Overview

For some twenty years from the late 1960s, and thereafter following a brief pause, representatives of British Jewry's religious orientations held closed-door meetings at the Chief Rabbi's residence in attempts to bridge their communal and halachic differences. So secret were they that barely a word broke through, and until now the details of their often fiery disputations - both verbally and in writing - have never been revealed. In an exclusive glimpse into this shrouded arena, ""Closed Doors, Open Minds"" presents an important new chapter in Meir Persoff's acclaimed series on the British Chief Rabbinate, deftly unraveling the manifold theological and ideological strands of its multi-hued tapestry.

Full Product Details

9781618117571

Table of Contents

Reviews

In Closed Doors, Open Minds, the distinguished former [Jewish Chronicle] journalist Meir Persoff documents the history of this dialogue [between Orthodox and Progressives]. It is a rigorous, balanced and thoughtful presentation, made all the more striking because what one might have expected to be a straightforward liaison between the religious leaders of British Jewry turned out to be an emotional and spiritual roller coaster for its participants.-- Jewish Chronicle Under the title Closed Doors, Open Minds ... and using a breathtaking array of hitherto closed archives, Dr Persoff now offers a fascinating -- but at the same time depressing -- insight into these clandestine disputations. --Geoffrey Alderman, Michael Gross Professor of Politics and Contemporary History at the University of Buckingham Jewish Telegraph Meir Persoff has made a considerable contribution to the study of British Jewry in recent years. In particular, he has published a number of works that focus on the role of the chief rabbinate in Britain. These examine the schisms that different postholders have either fostered or contributed toward. These volumes bring together an enormously wide-ranging array of sources. His journalistic background, which developed his investigative skills while also helping him nurture contacts with key figures in the community, enabled him to access material previously hidden from view. --Miri Freud-Kandel, University of Oxford, H-Judaic --Geoffrey Alderman, Michael Gross Professor of Politics and Contemporary History at the University of Buckingham Jewish Telegraph

""Meir Persoff has made a considerable contribution to the study of British Jewry in recent years. In particular, he has published a number of works that focus on the role of the chief rabbinate in Britain. These examine the schisms that different postholders have either fostered or contributed toward. These volumes bring together an enormously wide-ranging array of sources. His journalistic background, which developed his investigative skills while also helping him nurture contacts with key figures in the community, enabled him to access material previously hidden from view."" --Miri Freud-Kandel, University of Oxford, H-Judaic Under the title Closed Doors, Open Minds ... and using a breathtaking array of hitherto closed archives, Dr Persoff now offers a fascinating -- but at the same time depressing -- insight into these clandestine disputations. --Geoffrey Alderman, Michael Gross Professor of Politics and Contemporary History at the University of Buckingham ""Jewish Telegraph"" In Closed Doors, Open Minds, the distinguished former [Jewish Chronicle] journalist Meir Persoff documents the history of this dialogue [between Orthodox and Progressives]. It is a rigorous, balanced and thoughtful presentation, made all the more striking because what one might have expected to be a straightforward liaison between the religious leaders of British Jewry turned out to be an emotional and spiritual roller coaster for its participants.-- ""Jewish Chronicle""

Author Information

Now a freelance writer and editor, Meir Persoff edited the London Jewish Chronicle's news, features, arts, Judaism, letters and obituaries sections during a distinguished forty-year career on the paper. He has written extensively on Jewish topics, and served on the Jewish Book Council and as president of the Israel-Judaica Philatelic Society. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Life Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, he earned his PhD from Middlesex University, London, for his research into the British Chief Rabbinate's relationship with the non-Orthodox movements.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available