Modern Jewish History: The Search for Jewish Identity

Orthodox Judaism Today: Samuel Belkin

Mar 22, 1960

Author, lecturer, and philosopher Dr. Eugene Borowitz explores how Orthodox Judaism exists in the modern world. This lecture is part of a series exploring the modern Jewish identity. Borowitz argues that Jewish culture and identity are inherently tied to religion and that in the early twentieth century American Jews often tried to reject this identity and orthodoxy as Judaism was seen as “the religion of the immigrant.” After World War II however, Borowitz argues that Americans in general, especially Jews, turned back towards religion and tradition. He contends that in the modern world, therefore, “modern Orthodoxy means coming to terms with the intellectual and legal aspects of being a Jew.” The lecture is followed with questions from the audience.

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