Peace, Justice, and Jews: Reclaiming Our Tradition

by Murray Polner and Stefan Merken

In this landmark collection of contemporary Jewish thought, Polner and Merken have drawn on the work of a wide variety of thinkers and activists in Israel and the U.S., including political... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1933480157
• ISBN13: 9781933480152
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: Bunim & Bannigan Ltd
• Length: 338 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.6" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

I found this book extremely heartening.

As an American and a conscientious objector, I have long been troubled by the partisanship of my own government and the apparent lack of basic human understanding demonstrated by all sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I have often wondered, where the bridge builders are so desperately needed to span these raging waters. I am pleased to find many of them speaking with passion and eloquence from the pages of this worthy book. I recommend Peace, Justice, and Jews to anyone in search of hope, not only in this, but in all struggles in which people seem to have forsaken the noblest principles of their own faiths.

This is a wonderful book!

I especially appreciated David Howard's essay "Why I Won't Go to Israel." Many thanks to all the authors for reminding us of the Jewish calling to do justice, and to speak the truth about these central issues of our time.

wrestle with essentials

As a conscientious objector imprisoned for refusing to soldier during the Vietnam War, I revisited----while reading these essays----the questions encountered whenever we face life and death decisions. Not just our own life and death, but that of our fellow human beings, particularly those designated, by whichever leader happens to be in power, as enemies of our nation. As less than human. As legitimate targets for hatred and destruction. Living in a culture that aims to draw us away from contemplating the tougher, more significant issues of being human, and into entertainment and consumption, it is refreshing to encounter writers like these who wrestle with essentials. These essays helped me recall the sense of vitality and passion experienced during my own struggle as a conscientious objector. Anyone who wrestles with issues of peace and justice, is interested in a peaceful resolution of hostilities in the Middle East, or wants to know more of the diversity and depth of Jewish thought on peace and justice, will be wise to read this book.

Prophetic responses to the Jewish expereince of the last two generations

Like all anthologies, the book is a little uneven. But its best dozen essays are VERY good. If you have been wondering what your sunday school teacher or your rabbi refused to tell you about Jewish critiques of Israeli policy or US policy, about failures to seek peace & pursue it or to seek just goals by just means, this book will open a locked closet filled with unexpected light. (Disclosure: I wrote 2 of the essays included.) -- Rabbi Arthur Waskow, The Shalom Center -- www.shalomctr.org. -- Awaskow@shalomctr.org