A Fortress in Brooklyn: Race, Real Estate, and the Making of Hasidic Williamsburg is a nonfiction book by Jewish studies professor Nathaniel Deutsch and historian Michael Casper, published by Yale University Press in May, 2021.[1] It has been favorably reviewed in NYBooks,[2] The Jewish News of Northern California,[3] and The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles.[4]
 Book cover, first edition | |
| Author | Nathaniel Deutsch, Michael Casper |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Yale University Press |
Publication date | 11 May 2021 |
| ISBN | 978-0300231090 |
Contents edit
The 391-page book minutiously chronicles the history of the Yiddish speaking community of Williamsburg (Brooklyn, NY): its stringent inception in the post World War II years by a wave of Hasidic Jew immigration originated from Eastern European shtetls, its contentious relations with neighboring African American and Puerto Rican communities, and its partly reluctant but progressive gentrification by the forces of commerce and urban development. The narrative covers historic, racial, sociological, political, urbanistic, and emotional aspects.
Critique edit
Critics from various sources encounter the book "persuasive" (Samuel Stein, Jewish Currents, 2021).[5] "fascinating" (Zalman Newfield, New Books Network),[6] or "delightful, compelling, interesting" (Bennet Baumer, The Indypendent).[7] Ben Rothke (The Times of Israel) praised its "spellbinding narrative",[8] while Gabe S. Tennen (Gothan Center) referred to the book as "detailed, crisply written, a caveat to nearly fifty years of scholarship".[9]
Awards edit
The book won the 71st National Jewish Book Awards in American Jewish Studies (2022) given by the Jewish Book Council, in recognition to the "impressive training, sensitivity and scholarly style" distinguishing the authors.[10]
References edit
- ^ Deutsch, Nathaniel (2021). A fortress in Brooklyn : race, real estate, and the making of Hasidic Williamsburg. Michael Casper. New Haven. ISBN 978-0-300-25837-0. OCLC 1249952996.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ Harris, Lis. "Strangers in a Strange Land | Lis Harris". ISSN 0028-7504. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
- ^ "Bay Area writers recognized in National Jewish Book Awards". J. 2022-01-20. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
- ^ Hanau, Shira (June 9, 2021). "In Brooklyn's Hipster Williamsburg Neighborhood, Hasidic Jews are the Real Counterculture". Jewish Journal. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
- ^ Stein, Samuel (November 23, 2021). "The Making of Satmar Williamsburg". Jewish Currents. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
- ^ Newfield, Zalman (October 15, 2021). "Nathaniel Deutsch and Michael Casper, "A Fortress in Brooklyn: Race,…". New Books Network. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
- ^ "The Story of Hasidic Vilyamsburg". Retrieved 2022-05-23.
- ^ "Book review – A Fortress in Brooklyn". blogs.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
- ^ "Did All Jews Become White Folks?: A Fortress in Brooklyn and Hasidic Williamsburg". The Gotham Center for New York City History. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
- ^ "71st Jewish Book Awards Celebration - National Book Council". www.jewishbookcouncil.org. Retrieved 2022-05-23.