Cleveland Jews and the Making of a Midwestern Community

Contributors in Jewish culture, American Jewish studies, and history recall Cleveland’s Jewish community in the 20th century, covering aspects of religion, education, philanthropy, and the move from the city’s core to the suburbs. Some subjects are the evolution of Jewish orthodoxy in Cleveland, Abraham Hayyim Friedland and Jewish education, Harvey Pekar and comics, Abba Hillel Silver and local politics, Jewish-Black relations in Cleveland neighborhoods, and the Cleveland section of the National Council of Jewish Women. The book stems from cooperation between the Western Reserve Historical Society and the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. B&w historical photos and illustrations are included. Annotation ©2020 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
This volume gathers an array of voices to tell the stories of Cleveland&;s twentieth century Jewish community. Strong and stable after an often turbulent century, the Jews of Cleveland had both deep ties in the region and an evolving and dynamic commitment to Jewish life. The authors present the views and actions of community leaders and everyday Jews who embodied that commitment in their religious participation, educational efforts, philanthropic endeavors, and in their simple desire to live next to each other in the city&;s eastern suburbs. The twentieth century saw the move of Cleveland&;s Jews out of the center of the city, a move that only served to increase the density of Jewish life. The essays collected here draw heavily on local archival materials and present the area&;s Jewish past within the context of American and American Jewish studies.
This volume gathers an array of voices to tell the stories of Cleveland&;s twentieth century Jewish community. Strong and stable after an often turbulent century, the Jews of Cleveland had both deep ties in the region and an evolving and dynamic commitment to Jewish life.