The New Ship of Zion explores the dynamic Diaspora dimensions of the African Hebrew Israelites, a spiritual movement of African Americans who have traced their roots to Zion. With the successful establishment of thriving model communities in Israel and Ghana they have built up a framework for repatriation to the motherland. The resulting constructions of ethnic and cultural identity are the subjects of this book. It also sheds light on the ideological concepts of other communities that travel the same waters as the New Ship of Zion, such as the Rastafarians.
This book retraces the African origins of African-American forms of worship. During a five-year period in the field, Pitts played the piano at and recorded numerous worship services in black Baptist churches throughout rural Texas. His historical comparisons and linguistic analyses of this material uncover striking parallels between "Afro-Baptist" services and the religious rituals of Western and Central Africa, as well as other African-derived rituals in the United States Sea Islands, the Caribbean, and Brazil. Pitts demonstrates that African and African-American worship share an underlying binary ritual frame: the somber melancholy of the first frame and the high emotion of the second frame. Pitts's revealing perspective on this often misunderstood aspect of African-American religion provides an investigative model for the study of diaspora cultural practices and the residual influence of their African sources.
Jewish identity is a perennial concern, as Jews seek to define the major features and status of those who “belong,” while at the same time draw distinctions between individuals and groups on the “inside” and those on the “outside.” From a variety of perspectives, scholarly as well as confessional, there is intense interest among non-Jewish and Jewish commentators alike in the basic question, “Who is a Jew?” This collection of articles draws diverse historical, cultural, and religious insights from scholars who represent a wide range of academic and theological disciplines. Some of the authors directly address the issue of Jewish identity as it is being played out today in Israel and Diaspora communities. Others look to earlier time periods or societies as invaluable resources for enhanced and deepened analysis of contemporary matters. All authors in this collection make a concerted effort to present their evidence and their conclusions in a way that is accessible to the general public and valid for other scholars. The result is a richly textured approach to a topic that seems always relevant. If, as is the case, no single answer appeals to all of the authors, this is as it should be. We all gain from the application of a number of approaches and perspectives, which enrich our appreciation of the people whose lives are affected, for better or worse, by real-life discussions of this issue and the resultant actions toward exclusivity or inclusivity.
Anthropological Abstracts (AA) is a reference journal published once a year in print, but also under www.anthropology-online.de and announces - in English language - most publications in the field of cultural/social anthropology published in the German language area (Austria, Germany, Switzerland). Since many of these publications have been written in German, and most German publications are not included in the major English language abstracting services, Anthropological Abstracts offers a convenient source of information for anthropologists and social scientists in general who do not read German, to become aware of anthropological research and publications in German-speaking countries. Included are journal articles, monographs, anthologies, exhibition catalogs, yearbooks, etc. Most abstracts are authored by the editor, others are specified accordingly. This journal is edited by Ulrich Oberdiek since 1993 (formerly: Abstracts in German Anthropology; since 2002: Anthropological Abstract
Tudor explains how many African peoples came to think of themselves as descendants of the ancient tribes of Israel. Pursuing medieval and modern race narratives over a millennium in which Jews were cast as black and black Africans were cast as Jews, he reveals a complex interaction between religious and racial labels and their political uses.
“The best introduction I know to the Jewish faith presented in the Hebrew Scripture.” —Eugene B. Borowitz, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion A treasury of religious thought and faith—places the symbolic world of the Bible in its original context. “A challenging, exciting work in Jewish theology. Not to be missed.” —Ruth Segal Bernards, Sh’ma “A significant advance in Jewish-Christian understanding could be made if Christians would read Sinai & Zion.” —John Simpson, Provident Book Finder “Beautifully written, theologically sensitive, and ecumenical.” —Richard J. Clifford, S.J., Weston School of Theology “It is a book which has been longed for. It is also a very good book.” —T. R. Hobbs, Biblical Theology Bulletin “In this eminently readable work of biblical scholarship of the highest order, Levenson enables that Bible’s many voices to speak for themselves and yet communicate a coherent religious vision.” —Robert L. Cohn, Journal of Religion
"Today there are many people among the nations of the world who are drawn to the Jewish people and desire the sweetness of the Torah and its teachings. It has been difficult for non-Jewish people to find such teachings until now. This groundbreaking book is a collection of essays on the weekly Torah portions and the holidays from twelve leading rabbis of Israel, written specifically to address the interests of a Christian audience. This is the world's first book of Torah written by Orthodox rabbis especially (but not exclusively) with pro-Israel Christians in mind! These Orthodox rabbis are enabling the fulfillment of the words of Zechariah 8:23: "In those days it will happen that ten men, of all the [different] languages of the nations, will take hold, they will take hold of the corner of the garment of a Jewish man, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you!'" "
New Jerusalem in Independence, Missouri, has become a rapidly growing city as Saints from around the world come to Zion to witness the dedication of the New Jerusalem Temple and the discovery and return of the Ten Lost Tribes. But the Coalition forces have regrouped and are planning another attack that will affect the entire world even as the Saints attempt to regain Salt Lake City from the evil leader Sherem.
Traditional songs from the Catskill area of New York State are accompanied by detailed discusssions of their roots, development, musical structure, and subject matter
