Bad Jews: A History of American Jewish Politics and Identities

 Bad Jews: A History of American Jewish Politics and Identities by Emily Tamkin

American Jews are white, but also a minority. Jewish people will often identify other Jews as "Bad Jews" for different reasons. Neo-cons will see the typical Democrat Jews as going against Jewish needs. Orthodox, Reform and Conservative Jews all have things to criticize for other types of Jews. There is concern about Jews intermarrying and losing their Jewishness. Israelis and Jews from other countries are significantly different from other Jews. Many Jews want to assimilate into American culture and be seen as Americans with a different religion. However, there are also desires to follow other cultures (like blacks) and advocate for the strong Jewish identity. (Jews have been significantly over-represented in the civil rights movement.) Things are complicated. Jews have taken advantage of education opportunities and grown to significant leadership roles in society, yet 20% of Jews live in poverty. Jews have taken hold of the suburban dream, yet are still a bit different. Tropes of rich and stingy Jews remain with concerns of Jews trying to buy religions. Jews are fairly integrated into society, yet still apart. The Jewish place in American (and Jewish) culture is complicated.