Jewish Sunday Schools: Teaching Religion in Nineteenth-Century America

Yares (religious and Jewish studies, Michigan State Univ.) traces the development of Jewish Sunday schools in the U.S. from just after the American Revolution through the early 20th century. The book emphasizes the role of Jewish women, who were initially volunteer teachers in the nascent synagogue schools of the early 1800s. Later, many were professional public-school teachers, who also served in weekend Jewish schools. The author follows the changes in function and curriculum in the schools as decisions were made (mostly by Jewish men of German background) regarding how the thousands of children—Eastern European immigrants—would learn to be Jewish Americans. These schools copied and competed with Protestant Sunday schools, which sought to build the character of Christian children and convert Jews if possible. This book demonstrates how the multiple branches of the U.S. Jewish community sought to use Jewish Sunday schools to supplement public education and to form the religion and character of American Jews.