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Jewish Identities in Post-Modern Society
social science
Abi Gezunt

Abi Gezunt

Health and the American Jewish Dream

Series: Jewish Identities in Post-Modern Society

by Jacob Jay Lindenthal

Published by: Academic Studies Press

Imprint: Academic Studies Press

Language: English

530 Pages

Hardcover

9781618115362

Published: May 2017

$139.00

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9781618115379

Published: May 2017

$300.00

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Description
Contents
Contributors
Praise

This book consists of a series of investigations into the cultural and behavioral patterns of east European immigrant Jews known to promote health and prevent disease beginning in the late 19th and into the 20th centuries. Drawing on data pointing to health as an economic commodity, leading to economic strength and social development, the author suggests that the high value accorded to health played a role in the relative economic prosperity of American Jews. The book explores the implications of good health as a source of human capital worthy of investment and its significance for recent immigrants.

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter 1. Halacha—The Foundation of Jewish Law and Life

Chapter 2. Education and Literacy: the Path to Good Health

Social Support

Chapter 3. Charity—Das Jüdische Herz

Chapter 4. Family First

Health-Related Behaviors

Chapter 5. Childrearing Practices and Attitudes

Chapter 6. Alcoholism Among the Jews

Human Capital

Chapter 7. Housing and Jobs in the New World—Health Against All Odds

Implications

Chapter 8. Socioeconomic Status and Health

Chapter 9. Health, Culture, and Wealth

Appendix I

Infant Mortality

Maternal Mortality

Maternal Age

Birth Intervals

Breastfeeding and Infant Mortality

Housing Congestion

Maternal Employment During Pregnancy

Appendix II

Sources Corroborating Comparatively Low Rates of Tuberculosis Among Jews in Eastern Europe

Sources Corroborating Comparatively Low Rates of Infection Among Jews

Sources Corroborating Comparatively Low Rates of Influenza Among Jews

Sources Corroborating Comparatively Low Rates of Typhoid Fever Among Jews

Sources Corroborating Comparatively Low Rates of Mortality Associated with Whooping Cough, Scarlet Fever, and Measles Among Jews

Sources Corroborating Comparatively Low Rates of Syphilis Among Jews

Sources Corroborating Alcohol Consumption Among Jews

Appendix III

Additional Reading

Jacob Jay Lindenthal, Professor, Department of Psychiatry at Rutgers – New Jersey Medical School and creator of its MiniMed program, has long been interested in the relationship between life events and social and mental outcomes as well as ethnicity and health. He was awarded the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award in 1994 and named Faculty Member of the Year in 2005.

“Jacob Jay Lindenthal’s exploration of the historic linkage of Jews, health, and the American experience is boldly provocative. Having created a rich database to chart the disease experience of American Jews from 1874 to 1904, the author uses his data and a rich array of other sources to argue that Jews unique concern with health and healthy behaviors yielded their marked economic success following migration. His intriguing thesis should attract general readers even as it fuels rich scholarly debate among historians of American medicine, immigrant assimilation, and American Jewish life.” ~Alan M. Kraut, American University, Professor of History, author of Silent Travelers: Germs, Genes, and the “Immigrant Menace”