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Ida Nasatir book review

A Partisan Guide to the Jewish Problem by Milton Steinberg

May 22 1947—Book review—A Partisan Guide to the Jewish Problem by Milton Steinberg—Southwestern Jewish Press, page 6:  The problem Rabbi Steinberg discusses in this volume is, basically, how the modern Western Jew can best achieve and express identification with the tradition and destiny of his people, and how Judaism can be preserved in our time, as well as be perpetuated for the future.  The author thinks that we ought first to clear up the question: What is Judaism? His answer to this is that Judaism is the culture of the Jews. But that, of course, at once raises the further question: What are the Jews? The author says the answer to that is that the Jews are a people—not a religion—but a people.  The house of Israel at present is in chaotic condition, order can be established, according to Rabbi Steinberg, by looking upon Palestine as a center of Jewish culture, and by uniting and co-ordinating the diverse forms of American Jewish culture. The author writes with vigor, persuasiveness, and fluency of style. This is a book to put on one's summer reading list.