Part I. The laity (1816-1845) -- Chapter 1. A great aversion to priestly domination -- Part II. Intruders (1845-1860) -- Chapter 2. Clericalism -- Chapter 3. Textualism -- Part III. Interlude (1860-1869) -- Chapter 4. Changing currents -- Part IV. The rabbinate (1870-1885) -- Chapter V. Clericalism -- Chapter 6. Textualism
Summary
Who Rules the Synagogue? explores how American Jewry in the nineteenth century transformed from a lay dominated community to one whose leading religious authorities were rabbis. Zev Eleff weaves together the significant episodes and debates that shaped American Judaism during this formative period, and places this story into the larger context of American religious history and modern Jewish history