
Jews and the Sporting Life
Studies in Contemporary Jewry XXIII
Ezra Mendelsohn(Editor)
Oxford University Press Inc
Published on 23. April 2009
Book
Hardback
304 pages
978-0-19-538291-4 (ISBN)
Description
Volume XXIII of the distinguished annual Studies in Contemporary Jewry explores the role of sports in modern Jewish history. The centrality of sports in modern life--in popular and even in high culture, in economic life, in the media, in international and national politics, and in forging ethnic identities--can hardly be exaggerated, but in the field of Jewish studies this subject has been somewhat neglected, at least until recently. Students of American Jewish history, for example, often emphasize the role of sports in the Americanization of the immigrants, while students of Jewish nationalism pay closer attention to its appeal for the regeneration of the Jewish nation, as well as the creation of a new, healthy, Jewish body.
The essays brought together in Jews and the Sporting Life expand the body of knowledge about the place sports occupied, and continue to occupy, in Jewish life. They examine the connection between sports and Jewish nationalism, particularly Zionism, and how organized Jewish sports have been an agent of nation-building. They consider the role of Jews as owners of sports teams, as amateur and professional athletes, and as fans and bettors. Other themes include sports and Jewish literature, and boxing as a sport that enabled Jewish men to prove their masculinity in a world that often stereotyped them as weak and "feminine." This volume concentrates on twentieth century developments in Israel, Europe, and the United States.
The essays brought together in Jews and the Sporting Life expand the body of knowledge about the place sports occupied, and continue to occupy, in Jewish life. They examine the connection between sports and Jewish nationalism, particularly Zionism, and how organized Jewish sports have been an agent of nation-building. They consider the role of Jews as owners of sports teams, as amateur and professional athletes, and as fans and bettors. Other themes include sports and Jewish literature, and boxing as a sport that enabled Jewish men to prove their masculinity in a world that often stereotyped them as weak and "feminine." This volume concentrates on twentieth century developments in Israel, Europe, and the United States.
Reviews / Votes
[Studies in Contemporary Jewry] has quickly established itself as one of the most important yearly publications in the world of Jewish scholarship. * American Jewish Archives * A welcome addition to the literature on contemporary Jewry. The series serves the needs of the intelligent layman as well as the scholar and The Hebrew University's Institute of Contemporary Jewry, which sponsors the project, can be proud of its achievement. * The Jerusalem Post *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Illustrations
7 halftones
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
625 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-538291-4 (9780195382914)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
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E-Book
03/2009
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€25.49
Available for download

E-Book
03/2009
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€19.99
Available for download
Person
The Studies in Contemporary Jewry series is edited by Jonathan Frankel, Eli Lederhendler, Peter Y. Medding, and Ezra Mendelsohn, who teach Jewish history, society, and politics at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Ezra Mendelsohn, the editor of Volume XXIII, is Professor Emeritus at the Institute of Contemporary Jewry at Hebrew University. He is author of On Modern Jewish Politics, among other titles.
Editor
Professor Emeritus, Institute of Contemporary JewryProfessor Emeritus, Institute of Contemporary Jewry, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Content
Symposium: Jews and the Sporting Life
Sander L. Gilman (Emory University): Thoughts on the Jewish Body, Baseball, and the Problem of Integration
Diethelm Blecking (Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat): Jews and Sports in Poland before the Second World War
Gabriel N. Finder (University of Virginia): "Boxing for Everyone": Jewish DPs, Sports, and Boxing
Michael Alexander (University of California, Riverside): The Jewish Bookmaker: Gambling, Legitimacy, and the American Political Economy
Jeffrey S. Gurock, (Yeshiva University): Pride and Priorities: American Jewry's Response to Hakoah Vienna's U.S. Tour of 1926
Edward S. Shapiro (Seton Hall University): From Participant to Owner: The Role of Jews in Contemporary American Sports
Anat Helman (The Hebrew University): Sports in the Young State of Israel
Tamir Sorek, (University of Florida): Why Did Beit Shean Let Betar Win?: Latent Ethnic Solidarity and the Sports Ethic in Israel
Sergio DellaPergola (The Hebrew University): Dream and Disenchantment: Massimo Della Pergola and the Invention of the Italian Totocalcio
Essays
Matthew Silver (Max Stern College of Emek Yezreel): Reflections from "Hutz La'aretz": Responses of Reform Rabbis to Israeli Statehood
Jan Schwarz (University of Chicago): 1953/1954: A Year in Yiddish Literature
Review Essays
Aharon Klieman: Denigrating Israel, Israeli Style
Daniel Blatman: Polish Antisemitism: A National Psychosis?
Book Reviews
Sander L. Gilman (Emory University): Thoughts on the Jewish Body, Baseball, and the Problem of Integration
Diethelm Blecking (Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat): Jews and Sports in Poland before the Second World War
Gabriel N. Finder (University of Virginia): "Boxing for Everyone": Jewish DPs, Sports, and Boxing
Michael Alexander (University of California, Riverside): The Jewish Bookmaker: Gambling, Legitimacy, and the American Political Economy
Jeffrey S. Gurock, (Yeshiva University): Pride and Priorities: American Jewry's Response to Hakoah Vienna's U.S. Tour of 1926
Edward S. Shapiro (Seton Hall University): From Participant to Owner: The Role of Jews in Contemporary American Sports
Anat Helman (The Hebrew University): Sports in the Young State of Israel
Tamir Sorek, (University of Florida): Why Did Beit Shean Let Betar Win?: Latent Ethnic Solidarity and the Sports Ethic in Israel
Sergio DellaPergola (The Hebrew University): Dream and Disenchantment: Massimo Della Pergola and the Invention of the Italian Totocalcio
Essays
Matthew Silver (Max Stern College of Emek Yezreel): Reflections from "Hutz La'aretz": Responses of Reform Rabbis to Israeli Statehood
Jan Schwarz (University of Chicago): 1953/1954: A Year in Yiddish Literature
Review Essays
Aharon Klieman: Denigrating Israel, Israeli Style
Daniel Blatman: Polish Antisemitism: A National Psychosis?
Book Reviews