Content area
Full text
RR 2010/44 Encyclopedia of the Jewish Diaspora: Origins, Experiences and Culture Edited by M. Avrum Ehrlich ABC-Clio Santa Barbara, CA and Oxford 2009 3 vols ISBN 978 1 85109 873 6 $295 Also available as an e-book (ISBN 978 1 85109 874 3)
Keywords Encyclopedias, Ethnic minorities, History
Review DOI 10.1108/09504121011012166
Jews are not the only community or religious group to have formed a diaspora, but they are probably the oldest and most studied of the diasporas. This three-volume encyclopedia aims to bring together a wealth of scholarly study and examination of the phenomena that is the Jewish diaspora and its continued growth still, after two and a half thousand years. It is a useful study for both students and scholars of Jewish history and culture as well as an interesting and informative insight into the issues surrounding diaspora's. These include: continued growth; number; size; social, political, economic and cultural contributions to homelands and an insight into the make-up and functionality of such groups.
Despite having been a part of world culture since their exile from Babylon in the sixth century BCE the Jewish Diaspora, and other diasporas that have followed, have, until the twentieth century been denied access to dieir host societies. It can be seen throughout history that any group considered not to be a "natural" or "normal" part of, particularly western society, has been denied the right to completely integrate with a host society. The reasons for this have been many and varied. Mostly host societies have allowed the Jews and other...