University Press of America
Pages: 508
•
Trim: 6⅛ x 9
978-0-7618-6398-4 • Paperback • July 2014 • $56.99 • (£44.00)
978-0-7618-6399-1 • eBook • July 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
Jack Shechter has created the American version of Continuing Jewish Education and his impact has been enormous. His enterprise has been characterized by vision and high academic standards; it has been pluralistic and diverse; it has been enjoyable and accessible to a searching laity. In years to come, he will be seen educationally as the American Franz Rosenzweig.
— Daniel Landes, rabbi, director of the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem, former director of education of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles
Here is the summing up of a life lived among the great personalities and issues of 20th century American Jewry with a compelling agenda for the 21st century. Rabbi Jack Shechter offers both a stirring story and a deep vision.
— Rabbi David Wolpe
As a faculty member and dean at the University of Judaism (now the American Jewish University) during the time that Rabbi Jack Shechter directed its Department of Continuing Education, I personally witnessed up close the learning venture he built. That venture is accurately depicted in these two volumes. . . . Moreover, this Journey is very much worth taking because Rabbi Shechter’s plethora of experiences and his wisdom should serve as a model for us all in how we too can and should apply the insights and values of Judaism to modernity.
— Elliot Dorff, PhD, rector and distinguished professor of philosophy at the American Jewish University
Dr. Jack Shechter’s book encompasses both theory and practice. As such, it provides the reader with deep substance, much of which is documented as having been actualized in the world of the here and now. Replete with power and pathos, it is a warm and personal account of the author’s life and work as an extraordinarily creative and effective educator.
— Elijah Schochet, rabbi, professor of rabbinic literature at the American Jewish University and author of The Hassidic Movement and the Gaon of Vilna