Bad Jews

A History of American Jewish Politics and Identities

Emily Tamkin

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Hardback

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English

Harper
18 October 2022

History; Social & cultural history; Liberalism & centre democratic ideologies; Conservatism & right-of-centre democratic ideologies; Political structures: democracy

A journalist and author of The Influence of Soros examines the history of Jewish people in America and explores their ever-evolving relationship to the nation’s culture and identity—and each other.

What does it mean to be a Bad Jew?

Many Jews use the term “Bad Jew” as a weapon against other members of the community or even against themselves. You can be called a Bad Jew if you don’t keep kosher; if you only go to temple on Yom Kippur; if you don’t attend or send your children to Hebrew school; if you enjoy Christmas music; if your partner isn’t Jewish; if you don’t call your mother often enough. The list is endless.

In Bad Jews, Emily Tamkin argues that perhaps there is no answer to this timeless question at all. Throughout American history, Jewish identities have evolved and transformed in a variety of ways. The issue of what it means, or doesn’t, to be a Good Jew or a Bad Jew is particularly fraught at this moment, American Jews feel and fear antisemitism is on the rise.. There are several million people who identify as American Jews—but that doesn’t mean they all identify with one another. American Jewish history is full of discussions and debates and hand wringing over who is Jewish, how to be Jewish, and what it means to be Jewish.

In Bad Jews, Emily Tamkin examines the last 100 years of American Jewish politics, culture, identities, and arguments. Drawing on over 150 interviews, she tracks the evolution of Jewishness throughout American history, and explores many of the evolving and conflicting Jewish positions on assimilation; race; Zionism and Israel; affluence and poverty, philanthropy, finance, politics; and social justice. From this complex and nuanced history, Tamkin pinpoints perhaps the one truth about American Jewish identity: It is always changing.

By: Emily Tamkin
Imprint: Harper
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 27mm
Weight: 646g
ISBN: 9780063074019
ISBN 10: 006307401X
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 18 October 2022
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Emily Tamkin is a writer and reporter. Her work has appeared in the Columbia Journalism Review, the Economist, the New Republic, Politico, Slate, and the Washington Post, among other publications. She previously covered foreign affairs on staff at Foreign Policy and BuzzFeed News. She studied Russian literature and culture at Columbia University and Russian and East European studies at the University of Oxford. She researched Soviet dissidence in Moscow, Russia; Tbilisi, Georgia; and, on a Fulbright grant, in Bremen, Germany. She lives in Washington, D.C.

Reviews for Bad Jews: A History of American Jewish Politics and Identities

More than just a much needed reality check on all the wild Soros conspiracies out there, this clever and well-written book shows Soros as a sort of Zelig through whom one can view the history of the 20th and 21st centuries, from Nazi occupied Europe to Obama-era US, and across the rise and destruction of many ideologies. -- Peter Pomerantsev, author of Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible and This Is Not Propaganda The Influence of Soros is a gripping, deeply insightful book. It takes readers behind a thick curtain of confusion and conspiracy theory to shine a light on one of the most fascinating political stories of our time. George Soros, as it turns out, isn't who you think he is. His political project is more profound, and more interesting, than the caricatures portrayed by his many opponents around the world. Emily Tamkin is the perfect tour guide to explore Soros's world. -- Christopher Leonard, author of Kochland With this elegantly written and engaging book, Emily Tamkin coolly sweeps away a thousand conspiracy theories, while never losing sight of all the paradoxes thrown up when a billionaire seeks to buy his way towards an open society. -- Julian Borger, author of The Butcher's Trail: How the Search for Balkan War Criminals Became the World's Most Successful Manhunt A welcome study of a man whose outsize power in the marketplace and public sphere fascinates. -- Kirkus Reviews [Tamkin] offers shrewd insights into the mechanisms by which a person can amass vast wealth and use it to effect change on a global scale. This judicious account cuts through the fog of conspiracy surrounding Soros. -- Publishers Weekly