Democratizing Judaism [Hardcover]

Democratizing Judaism is a two-part examination of the Reconstructionist philosophy of Mordecai M. Kaplan. Part I is largely devoted to a defense of Kaplan against several serious critics. It also provides new insight into Kaplans theology through reference to hitherto unknown passages in his diaries. Part II provides a critical analysis of the contemporary Reconstructionist movement and explores how a Kaplan disciple treats problems of democracy in Israel and issues of ethical theological concern. When it comes to Mordecai Kaplan, Jack Cohen is the teacher of us all. There is much misunderstanding of Kaplan, with people usually identifying him solely with the basic concepts of his system. Jack Cohen, Kaplans most knowledgeable disciple, goes beyond the basics and in this new work gives us a sense of Kaplans depth and uniqueness. He offers us the full range of Kaplans thought while concentrating on his theology, his Zionism and the similarities between his system and that of the great mystic Abraham Isaac Kook. Few people understand the Kook-Kaplan connection the way Jack Cohen does. Kaplans attitude toward Eretz Yisrael is provocatively idiosyncratic and still extremely valuable for anyone who thinks about Israel in all its complexity. There is no one who knows Kaplans Zionism better than Jack Cohen. The most valuable aspect of this work is that Cohen knew Kaplan first hand over a long period of time and gives us a vivid sense of Kaplan the man. For long-time Kaplan supporters and for neophytes, this book offers a wonderful in-depth summation of Kaplans ideology. Rabbi Dr. Jack J. Cohen has had a long distinguished career as an educator, author and public servant. Before settling in Israel in 1961, he served as the Educational Director of Park Synagogue in Cleveland, the Director of the Jewish Reconstructionist Foundation, and the Rabbi of the Society for the Advancement of Judaism. During the last six and a half years of his tenure in the States, he also talc^