BIBLIO is the largest independent book marketplace in the world, with over 100 million books.

Skip to content

Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism
Stock photo: cover may vary

Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism Hardback - 1995

by Lance J. Sussman

Add to wish list

Reader reviews for Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism

From the publisher

More than any other person of his time, Isaac Leeser 0806-1868) envisioned the development of a major center of Jewish culture and religious activity in the United States. He single-handedly provided American Jews with many of the basic religious texts, institutions, and conceptual tools they needed to construct the cultural foundation of what would later emerge as the largest Jewish community in the history of the Jewish people.

Born in Germany, Leeser arrived in the United States in 1824. At that time, the American Jewish community was still a relatively unimportant outpost of Jewish life. No sustained or coordinated effort was being made to protect and expand Jewish political rights in America. The community was small, weak, and seemingly not interested in evolving into a cohesive, dynamic center of Jewish life. Leeser settled in Philadelphia where he sought to unite American Jews and the growing immigrant community under the banner of modern Sephardic Orthodoxy.

Thoroughly Americanized prior to the first period of mass Jewish immigration to the United States between 1830 and 1854, Leeser served as a bridge between the old native-born and new immigrant American Jews. Among the former, he inspired a handful to work for the revitalization of Judaism in America. To the latter, he was a spiritual leader, a champion of tradition, and a guide to life in a new land.

Leeser had a decisive impact on American Judaism during a career that spanned nearly forty years. The outstanding Jewish religious leader in America prior to the Civil War, he shaped both the American Jewish community and American Judaism. He sought to professionalize the American rabbinate, introduced vernacular preaching into the North American synagogue, and produced the first English language translation of the entire Hebrew Bible. As editor and publisher of The Occident, Leeser also laid the groundwork for the now vigorous and thriving American Jewish press.

Leeser's influence extended well beyond the American Jewish community An outspoken advocate of religious liberty, he defended Jewish civil rights, sought to improve Jewish-Christian relations, and was an early advocate of modern Zionism. At the international level, Leeser helped mobilize Jewish opinion during the Damascus Affair and corresponded with a number of important Jewish leaders in Great Britain and western Europe.

In the first biography of Isaac Leeser, Lance Sussman makes extensive use of archival and primary sources to provide a thorough study of a man who has been largely ignored by traditional histories. Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism also tells an important part of the story of Judaism's response to the challenge of political freedom and social acceptance in a new, modern society Judaism itself was transformed as it came to terms with America, and the key figure in this process was Isaac Leeser.

From the rear cover

More than any other person of his time, Isaac Leeser (1806-1868) envisioned the development of a major center of Jewish culture and religious activity in the United States. He single-handedly provided American Jews with many of the basic religious texts, institutions, and conceptual tools they needed to construct the cultural foundation of what would later emerge as the largest Jewish community in the history of the Jewish people. In the first biography of Isaac Leeser, Lance Sussman makes extensive use of archival and primary sources to provide a thorough study of a man who has been largely ignored by traditional histories. Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism also tells an important part of the story of Judaism's response to the challenge of political freedom and social acceptance in a new, modern society. Judaism itself was transformed as it came to terms with America, and the key figure in this process was Isaac Leeser.

Details

  • Title Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism
  • Author Lance J. Sussman
  • Binding Hardback
  • Edition Later Printing
  • Pages 320
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher American Jewish Civilization Series, Detroit
  • Publication date 1995-10-01
  • Features Dust Cover
  • ISBN 9780814319963 / 0814319963
  • Weight 1.55 lbs (0.70 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.35 x 6.33 x 1 in (23.75 x 16.08 x 2.54 cm)
  • Themes
    • Religious Orientation: Jewish
  • Category Biography / Autobiography
  • Library of Congress subjects Philadelphia (Pa.) - Biography, Judaism - United States - History - 19th
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 95-10952
  • Dewey Decimal Code B

Media reviews

Citations

  • Library Journal, 10/01/1995, Page 87

About the author

Lance J. Sussman is an associate professor at Binghamton University-State University of New York and a rabbi at Temple Concord, a reform synagogue in Binghamton. A Ph.D. from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, he is a coeditor of Reform Judaism: A Biographical Dictionary and Sourcebook (Greenwood Press, 1993).

More Copies for Sale

Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism
Stock photo: cover may vary

Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism

by Sussman, Lance J

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780814319963 / 0814319963
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$13.13
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Wayne State University Press. Used - Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$13.13
Free Delivery to USA
Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism

Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism

by Lance J. Sussman

  • New
  • Hardback
Condition
New
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780814319963 / 0814319963
Quantity available
1016
Seller
Item price
A$55.97
A$15.45 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Hardcover. New. New Book; Fast Shipping from UK; Not signed; Not First Edition; More than any other person of his time, Isaac Leeser 0806-1868) envisioned the development of a major center of Jewish culture and religious activity in the United States. He single-handedly provided American Jews with many of the basic
Add to wish list
Item price
A$55.97
A$15.45 Delivery to USA
Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism

Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism

by Lance J. Sussman

  • New
  • Hardback
Condition
New
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780814319963 / 0814319963
Quantity available
10
Seller
Item price
A$56.91
A$19.24 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Hardback. New. This is a biography of Isaac Leeser, a leading Jewish religious figure in the United States from 1829 until his death in 1868. Making use of archival and primary sources, it provides a study of a man who was responsible for constructing the cultural foundation of the American Jewish community.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$56.91
A$19.24 Delivery to USA
Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism

Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism

by Lance J. Sussman

  • New
  • Hardback
Condition
New
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780814319963 / 0814319963
Quantity available
10
Seller
Item price
A$60.26
A$19.24 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Hardback. New. This is a biography of Isaac Leeser, a leading Jewish religious figure in the United States from 1829 until his death in 1868. Making use of archival and primary sources, it provides a study of a man who was responsible for constructing the cultural foundation of the American Jewish community.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$60.26
A$19.24 Delivery to USA
Isaac Leeser and The Making Of American Judaism
Stock photo: cover may vary

Isaac Leeser and The Making Of American Judaism

by J, Sussman Lance,

  • Used
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780814319963 / 0814319963
Quantity available
5
Seller
Item price
A$48.15
A$5.77 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
like new.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$48.15
A$5.77 Delivery to USA
Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism (American Jewish Civilization)
Stock photo: cover may vary

Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism (American Jewish Civilization)

by Sussman, Lance J

  • Used
  • Hardback
  • first
Condition
Used
Edition
1
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780814319963 / 0814319963
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$51.53
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
American Jewish Civilization Series, 1995-10-01. 1. hardcover. Used: Good. 6.33x1.00x9.35. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$51.53
Free Delivery to USA
Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism (American Jewish Civilization Series)
Stock photo: cover may vary

Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism (American Jewish Civilization Series)

by Lance J. Sussman

  • New
  • Hardback
Condition
New
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780814319963 / 0814319963
Quantity available
2
Seller
Item price
A$79.04
A$48.35 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Wayne State Univ Pr, 1995. Hardcover. New. 311 pages. 9.50x6.25x1.00 inches.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$79.04
A$48.35 Delivery to USA
Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism (American Jewish Civilization)
Stock photo: cover may vary

Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism (American Jewish Civilization)

by Sussman, Lance J

  • New
  • Hardback
  • first
Condition
New
Edition
1
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780814319963 / 0814319963
Quantity available
10
Seller
Item price
A$60.85
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
American Jewish Civilization Series, 1995-10-01. 1. hardcover. New. 6.33x1.00x9.35. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$60.85
Free Delivery to USA
Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism (American Jewish Civilization)
Stock photo: cover may vary

Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism (American Jewish Civilization)

by Sussman, Lance J.

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardback
Condition
Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780814319963 / 0814319963
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$68.25
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
hardcover. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$68.25
Free Delivery to USA
Isaac Leeser and The Making Of American Judaism
Stock photo: cover may vary

Isaac Leeser and The Making Of American Judaism

by J, Sussman Lance,

  • New
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780814319963 / 0814319963
Quantity available
5
Seller
Item price
A$69.48
A$5.77 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
new.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$69.48
A$5.77 Delivery to USA