The seventh volume of the acclaimed annual publication of the Institute of Contemporary Jewry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jews and Messianism in the Modern Era: Metaphor and Meaning examines the significance and meaning of messianic metaphors, themes, and ideals in modern Jewish history and culture. In addition to the standard symposia, book reviews, and lists of recent dissertations in Jewish studies, the volume includes contributions from such noted scholars of Jewish history as Jody Elizabeth Myerson on the messianic idea and Zionist ideologies; Aviezer Ravitsky on Zionism and the state of Israel as anti-messianic undertakings; Yaacov Shavit on realism and messianism in Zionism and the Yishuv; Hannan Hever on poetry and messianism in Palestine between the two world wars; Paul Mendes-Flohr on Jewish theological responses to political messianism in the Weimar Republic; and Richard Wolin on Jewish secular messianism.

This is the seventh volume of the annual publication of the Institute of Contemporary Jewry. The editors are distinguished professors at the Hebrew University, and the international review and advisory boards for the annual include most of the major scholars of Jewish history in the world. Jews and Messianism in the Modern Era examines the significance and meaning of messianic metaphors, themes, and ideals in modern Jewish history and culture. Contents: Jody Elizabeth Myers: The Messianic Idea and Zionist Ideologies; Aviezer Ravitzky: Forcing the End: Zionism and the State of Israel as Anti-Messianic Undertakings; Yaacov Shavit: Realism and Messianism in Zionism and the Yishuv; Hannan Hever: Poetry and Messianism in Palestine between the Two World Wars; Paul Mendes-Flohr: `The Stronger the Better': Jewish Theological Responses to Political Messianism in the Weimar Republic; Richard Wolin: Reflection on Jewish Secular Messianism; The volume also contains essays, book reviews, and a list of recent dissertations in the field.

This is the seventh volume of the annual publication of the Institute of Contemporary Jewry. The editors are distinguished professors at the Hebrew University, and the international review and advisory boards for the annual include most of the major scholars of Jewish history in the world. Jews and Messianism in the Modern Era examines the significance and meaning of messianic metaphors, themes, and ideals in modern Jewish history and culture. Contents: Jody Elizabeth Myers: The Messianic Idea and Zionist Ideologies; Aviezer Ravitzky: Forcing the End: Zionism and the State of Israel as Anti-Messianic Undertakings; Yaacov Shavit: Realism and Messianism in Zionism and the Yishuv; Hannan Hever: Poetry and Messianism in Palestine between the Two World Wars; Paul Mendes-Flohr: `The Stronger the Better': Jewish Theological Responses to Political Messianism in the Weimar Republic; Richard Wolin: Reflection on Jewish Secular Messianism; The volume also contains essays, book reviews, and a list of recent dissertations in the field.

The sixth volume of the annual publication of the Institute for Contemporary Jewry at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Art and Its Uses analyzes the levels of meaning present in a wide range of visual images, from high art by Jewish artists to Judaica, caricatures, and political propaganda. The use of such material to illuminate aspects of modern history and society is rather uncommon in the field of modern Jewish studies; these essays provide the tools necessary for understanding the image in its proper social and political context. The distinguished contributors include Richard I. Cohen, Michael Berkowitz, Milly Heyd, Irit Rogoff, Chone Shmeruk, Ziva Amishai-Maisels, Vivianne Barsky, and Vivian Mann. Accompanied by more than 160 illustrations, the essays shed new light on such topics as Jewish nationalism, Jewish identity, and Jewish-gentile relations. In addition to the symposium, the volume contains articles by major scholars of contemporary Jewish studies, a substantial book review section, and a list of recent dissertations in the field.

Religious violence has become one of the most pressing issues of our time. Robert Eisen provides the first comprehensive analysis of Jewish views on peace and violence by examining texts in five major areas of Judaism - the Bible, rabbinic Judaism, medieval Jewish philosophy, Kabbalah, and modern Zionism. He demonstrates that throughout its history, Judaism has consistently exhibited ambiguity regarding peace and violence. To make his case, Eisen presents two distinct analyses of the texts in each of the areas under consideration: one which argues that the texts in question promote violence toward non-Jews, and another which argues that the texts promote peace. His aim is to show that both readings are valid and authentic interpretations of Judaism. Eisen also explores why Judaism can be read both ways by examining the interpretive techniques that support each reading. The Peace and Violence of Judaism will be an essential resource not only for students of Judaism, but for students of other religions. Many religions exhibit ambiguity regarding peace and violence. This study provides a model for analyzing this important phenomenon.

Inventing New Beginnings is the first book-length study to examine the conceptual underpinnings of the "Jewish Renaissance," or "return" to Judaism, that captured much of German-speaking Jewry between 1890 and 1938. The book addresses two very fundamental, yet hitherto strangely understated, questions: What did the term "renaissance" actually mean to the intellectuals and ideologues of the "Jewish Renaissance," and how did this understanding relate to wider currents in European intellectual and cultural history of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries? It also addresses the larger question of how we can contemplate "renaissance" as a mode of thought that is conditioned by the consciousness and experience of modernity and that extends to our present time.

This book explores the ways in which the Jewish backgrounds of leading Frankfurt School Critical Theorists shaped their lives, work, and ideas.