Britain's Chief Rabbis and the religious character of Anglo–Jewry, 1880–1970

This book presents a radical new interpretation of Britain's Chief Rabbis from Nathan Adler to Immanuel Jakobovits. It examines the theologies of the Chief Rabbis and seeks to reveal and explain their impact on the religious life of Anglo-Jewry. Elton overturns the argument that there was a significant shift to the right in the Chief Rabbinate during the period studied, and thereby sets out a new interpretation of the most important event in Anglo-Jewish religious history in the twentieth century, the Jacobs affair. This fascinating study develops a new and improved typology of the Jewish response to modernity, and is therefore a contribution to the neglected area of Anglo-Jewish religious history, and the history of modern Judaism as a whole. It will be of interest to the student of Anglo-Jewry, of Judaism in the modern period, of the effects of modernity on religion, and general reader alike. Front matter Contents List of illustrations Acknowledgements Part I Religious and historical context Introduction Historical context Jewish religious responses to modernity: a typology Intellectual context: theology and theologians Part II Theology and policy, 1891–1946 The theology of Hermann Adler The religious policy of Hermann Adler The theology of J.H. Hertz The religious policy of J.H. Hertz Part III Post–War developments From the Second World War to the Jacobs Affair The religious character of the Chief Rabbis and of Anglo-Jewry Bibliography Index