Schmoozing: The Private Conversations of American Jews

by Joshua Halberstam

Book Overview

Jews talk about sex and money, intermarriage and Israel, gender and gentiles" . . . like having a funny, intimate, and intelligent conversation with one of the most astute observers of the American-Jewish scene". (Alan Dershowitz, author of "Chutzpah").

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399521577
• ISBN13: 9780399521577
• Release Date: October 1997
• Publisher: Tarcherperigee
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.1" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Private Thoughts Now Public

Fun! Who says you can't be informative and entertaining? This book proves it! A great read about Jews as a wounded people and the changes it needs to make.

Candid and honest remarks on a variety of topics.

SCHMOOZING discusses the attitudes, private opinions and behaviors of individuals in the American Jewish community. There are contributions from the whole spectrum of Jewry, from Chassids to atheists. Dr. Halberstam, remains relativly neutral and is very informative in his comments. He keeps the pace moving quickly, and conveys the information here in an anecdotal manner. Most of the Jews that are quoted, however, respond to an issue with an overwhelming tirade of self-aggrandizment, vindication and pomp. The book is divided into sections dealing with Jews' attitudes on a variety of topics.Starting with money, Jews acknowledge their skills with businesses, but feel unconfortable when non-Jews talk about it. Jews (as always) suspect anti-Semitism. Jews are also very self-conscious about their intellectual strength (25% of the Ivy League School students are Jewish, Halberstam calls it the "Oy Vey League"). Jewish guilt complexes, as personified by Woody Allen are looked at. In sexual behavior, Halberstam quotes a study revealing that Jews have intercourse with more partners and more frequently with these partners than any other ethnic group. Jews and Christians have completely different perceptions of sexual morality. Jewish sages have nearly without exception been married, but top-tier Western thinkers have (except for John Stuart Mill) always been celibate. The stereotypes of American Jewish men and women are discussed in this context. Here's something interesting about how Jews view their intellects and physical bodies: to think like a gentile is bad, to look like a gentile is good.More controversial parts of SCHMOOZING deal with the American Jewish community's attitudes towards Jewish "traitors" and non-Jews. There are three groupings of traitors: the Jews for Jesus or other Jews who convert to Christianity, Jews who are anti-Israel, and Jews who deny the Holocaust. Noam Chomsky appears to be Jewish traitor #1 according to one of Halberstam's friends. Halberstam does not use the term "Holocaust" as much as he uses the more reverential Hebrew term the "Shoah." Jews have a strong suspicion of non-Jews. The Jewish community has had certain enemies. There is Hitler, of course, but also His Holiness Pope Pius XII and Pat Buchannan are hated.In all, this is a great book to read if you are interested in popular stereotypes regarding the Jews. SCHMOOZING doesn't lean either for or against them, just gives anecdotes and comments. But sometimes stereotypes have a basis in truth.

Overly-indulgent and fascinating

I read this book in one sitting after picking it up in Chapters Bookstore by accident. I really liked the way the chapters were divided according to money, looks, enemies, inter-marriage, etc. Obviously, there is a lot more going on behind the stereotypical cheap Jew, or the Jewish American Princess with the cartoon-classic nose and white BMW - however, despite being thoroughly engaged and entertained by this study on American Jewry, I was unconvinced as to whether the stereotypes are mere fluff. Stereotypes emerge for a reason and are sustained by people because of pride, obligation, tradition, and learned patters of behaviour. I don't understand whether Joshua was trying to refute Jewish stereotypes by offering both sides of the debate, however, the debates offered were unconvincing and not worth much more than the entertainment they offered up.A really interesting point Joshua made was the way the American media, especially American comedy, cements Jewish stereotypes. I wish he'd write a book based on only that.I wasn't expecting a great social study and, therefore, am not disappointed at all with "Schmoozing". Do yourself a favour and read it - get what you can out of it.If anyone wants to give me a better idea about this book, email me at DTooma@excite.com. Thanks!

Great! Very Interesting Indeed!

I was amazed at how candid and accurate his book is. Actually kind of scary when you think of it. I wholeheartedly suggest it anyone wanting to know what Jews think of Gentiles. This book gets a THUMBS UP by me.

The best book you will read this year.

Schmoozing is about what Jews think about themselves and about gentiles [both white and black]. Every gentile should read this for a peek into the collective mind of the Jews. Halberstram pulls no punches in this book, which is primarily intended for Jews. He even uses the Yiddish terms goyim and shiksa for gentiles and gentile girls. The original meaning of the words was "cattle" and "unclean meat," respectively. He tells us how Jews actually feel about money about their intelligence relative to gentiles, about their looks, and about many other fascinating subjects. I read it straight through and intend to read it again soon. If you want to know the truth behind the stereotypes read Schmoozing.