The Emergence of Modern Jewish Politics

The Emergence of Modern Jewish Politics analyzes the changes in Jewish political life wrought by Zionism and Bundism, and explores the relationship between politics, culture, and society among the Jews of Eastern Europe in the first half of the twentieth century. The essays collected by Zvi Gitelman view modern Jewish politics through wide and varying lenses. Gitelman examines the legacy of the Bund and Zionist movements, and contends that Bundism's contributions -- though less obvious -- profoundly changed the structure of the society, politics, and culture of Jews in Eastern Europe and abroad. Other aspects of Jewish politics are highlighted as well, including alternative political movements of emancipation and integration and the role of national minorities and women in politics.

Zvi Gitelman, professor of political science and Preston R. Tisch Professor of Judaic Studies at the University of Michigan