The Independent Orders of B'nai B'rith & True Sisters: Pioneers of a New Jewish Identity, 1843-1914 Book

Preface vii

Introduction 1

1 The Independent Orders of B'nai B'rith and True Sisters, 1843-50 13

The Independent Order of B'nai B'rith, 1843 23

The Independent Order of True Sisters, 1846 41

2 B'nai B'rith as Platform for an American Jewish Identity, 1850-75 57

Growth, Development, and Function of the Order 57

The Order and the Shaping of American Judaism 72

3 Hie Lodges at the Center of Jewish Identity Formation 115

Community Building, Self-definition, and Representation 115

Civil Self-awareness and "Becoming American" 117

The Development of a Jewish Social Service System and Modern Jewish Identity 128

True Sisters and Modern Jewish Womanhood 147

4 B'nai B'rith as Mass Organization, 1875-1900 165

Identity Crisis, Disintegration, and New Departures 165

B'nai B'rith and the Reform Movement 187

True Sisters and die Formation of a Jewish Women's Movement 202

5 Adapting to New Challenges, 1900-1914 217

B'nai B'rith and the Progressives 217

Representing Jewish Interests in America 233

Conclusion 253

Notes 263

Bibliography 323

Index 345