Israel Finestein – författare

All of the essays in this book were previously published. Topics deal with the changing populations in England during that period which were caused by mass immigration. The post-Emancipation tensions within the Jewish community and the role of such leaders as Sir Moses Montefiore and Sir George Kessel, the noted juris, are elaborated on.

Israel Finestein examines the contrasts between the realities of Jewish life in what was - at the end of the last century - described as the lower strata of the community and the aspirations of the self-consciously anglicized Jewish leadership. The author seeks to unfold the springs of action of these years, and reveal the onset of those problems of identity, purpose and assmiliation which are under debate at the end of the millennium.

Israel Finestein examines the contrasts between the realities of Jewish life in what was - at the end of the last century - described as the lower strata of the community and the aspirations of the self-consciously anglicized Jewish leadership. The author seeks to unfold the springs of action of these years, and reveal the onset of those problems of identity, purpose and assmiliation which are under debate at the end of the millennium.

This volume consists of articles by Israel Finestein written over a period of more than fifty years. He was throughout a close observer of the Jewish scene and latterly a prominent participant. These wide-ranging studies graphically present significant features of Jewish public life in Anglo-Jewry or bearing upon that community. They include appraisals of conflicting attitudes within both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; the author's contemporary impressions of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, of which he first became a member in 1945, written in 1948-9; his assessments of transformations in priorities during the second half of the 20th century; the role of the Jewish intellectual and biographical studies or character portrayals of leading personalities, including Sir Isaiah Berlin, Sir Arthur Goodhart, Dr Vivian Lipman and Israel Zangwill. Judge Finestein writes as a historian with often personal knowledge of whom and of what he describes. This insightful and readable work, of human interest, is meant for the general reader as much as for the Jewish communal activist or scholar.

This volume consists of articles by Israel Finestein written over a period of more than fifty years. He was throughout a close observer of the Jewish scene and latterly a prominent participant. These wide-ranging studies graphically present significant features of Jewish public life in Anglo-Jewry or bearing upon that community. They include appraisals of conflicting attitudes within both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; the author's contemporary impressions of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, of which he first became a member in 1945, written in 1948-9; his assessments of transformations in priorities during the second half of the 20th century; the role of the Jewish intellectual and biographical studies or character portrayals of leading personalities, including Sir Isaiah Berlin, Sir Arthur Goodhart, Dr Vivian Lipman and Israel Zangwill. Judge Finestein writes as a historian with often personal knowledge of whom and of what he describes. This insightful and readable work, of human interest, is meant for the general reader as much as for the Jewish communal activist or scholar.

Cecil Roth was the first Anglo-Jewish historian to become a household name. In addition to his numerous books Roth wrote many articles for a wide range of journals in Britain and overseas, notably in America, on Jewish life and history. This volume comprises a substantial collection of them, selected for their special and continuing Jewish appeal and human interest, none of which have appeared in book form before. Roth loved travel and his many journeys to Europe inevitably included visits to regions of past or then current Jewish residence. He was an acute observer of scenes, people, atmosphere and change. Characteristic of his approach are his historical accounts of some, to us, curious observances of familiar Jewish festivals in different localities he visited. Typical of his article titles are 'Was Hebrew ever a Dead Language', 'England and the Ninth of Av', 'Was there ever a Ban on Jews Returning to Spain' and 'Paradoxes of Jewish History'. Of particular interest is the first article in the book, written in 1932, entitled 'Opportunities that Pass: A Plea for the Study of Disappearing Customs and Folklore'. Was it an unwitting prophecy, or did he have an observer's and historian's presentiment of what lay ahead. Cecil Roth was a unique personality. He gave of his best in whatever he did. He achieved much. This volume is edited with affectionate respect by Israel Finestein and Cecil's nephew, Joseph Roth.