Orthodox by Design: Judaism, Print Politics, and the ArtScroll Revolution / Edition 1

by Jeremy Stolow

Overview

Orthodox by Design, a groundbreaking exploration of religion and media, examines ArtScroll, the world’s largest Orthodox Jewish publishing house, purveyor of handsomely designed editions of sacred texts and a major cultural force in contemporary Jewish public life. In the first in-depth study of the ArtScroll revolution, Jeremy Stolow traces the ubiquity of ArtScroll books in local retail markets, synagogues, libraries, and the lives of ordinary users. Synthesizing field research conducted in three local Jewish scenes where ArtScroll books have had an impact—Toronto, London, and New York—along with close readings of key ArtScroll texts, promotional materials, and the Jewish blogosphere, he shows how the use of these books reflects a broader cultural shift in the authority and public influence of Orthodox Judaism. Playing with the concept of design, Stolow’s study also outlines a fresh theoretical approach to print culture and illuminates how evolving technologies, material forms, and styles of mediated communication contribute to new patterns of religious identification, practice, and power.



Finalist for the National Jewish Book Award in the scholarship category, Jewish Book Council

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780520264250
Publisher:	University of California Press
Publication date:	04/28/2010
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Jeremy Stolow is Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.

Table of Contents

List Of Figures
List Of Tables
Acknowledgments

Introduction
1. Authoritative and Accessible
2. Artscroll’s Public Life
3. Prayer Books, Cookbooks, Self-Help Books: Designs for Kosher Living
4. Materializing Authenticity
5. Gravity and Gravitas: A Concluding Reflection on Print Scripturalism in the Digital Age

Notes
Select Bibliography
Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Covers new ground, poses important, generative questions, and sets the terms of future conversation in its field."—Assoc For Jewish Stds Review / Ajs Review

"All those interested in and wanting to understand contemporary Orthodox Judaism will need to read this book."—Jewish Journal of Sociology

Stolow managed to penetrate the cherry leather facade of ArtScroll and produce a book that ... is thoughtful, informative and keenly attentive to cultural nuance."—Jewish Daily Forward

"[A] fascinating, eloquent and insightful book."—Topia

Editorial Reviews

Stolow managed to penetrate the cherry leather facade of ArtScroll and produce a book that ... is thoughtful, informative and keenly attentive to cultural nuance."

Jewish Daily Forward

[A] fascinating, eloquent and insightful book.

Topia - Oz Frankel

All those interested in and wanting to understand contemporary Orthodox Judaism will need to read this book.

Jewish Journal Of Sociology

"Covers new ground, poses important, generative questions, and sets the terms of future conversation in its field."

Assoc For Jewish Stds Review / Ajs Review