Despite 3000 years of history, Jews still argue over who is a Jew. Abrams addresses a lot of the issues surrounding this: Judaism as a religion vs. as a culture, intermarriage, et al. He also addresses how these ideas apply to American history, culture, and politics. To his credit, he states his biases up front, but he also does a good job backing up his assertions with surveys and anecdotes that, at least for me, resonated.

The book is well-written and an easy read, which is a compliment for a book with an academic tone. Abrams' analysis of the generational patterns of American Jews maintaining or losing their Jewish identity are quite right, and a must read for any Jew who wants Jewish grandchildren. Some of Abrams' arguments were less convincing.

Whatever your reaction to the book, the discussion will never end. (Insert your favorite Jewish mother or Jewish guilt joke here). This book represents a productive contribution to that discussion, and as such I recommend it to anyone who is concerned with personal or societal Jewish identity.

Abrams' unflinching clarity, wisdom, brilliance, responsibility, and calm are equally evident in his writing and in his eyes (see book jacket). His book, rich with meticulously documented references and chapters organized with the grace of rivers flowing into the sea, held me in thrall; it was over too soon! (We love to read someone else's case for our existing opinions.)

After my own vain efforts to bridge the rift between Right and Left, observant and downright anti-religious, I had recently concluded that the anti-religious Left is a branch best left to die. Abrams addresses my conclusion. Liberals ignore this book at their peril. My burning questions: (1) From a theological perspective, wouldn't a non-anti-Jewish Christianity cease to be Christianity at all?, and (2) What is it -- a yeshiva education? -- that creates a person so clear-sighted, unrelentingly logical, and pleasantly articulate as the author?

pk