be to any reader interested in the future of American Jewry."-Contemporary Sociology
"The Death of American Antisemitism is a powerful and eloquent declaration about the virtual disappearance of anti-Semitism in American life and a compelling plea that American Jewry and its major organizations shift their concern from a defensive posture....[T]his is a cogent, compelling, and rary predicament of American Jewry."-American Jewish History
...as challenging and as interesting as this one should be to any reader interested in the future of American Jewry.-Contemporary Sociology
A scholarly but highly readable survey of data examining anti-Semitic attitudes and behavior.-The Jewish Advocate
Blakeslee has produced an important analysis of what he calls the JAO(s)' the Jewish advocacy organizations....This provocative presentation deserves careful consideration.-Jewish Journal
The Death of American Antisemitism is a powerful and eloquent declaration about the virtual disappearance of anti-Semitism in American life and a compelling plea that American Jewry and its major organizations shift their concern from a defensive posture....[T]his is a cogent, compelling, and rary predicament of American Jewry.-American Jewish History
This is a thoroughly researched, tightly organized, and lucidly written study.-MultiCultural Review
..."as challenging and as interesting as this one should be to any reader interested in the future of American Jewry."-Contemporary Sociology
"A scholarly but highly readable survey of data examining anti-Semitic attitudes and behavior."-The Jewish Advocate
"Blakeslee has produced an important analysis of what he calls the JAO(s)' the Jewish advocacy organizations....This provocative presentation deserves careful consideration."-Jewish Journal
"This is a thoroughly researched, tightly organized, and lucidly written study."-MultiCultural Review

Author Bio

SPENCER BLAKESLEE teaches sociology at Framingham State College./e Professor Blakeslee has published essays on the Holocaust, Jewish traditions, and Black-Jewish relations. He was coordinator of The Boston Holocaust Study Group from 1993-1998