University Press of America
Pages: 516
•
Trim: 6¼ x 9
978-0-7618-6396-0 • Paperback • August 2014 • $56.99 • (£44.00)
978-0-7618-6397-7 • eBook • August 2014 • $54.00 • (£42.00)
Jack Shechter served as associate professor of Biblical Studies and Dean of Continuing Education at the University of Judaism, now the American Jewish University, for two decades. Prior to his tenure at the University of Judaism, he served as executive director of the New England Region of the United Synagogue of America, followed by a decade as the Rabbi of Congregation B’nai Israel in Pittsburgh. He was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary and received his PhD in Biblical Studies from the University of Pittsburgh, and is the author of The Land of Israel: Its Theological Dimensions (University Press of America, 2010).
Introduction
Chapter One: Early Influences
Chapter Two: Mentors
Chapter Three: From Orthodox to Conservative
Chapter Four: The Synagogue
Chapter Five: The Rabbinate
Chapter Six: The Jewish Community
Chapter Seven: The Conservative Movement
Chapter Eight: The Imperatives of Learning
Chapter Nine: Translating Learning Imperatives into Action
Appendix One: Table of Contents For Volume Two of Journey of a Rabbi
Appendix Two: Comments About Journey of a Rabbi—Volumes One and Two and About the Author’s Work
About the Author
Rabbi Jack Shechter is one of the unsung heroes of the American Conservative rabbinate. His long career as a creative Jewish educator and administrator shaped untold thousands of Jewish lives. Here Rabbi Shechter shares with readers the story of his life and work, as well as his stimulating thoughts concerning the rabbinate, the Conservative movement, Jewish education, the American Jewish community, and the meaning of Jewish life. The literature on twentieth-century American Judaism is greatly enriched by this instructive work.
— Jonathan Sarna Ph.D, Professor of American Jewish history, Brandeis University, author of American Judaism: A History
In Journey of a Rabbi, Rabbi Jack Shechter tells the fascinating story of his own Jewish religious journey and provides a remarkably insightful and learned analysis of the challenges and prospects facing the synagogue, the rabbinate, religious denominations, and Jewish education now and in the future. Drawing upon a lifetime of learning and experience as a pulpit rabbi and seminary educator, this work is a tour-de-force that will fascinate and instruct everyone interested in the past and present of the Jewish people in North America.
— Rabbi David Ellenson, President, Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion
We live in a time of pervasive change; every aspect of culture and continuity is up for grabs. Fortunately, we have a scholar of great practical wisdom, a teacher with years of experience to share insights, counsel and knowledge to illumine our way. Jack Shechter is such a rabbi. His distillation of his thoughts offers a clear analysis and prioritization. Each reader will be a beneficiary of having shared a Journey of a Rabbi.
— Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, Dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, Vice President of American Jewish University
Rabbi Shechter has given us an intimate portrait of the American Jewish community over a long and distinguished career, and we have reason to be grateful for it.
— Harold Kushner, rabbi, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People