The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, Volume 7: National Renaissance and International Horizons, 1880–1918

The Posen Library Volume 7 captures the transformations of Jewish culture during mass migration, global capitalism, nationalism, revolution, and the birth of the secular self. It includes mystical visions, antitraditional Jewish political thought, cookbooks, literary criticism, modernist poetry, and vaudeville. It also highlights the audacious effort by newly secular Jews to replace Judaism with a new kind of Jewish culture centered on worldly, aesthetic creativity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 1400 pages
Publication date: 23 January 2024
Publisher: Yale University Press

Between 1880 and 1918, a period of immense transformation marked the world, as traditions and regimes crumbled, migration and imperialism reshaped the lives of millions, nationalism and secularization transformed individuals and communities, utopias beckoned, and new forms of social conflict emerged as never before. Among the communities that bore the brunt of these changes was the Jewish world. This seventh volume in The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization seeks to recapture the vibrant Jewish cultural creativity, political aspirations, social experiments, and contentious religious and secular thought that flourished amidst these challenges.

Editors Israel Bartal and Kenneth B. Moss have assembled a comprehensive collection that encompasses a wide range of Jewish expressions in a centrifugal age. From mystical visions to unabashedly antitraditional Jewish political thought, from cookbooks to literary criticism, from modernist poetry to vaudeville, this volume showcases the diverse tapestry of Jewish thought and creativity.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the 1880–1918 era was the audacious endeavor by newly secular Jews to replace Judaism itself with a new kind of Jewish culture. This vision was centered on the creation of a "Jewish nation" and the secular, modern, and "free" individuals who composed it. The editors highlight this transformative effort, which sought to forge a Jewish identity that was rooted in this-worldly, aesthetic creativity rather than traditional religious observance.

This volume serves as an essential starting point for anyone seeking to understand the complex and divided Jewish present. It provides a rich and nuanced perspective on the era, offering insights into the social, cultural, and political forces that shaped the Jewish world during this pivotal period. By exploring the diverse expressions of Jewish culture and thought, this volume sheds light on the ongoing struggle for Jewish identity and the complex interplay between tradition and modernity.

In conclusion, The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization: Volume 7, Between 1880 and 1918, offers a captivating glimpse into the transformative era that marked the Jewish world. Through its comprehensive collection of Jewish expressions and thought, this volume provides a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in understanding the complex and multifaceted history of Judaism.

Weight: 2692g
Dimension: 214 x 266 x 60 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300230215