In his brilliantly incisive introduction to his latest book, Judaism for Everyone, professor of sociology at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Bernardo Sorj, speaks of the crisis in Judaism as follows,

…….. it conceals “the tensions between the diversity of identities* and between particularist and universalist loyalties that are present within each person. These tensions exist and will only disappear on the day---if that day ever comes---that Judaism’s** humanity lives in harmony. Until then, the circuits of fidelity and solidarity will be diverse and, at times full of conflict. Identity with the suffering and the joy of others weigh differently according to our various identities, familial, religious, regional and national ethic. Instead of concealing their tensions it’s important to clarify them to understand how they express themselves and, thus, we can seek greater comprehension of our own internal contradictions and our complex place in Jewish** society.”

* Interpretation: denominational identities
** Particularized during editing

In pursuit of its pluralistic mandate and with the concept, “A Jew is a Jew,” including those who have not morphed their Judaism into the modern age of naturalism and reason, the IFSHJ offers the following resource guide* and anthology for Jew and non-Jew in order explore and/or understand the ubiquitous wonders of Judaism and find “their place in Jewish society.”

*Courtesy Rabbi Jack Bemporad, the Ollendorff Center

Links on Making a Difference

Jewish Journals and Portals

Contemplate: www.culturaljudaism.org/ccj/articles
Free Judaism (Yahadut Chofshit): www.free-judaism.org
Plurielles: www.ajhl.org
Tkasim, Portal of Jewish Secular Rites: www.tkasim.org.il

Jewish History

Hebrew History Federation: www.hebrewhistory.info
American Jewish Historical Society: www.ajhs.org/publications/chapters/index.cfm
Center For Jewish History: www.cjh.org
350 Years of American Jewish History: www.350th.org/history/timeline.html
American Jewish Historical Society: www.ajhs.org

Anti-Semitism Through History

Anti-Defamation League: www.adl.org
Florida Holocaust Museum Timeline: fcit.usf.edu/holocaust/timeline/timeline.htm
SICSA/The Hebrew University of Jerusalem: sicsa.huji.ac.il/studies.html
Southern Poverty Law Center: www.splcenter.org/intel/hatewatch
Czarist Pogroms: www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-pogrom.html
The Dreyfuss Affair: www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/anti-semitism/Dreyfus.html
The Leo Frank Case: www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/anti-semitism/frank.html
The Nazi Holocaust: www.ushmm.org/wlc/en
"Fate Did Not Let Me Go": www.fatedidnotletmego.org/main.html
The Anne Frank Center USA: www.annefrank.com
National Conference On Soviet Jewry: www.sovietjewry.org

Famous Jews

Jewish Politicians: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Jewish_American_politicians
Jewish Actors/Celebrities: www.juf.org/tweens/celebrities.aspx
Jewish Athletes: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Jewish_American_sportspeople
Jews in Rock Music: www.myjewishlearning.com/culture/2/Music.html

Judaism & American Democracy

The Constitution: www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html
Declaration of Independence: www.ourdocuments.gov
House of Representatives: www.house.gov/house/Educate.shtml
United States Senate: www.senate.gov

Summer Camps

Camp Kinder Ring of the Workmen's Circle: www.campkr.com
Circle Lodge of the Workmen's Circle: www.campkr.com/content.php
Camp Keshet: www.keshet.org