From Ideology to Liturgy: Reconstructionist Worship and American Liberal Judaism

Eric Caplan's 2002 book, "From Ideology to Liturgy," examined Reconstructionist Judaism's interpretation and adaptation of the traditional Jewish liturgy and its creation of new prayer texts to convey its changing ideology. This new supplemented reprint edition explores liberal Jewish prayerbooks published since then and revisits Caplan's earlier conclusions in light of more recent access to Mordecai Kaplan's diaries and archives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 467 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2023
Publisher: Hebrew Union College Press,U.S.

Here is the rewritten text:

From Ideology to Liturgy: An Examination of Reconstructionist Interpretation and Adaptation
In his groundbreaking work, From Ideology to Liturgy, Eric Caplan delved into the intricate realm of Reconstructionist Judaism's interpretation and adaptation of the traditional Jewish liturgy. He explored how the movement crafted new prayer texts to effectively convey and express its evolving ideology. To gain further insights, Caplan compared Reconstructionist prayerbooks to contemporaneous liturgies of Reform and Conservative Judaism, as well as to the work of Jewish Renewal.

In this revised and expanded reprint edition, Caplan presents an in-depth exploration of liberal Jewish prayerbooks published in the decades since the original publication of From Ideology to Liturgy. He revisits his earlier conclusions in the light of recent and expanded access to Mordecai Kaplan's diaries and archives, shedding new light on the evolution of Reconstructionist prayer practices.

Through his meticulous research and analysis, Caplan offers a comprehensive examination of the rich tapestry of liberal Jewish prayerbooks, providing a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamic and evolving nature of Jewish liturgy. This revised edition is a testament to Caplan's enduring contribution to the study of Jewish religious practices and beliefs.

Weight: 753g
Dimension: 230 x 153 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780878207015
Edition number: Second edition, with new Preface by the author