American Jewish Films: The Search for Identity

by Lawrence J. Epstein

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Book cover for American Jewish Films

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This is a thematic survey of American films with significant Jewish content that made an important statement about America. Both familiar and lesser known films are included. An introduction discusses why American Jews were attracted to films as audiences, performers and business people, and evaluates how films help audiences think about their lives. The book then focuses on themes and representative and important films, placing them in their cultural contexts. One of the aspects of American Jewish life brought out by the films in general is the tensions between an American and a Jewish identity and between a Jewish identity and a broader human identity. Other themes are assimilation and acculturation, interfaith relations, Israel, marriage and family relations, the role of women, Jews and American politics, and anti-Semitism including the Holocaust.

  • ISBN10 0786469625
  • ISBN13 9780786469628
  • Publish Date 6 May 2013
  • Publish Status Active
  • Publish Country US
  • Imprint McFarland & Co Inc
  • Format Paperback (US Trade)
  • Pages 224
  • Language English