Philip Bernstein and the 1950s Religious Revival

Abstract During the early era of postwar Introduction to Judaism texts, American society was undergoing a religious revival that was perceptible by the late 1940s—and undeniable by the late 1950s. The uptick in religious activity was evident in a number of areas including the publication of number of Bibles and religious books, and construction of religious buildings. Reform Rabbi Philip Bernstein’s 1950 Introduction to Judaism in the pages of Life appeared at an early stage of the revival, while Judaism was gaining its footing as a postwar American religion, and as middlebrow cultural institutions such as Time Inc. were figuring out how to portray Jews. The very presence of an article about Judaism in Life indicated new cultural winds affecting religion and Judaism. As if taking cues from Gentleman’s Agreement’s Phil Green and his limited interest in Jewish religion, Bernstein’s essay portrayed Judaism cautiously, and with Christian expectations in mind.