professionally curious, communally engaged
I’ve had a blog post published by Makom on the question of what ‘red lines’ Jewish community institutions should set with regard to Israel. The piece responds to another post by Robbie Gringras of Makom.
I’m excited to announce that my new book Uncivil War: The Israel Conflict in the Jewish Community will be published by David Paul Books on 12 March 2014 and is available for pre-order now.
The book will be launched at JW3 London at 7:30 on 12 March.
Here’s the book blurb:
“The relationship between Anglo-Jewry and Israel is perilous, complex terrain – and there are few better placed to navigate it than Keith Kahn-Harris.” Jonathan Freedland
Diaspora Jews are no longer unified in their support for Israel.
The author, a sociologist. Jewish and a committed left-of-centre Zionist, explores the causes of the conflicts and describes his own innovative efforts at conflict resolution. Analysing the various groupings – left, right, secular and religious, pro and anti-Zionist – in Britain and the USA, Keith Kahn-Harris looks at the history of civility in society and examines the different methods used by international organisations and groups involved in developing dialogue within Jewish communities.
He describes, how using these techniques and with expert help, he brought together more than seventy prominent diverse British Jews for a series of encounters. He concludes that dialogue and civility is possible. But with no change in behaviour there will be serious consequences for the Jewish communities of the world.
“A masterful and thoughtful analysis of the various existing positions of Jews and Israel advocates on Israel. This book might just give us the language, the insights – and the pause – for us to do something a little more sensible, before it’s, stupidly, too late.” Clive Lawton – Jewish educator
“I applaud Keith Kahn-Harris for having the courage to examine this vexatious debate in his richly textured book.” Gabrielle Rifkind – Oxford Research Group’s Middle East conflict resolution specialist
I had a piece published on Comment Is Free, discussing the appiontment of Ephraim Mirvis as Chief Rabbi and comparing him with the new Archbishop of Canterbury.
I’ve got a new book coming out in July called Judaism: All That Matters It’s a short introductory guide to the subject, intended to be lively and modestly provocative. Here’s the cover:
The book is part of a new series. There are some interesting titles by some interesting authors. I’m excited!
The latest New Statesman is a special issue on ‘Who speaks for British Jews?’ I have a piece in it on how Israel and anti-semitism make the work of Jewish communal institutions a fraught affair. (Sadly it’s not online yet).
I co-edited with Titus Hjelm and Mar LeVine a special issue of the journal Popular Music History entitled ‘Heavy Metal: Controversies and Countercultures’ (Vol 6: 1/2, April/August 2012). It’s a great collection of articles. It may be hard for those who don’t have access to an academic e-library to access, but I’ve thrown caution to the wind and posted a pdf of the introductory article here:
