"The Exodus Is Not yet Accomplished…": Reform Jewish Arguments for the Civil-Rights Movement in the Race Relations Sabbath Messages, 1954-1970

• Other Authors: Carr, Jessica Leigh (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Religion
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-4173

This thesis is a discourse analysis of the Race Relations Sabbath Messages, issued annually by the Central Conference of American Rabbis, from 1954-1970. Chapter 1, through a historiography of American Reform Judaism and related works on American Jewish history, argues for the need to study denominations of Judaism in terms of theology and social factors, primarily culture and race. With an understanding of American Jewish identity as one of being in tension with the mainstream society, seeking security in America though not complete assimilation, the function of Reform Jewish theology and interface of theology and social constraints become clear. Using this definition of American Jewish identity, Chapters 2 and 3 then serve as an example of how to treat religious rhetoric in its social context. Chapter 2 characterizes the period from 1954 to 1959 as one of universalism and civil religion due to the discrimination and segregation associated with urbanization. Reform Jews used an inclusive theology to argue for African-American civil rights. Based on the dignity of all individuals, Reform Jews sought to use universalist theology to point to the insignificance of group identity and therefore the need to create legislation that protected whites and blacks equally in order for Americans to establish a just society. Then Chapter 3 argues that, after Jewish integration into suburban neighborhoods and mainstream society, Reform Jews turned to particularism for their self-understanding. The universalism of the 1950's had allowed them to establish that group identity could not be used for the purpose of discrimination, but the need for Reform Jews to distinguish themselves from their Christian neighbors led them to develop a particularism in which group identity could be used in such a way that the distinct histories of each group offered a unique contribution to American society. African Americans and Jews, as well as other minorities, deserved to be integrated into American society because they each had something to offer. In particular, Reform Jews offered a special contribution to America because of their insight into suffering and achieving freedom. Because of their Jewish history, Reform Jews could instruct Americans how to establish the most enlightened society. A theocentric, liturgical theology fostered Reform Jews' civil-rights arguments in the 1960's because it gave them special access to the lessons available in Jewish history. This periodization shows that the particularism typically associated with the late 1960's after the Six-Day War can be located as a gradual development beginning in 1960. American social factors, as well as Jewish concerns, thus influenced Reform Jewish identity, theology and rhetoric. Furthermore, particularism should not be classified as a rejection of effort to integrate African Americans into American society; Reform Jewish particularism was developed in such a way specifically tailored to continue to argue for African-American civil-rights in response to the shifting American culture. === A Thesis submitted to the Department of Religion in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. === Spring Semester, 2007. === March 27, 2007. === Reform, Judaism, Race, Relations, Sabbath, Universalism, Particularism, Urbanization, Suburbanization, Civil, Religion === Includes bibliographical references. === John Corrigan, Professor Co-Directing Thesis; Martin Kavka, Professor Co-Directing Thesis; David Levenson, Committee Member.