Books published by Brandeis University Press

"The early history of the formation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and its most famous award-the Oscar-as told by its former executive director who reveals many previously unknown stories"--

A provocative look at how Jewish intellectuals thought about Jewish religion and existence within a German philosophical tradition

Explores local incidents of antisemitism and antisemitic violence across Europe in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries

"Personal and engaging, The Simple Beauty of the Unexpected is a scientist's tribute to nature, an affirmation of humanity's deep connection with and debt to Earth, and an exploration of the meaning of existence, from atom to trout to cosmos"--

"Early in the 20th century, Jewish camp leaders had little interest in creating spiritual experiences for their campers. Yet Jewish camps have gradually provided primal Jewish experiences that campers could enjoy, parents appreciate, and alumni fondly recall. This book considers how Shabbat at camp became the focus for these experiences"--

"This series of interviews brings together exceptional material on Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi's personal and intellectual journey, true reflection on the rupture and transmission, the fabric of history, and of Jewish being in today's world. This work also attests to the astonishing breakthrough of the issues of Jewish history in "general history.""--

"This book is a historical case study of the Judge Rotenberg Center. It chronicles and analyzes the events and people that contributed to the inability of the state of Massachusetts to stop the use of electric shock and other severe forms of punishment on children and adults with disabilities"--

"As poet and journalist, Zionist activist and public intellectual, Syrkin's work and actions illuminate a wide range of twentieth-century literary, cultural, and political concerns. Her passions demonstrate, as Irving Howe said, "a life of commitment to values beyond the self.""--

A literary critic's journey through the Talmud.

A remarkable story of the German industrialist who first warned the West of Nazi plans for the mass murder of Jews

"Honoring the History of the Brandeis Library is an illuminating look at Brandeis's unique and invaluable rare text collection. It features items including rare books, artistic works, photographs, manuscript collections, Judaica materials, historically significant archival collections, and more"--

Written and illustrated by master wood engraver Barry Moser, this primer on the art of wood engraving is filled with valuable knowledge including how to prepare a printing block; how to think in the medium's properties of line, shape, and ink; and how to transfer a drawing onto a block. It also offers practical advice on which tools to use for a project and which ink works best. A highly illustrated guide to this art form, Wood Engraving will be useful to experienced and beginner engravers alike. This book features stunning examples of Moser's art and skill to admire and inspire.

Expanding the Palace of Torah offers a broad philosophical overview of the challenges the women's revolution poses to Orthodox Judaism, as well as Orthodox Judaism's response to those challenges. Writing as an insider--herself an Orthodox Jew--Tamar Ross confronts the radical feminist critique of Judaism as a religion deeply entrenched in patriarchy. Surprisingly, very little work has been done in this area, beyond exploring the leeway for ad hoc solutions to practical problems as they arise on the halakhic plane. In exposing the largely male-focused thrust of the rabbinic tradition and its biblical grounding, she sees this critique as posing a potential threat to the theological heart of traditional Judaism--the belief in divine revelation. This new edition brings this acclaimed and classic text back into print with a new essay by Tamar Ross which examines new developments in feminist thought since the book was first published in 2004.

An analysis of contemporary American Judaism within the broader scope of American religious life.

"During the nineteenth century, Americans celebrated their towns and cities through lithographic landscapes. In Maine, these prints were the work of such leading artists as Fitz Henry Lane and talented, lesser known local artists, such as Cyrus William King. Bringing many of these remarkable works together for the first time, this exhibition commemorates the bicentennial of Maine statehood and Bowdoin College's 225th anniversary. It also provides an opportunity to explore Maine's antebellum art and architecture and the role that lithography played in promoting the state and its early artistic and economic aspirations"--

Few animals have a worse reputation than the vulture. But is it deserved? With Vulture, Katie Fallon offers an irresistible argument to the contrary, tracing a year in the life of a typical North American turkey vulture. Turkey vultures, also known as buzzards, are the most widely distributed and abundant scavenging birds of prey on the planet, found from central Canada to the southern tip of Argentina and nearly everywhere in between. Deftly drawing on the most up-to-date scientific papers and articles and weaving those in with interviews with world-renowned raptor and vulture experts and her own compelling natural history writing, Fallon examines all aspects of the bird's natural history: breeding, incubating eggs, raising chicks, migrating, and roosting. The result is an intimate portrait of an underappreciated bird--one you'll never look at in the same way again.

What kind of tree is that? Whether you're hiking in the woods or simply sitting in your backyard, from Maine to New York you'll never be without an answer to that question, thanks to this handy companion to the trees of the Northeast. Featuring detailed information and illustrations covering each phase of a tree's lifecycle, this indispensable guidebook explains how to identify trees by their bark alone--no more need to wait for leaf season. Chapters on the structure and ecology of tree bark, descriptions of bark appearance, an easy-to-use identification key, and supplemental information on non-bark characteristics--all enhanced by more than 450 photographs, illustrations, and maps--will show you how to distinguish the textures, shapes, and colors of bark to recognize various tree species, and also understand why these traits evolved. Whether you're a professional naturalist or a parent leading a family hike, this new edition of Bark: A Field Guide to Trees of the Northeast is your essential guide to the region's 67 native and naturalized tree species.

"METCO, America's longest-running voluntary school desegregation program, has for 34 years bused black children from Boston's city neighborhoods to predominantly white suburban schools. Sixty-five METCO graduates vividly recall their own stories in this revealing book. Susan E. Eaton interviewed program participants who are now adults, asking them to assess the benefits and hardships of crossing racial and class lines on their way to school. Their answers poignantly show that this type of racial integration is not easy-they struggled to negotiate both black and white worlds, often feeling fully accepted in neither. Even so, nearly all the participants believe the long-term gains outweighed the costs and would choose a similar program for their own children-though not without conditions and apprehensions"--

The definitive study of the origins and evolution of Jewish nationalist ideology.