For everyone who wants to understand the varieties of Jewish identity, its boundaries and inclusions, this book shows the way into an essential aspect of Judaism and allows you to interact directly with the sacred texts of the Jewish tradition. Dr. Sylvia Barack Fishman explores the religious and historical understanding of what it has meant to be Jewish from ancient times to the present controversy over "Who is a Jew?" Beginning with the biblical period, this volume takes you era-by-era through Jewish history to reveal who the Jewish community included and excluded, and discusses the fascinating range of historical conflicts that Jews have dealt with internally. It will provide an understanding of how the Jewish people and faith developed, and of what the major religious differences are among Jewish movements today. Judaism throughout history. What did Judaism look like in the earliest periods of recorded Jewish history? How have early Jewish teachings influenced diverse forms of Jewishness historically and today? How did attitudes and behaviors diverge as Jews migrated and responded to their Christian or Muslim host cultures? How did various Jewish "enlightenments," social movements and political changes affect Jewish culture and religion? Modern Judaism. Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Reform, Renewal--what are the many movements--and secular forms--of Judaism that exist today? How did each movement begin, and what role does each play in the landscape of modern American Judaism? What challenges does Judaism in general, and the movements in particular, face in the coming years and decades? Conversion to Judaism. What were historical attitudes toward "Jews by Choice," and what are the attitudes today?