Public Policy and Social Issues Jewish Sources and Perspectives

Subjects:

• Religious Studies » Religious Studies (General)
• Multicultural Studies » Jewish Studies
• Political Science » Public Policy

Reviews:

• [T]he ability of Jews to adapt politically and survive intact as a people has in part been based on the Jewish ability to infuse the Jewish tradition into the modern world.
  —Jewish Book World Spring 2005
• An excellent resource for understanding the Jewish position, or positions, on controverted social questions, including euthanasia, abortion, sexual ethics, family, welfare, and the market economy....[m]any Jews are indifferent to what is authentically Jewish, but for serious Jews and for public discourse in a society in which Judaism matters, it is useful to lay down the markers that identify a distinctive tradition, whiich is what this book succeeds in doing.
  —The Public Square Aug/Sep 2004

• Endorsement From Senator Joe Lieberman, D-CT: This is just what one would expect from Marshall Breger and the exemplary group of scholars he has assembled: an engaging, insightful, and instructive collection of essays on the lessons our faith teaches about contemporary ethical and political questions, from abortion and welfare to biotechnology and environmental protection. [It] reminds us that no matter how complex, vexing, or partisan the question may seem, we can always find guidance in the timeless wisdom of Jewish law.
• Endorsement From Ira N. Forman
  Executive Director, the National Jewish Democratic Council
  co-editor, Jews IN American Politics: ...All of these essays provide the reader an excellent introduction to traditional Judaism's voice on a number of our nation's most controversial topics. Moreover, the authors present this material in a manner which is accessible and thought provoking for both the scholar and the average reader.
• Endorsement From Herbert I. London
  President, Hudson Institute: Offers lively commentary on the relationship between Jewish tradition and policy perspectives. In my opinion, this book is an indispensable guide to questions of law, tradition, and common sense using the Judaic experience as a backdrop....For anyone curious about how to answer the perplexing questions of our time, e.g. euthanasia, biotechnology, abortion, family responsibility and foreign policy using a canvas of Jewish tradition, this book must be read.
• Endorsement From Norman Lamm
  President, Yeshiva University: ...This volume warrants the attention of all those who are genuinely interested in learning from the sources, no matter what their political orientation, and who are dissatisfied with rhetorical gimmickcry and the substitution of buzzwords for genuine scholarship in too much of what passes for explication on authentic Jewish view.
• Endorsement From Michael Novak, George Frederick Jewett Scholar in Religion, Philosophy, and Public Policy
  American Enterprise Institute: This is an extraordinary set of essays on virtually every hotly discussed issue of American public policy, from abortion through welfare programs. What gives the book a shocking, bracing air is that "a distinctly Jewish public policy" as the Editor puts it, "is going to seem very different from what is generally thought of as American Jewish politics".
• Endorsement From Rabbi David Saperstein
  Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism: Rarely have the rich insights of Jewish law and tradition into America's most urgent domestic and foreign policy challenges been so lucidly presented. Whether you agree with all the political conclusions or not, these essays provide a benchmark for analysis and debate. From Marshall Breger's provocative introduction, through learned discourses on bioethics, the environment, economic justice and international affairs, this volume should be widely used by Jewish and political leaders alike.
• Endorsement From Ken Connor
  President, Family Research Council: While Jews and Christians often start from different religious world views the value systems expressed by the two religions are remarkably similar--especially in areas of personal responsibility, sexual morality, euthanasia and social justice. This volume of essays aptly makes clear that authentic Jewish values often (albeit not always) track "conservative" positions held by traditional Christians. The essays are well-written and make a compelling read.
• Endorsement From Abraham H. Foxman
  National Director, Anti-Defamation League: A fine representation of Judaism as a living tradition rich in values. The book articulates the nuanced pluralism of Jewish tradition, the power of tradition to address the political and ethical issues of modern life, and that at its foundations Judaism aims at the improvement of human life and the world.

Table of Contents:

• Acknowledgments
• Dedication
• Introduction by Marshall J. Breger
• Personal Responsibility: The Foundation of Jewish Ethics by Rabbi Clifford E. Librach
• The Principal of Tikkun Olam and Jewish Public Policy by Hon. Jonathan Sacks
• Sexual Responsibility and Jewish Law by Professor David Novak
• Abortion and Jewish Law by Rabbi Barry Freundel
• Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide in Jewish Law by Steven H. Resnicoff
• Environment in Jewish Law by Dr. Manfred Gerstenfeld
• Welfare Programs and Jewish Law by Professor Aaron Levine
• Free Markets and Jewish Ethics by Meir Tamari
• Genetic Engineering in Jewish Law by Professor Byron Sherwin
• Jewish Family Values by Joshua London
• Judaism, International Relations and American Foreign Policy by Harvey Sicherman
• About the Contributors