Jewish Communities in Exotic Places
Blady (The Jewish Boxer's Hall of Fame) presents the histories, economies, and religious life of 17 Jewish communities in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. After describing the community's arrival in its host country, he focuses on the relationship between Jewish life and the country's culture. In particular, he considers which rituals were maintained and which customs adopted, showing that some communities had to balance their own culture with the need to adapt. The foreword, preface, and introduction thoughtfully discuss what ties Jewish communities together. This useful, informative introduction to Jewish life outside of Europe and North America will appeal to readers interested in Jewish history and sociology. (Illustrations not seen.)--Naomi E. Hafter, Broward Cty. P.L., Ft. Lauderdale, FLCopyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.