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Title: Schmoozing: The Private Conversations of American Jews by Joshua Halberstam ISBN: 0-399-52157-7 Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group Pub. Date: 01 October, 1997 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.8 (5 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Candid and honest remarks on a variety of topics.
Comment: SCHMOOZING discusses the attitudes, private opinions and behaviors of individuals in the American Jewish community. There are contributions from the whole spectrum of Jewry, from Chassids to atheists. Dr. Halberstam, remains relativly neutral and is very informative in his comments. He keeps the pace moving quickly, and conveys the information here in an anecdotal manner. Most of the Jews that are quoted, however, respond to an issue with an overwhelming tirade of self-aggrandizment, vindication and pomp. The book is divided into sections dealing with Jews' attitudes on a variety of topics.
Starting with money, Jews acknowledge their skills with businesses, but feel unconfortable when non-Jews talk about it. Jews (as always) suspect anti-Semitism. Jews are also very self-conscious about their intellectual strength (25% of the Ivy League School students are Jewish, Halberstam calls it the "Oy Vey League"). Jewish guilt complexes, as personified by Woody Allen are looked at. In sexual behavior, Halberstam quotes a study revealing that Jews have intercourse with more partners and more frequently with these partners than any other ethnic group. Jews and Christians have completely different perceptions of sexual morality. Jewish sages have nearly without exception been married, but top-tier Western thinkers have (except for John Stuart Mill) always been celibate. The stereotypes of American Jewish men and women are discussed in this context. Here's something interesting about how Jews view their intellects and physical bodies: to think like a gentile is bad, to look like a gentile is good.
More controversial parts of SCHMOOZING deal with the American Jewish community's attitudes towards Jewish "traitors" and non-Jews. There are three groupings of traitors: the Jews for Jesus or other Jews who convert to Christianity, Jews who are anti-Israel, and Jews who deny the Holocaust. Noam Chomsky appears to be Jewish traitor #1 according to one of Halberstam's friends. Halberstam does not use the term "Holocaust" as much as he uses the more reverential Hebrew term the "Shoah." Jews have a strong suspicion of non-Jews. The Jewish community has had certain enemies. There is Hitler, of course, but also His Holiness Pope Pius XII and Pat Buchannan are hated.
In all, this is a great book to read if you are interested in popular stereotypes regarding the Jews. SCHMOOZING doesn't lean either for or against them, just gives anecdotes and comments. But sometimes stereotypes have a basis in truth.
Rating: 4
Summary: Reflections on life in America
Comment: I was just going to say that this is a fascinating glimpse into American Jewish attitudes at the end of the last century. Having merely browsed thru this book at a bookstore earlier today, I came to Amazon to order it since it is so well written and contains numerous insights as well as some witty jokes along the way. One thing I did notice in a previous review by a guy from West Virginia who claims ( erroneously ) that "goy" and "shiksa" mean cattle and unclean meat. Leo Rosten's Joys of Yiddish confirms my view that goy (Hebrew) means people, and shiksa is the feminine of shaigetz, meaning a blemish. In conclusion, this is a highly intelligent book and is well worth reading.
Rating: 5
Summary: Overly-indulgent and fascinating
Comment: I read this book in one sitting after picking it up in Chapters Bookstore by accident.
I really liked the way the chapters were divided according to money, looks, enemies, inter-marriage, etc. Obviously, there is a lot more going on behind the stereotypical cheap Jew, or the Jewish American Princess with the cartoon-classic nose and white BMW - however, despite being thoroughly engaged and entertained by this study on American Jewry, I was unconvinced as to whether the stereotypes are mere fluff.
Stereotypes emerge for a reason and are sustained by people because of pride, obligation, tradition, and learned patters of behaviour. I don't understand whether Joshua was trying to refute Jewish stereotypes by offering both sides of the debate, however, the debates offered were unconvincing and not worth much more than the entertainment they offered up.
A really interesting point Joshua made was the way the American media, especially American comedy, cements Jewish stereotypes. I wish he'd write a book based on only that.
I wasn't expecting a great social study and, therefore, am not disappointed at all with "Schmoozing". Do yourself a favour and read it - get what you can out of it.
If anyone wants to give me a better idea about this book, email me at [email protected]. Thanks!
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Title: The Jewish Phenomenon : Seven Keys to the Enduring Wealth of a People by Steven Silbiger ISBN: 1563525666 Publisher: Longstreet Press Pub. Date: 01 May, 2000 List Price(USD): $24.00 |
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