Liberal Grammar and the Construction of American Jewish Identity

Both scholars of American Jewry and advocates working in Jewish communities have linked a moral commitment to greater inclusion ethnically racially diverse Jews with constructivist approach toward the study identity. What has gone unquestioned is applicability this all types Jews. In article, I examine assumptions embedded social scientific notion identity argue for acknowledgment interrogation its liberal grammar. Drawing on original field data, Syrian Sephardic community United States posit that Jewishness negotiated group cannot be properly understood through perspective must instead viewed framework tradition. interpreting subjective lens itself construction not only capture traditional notions Judaism but fact excludes them. This analysis these findings shed light discrepancy between categories which are presented as proper also more ethical due their supposed universality way can end up omitting groups they meant include.