Middletown Jews: The Tenuous Survival of an American Jewish Community

by Dan Rottenberg (Editor)

"Middletown Jews . . . takes us, through nineteen fascinating interviews done in 1979, into the lives led by mainly first generation American Jews in a small mid-western city." ―San Diego Jewish Times

". . . this brief work speaks volumes about the uncertain future of small-town American Jewry." ―Choice

"The book offers a touching portrait that admirably fills gaps, not just in Middletown itself but in histories in general." ―Indianapolis Star

". . . a welcome addition to the small but growing number of monographs covering local aspects of American Jewish history." ―Kirkus Reviews

In Middletown, the landmark 1927 study of a typical American town (Muncie, Indiana), the authors commented, "The Jewish population of Middletown is so small as to be numerically negligible . . . [and makes] the Jewish issue slight." But WAS the "Jewish issue" slight? What did it mean to be a Jew in Muncie? That is the issue that this book seeks to answer. The Jewish experience in Muncie reflects what many similar communities experienced in hundreds of Middletowns across the midwest.

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1997

Reviews

[Indiana University Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for a Jewish History class that I took at IU, taught by one of my very favorite professors, Irving Katz (Sept. 24, 1932 — Jan. 24, 2008). Little did I know that one year later, I'd be working for the publisher of this book! It's a fascinating study of the Jewish experience in Muncie (aka "Middletown"), IN. I was a junior in college when I read it, so it's very accessible. I'd recommend it for students and general readers interested in Jewish history.

[Fearless · Rating 4 out of 5]

next for book club

[joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Especially interesting to anyone who grew up in Muncie, Indiana.