Guest Editor: Ilana Horwitz, Tulane University ihorwitz@tulane.edu
The Review of Religious Research invites submissions for a special issue focused on Contemporary Jewish Life. This issue aims to gather empirical social science research that provides insight into the behaviors, orientations, practices, and institutional dynamics of Jewish communities around the world. As Jewish life continues to evolve across diverse social, cultural, and economic contexts, this special issue seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexities of Jewish religiosity and spirituality in the 21st century.
We welcome manuscripts that meet RRR‘s emphasis on empirical research, offering rigorous analysis of Jewish life through interdisciplinary social science approaches. Submissions should clearly describe methods and analytical techniques, and should also address the practical relevance of findings for religious leaders, organizations, or other applied practitioners.
Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
- Social Class and Economic Mobility
Empirical analyses of how social class shapes Jewish identity, religiosity, and institutional engagement, as well as studies on intergenerational mobility within Jewish communities across different regions. - Political and Civic Engagement
How Jewish individuals and communities engage in politics, civic life, and social movements in global contexts, exploring advocacy, philanthropy, and responses to social and political challenges. - Religious Practice, Spirituality, and Innovation
Examination of transformations in Jewish religious practices, the role of tradition, spiritual communities, and innovations in religious leadership or nontraditional spaces for spiritual expression. - Family, Identity, and Intergenerational Transmission
Research on how Jewish identity and religiosity are passed across generations, focusing on family dynamics, parenting practices, and changes in religious orientation within different national and transnational contexts. - Jewish Institutions and Leadership
Studies of synagogues, religious schools, nonprofits, and communal organizations, with attention to the roles these institutions play in shaping Jewish life and religious leadership in various cultural settings. - Jewish Communities and Intersectional Identities
Exploration of the intersection of Jewish identity with race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and social class, analyzing how these identities impact participation and leadership within Jewish communities globally.
Submissions should contribute to the broader field of religious research by attending to the diversity within Jewish populations, across different levels of religious observance, social class, and political ideologies. Contributions from sociology, psychology, political science, economics, and other social science disciplines are encouraged, as well as studies with practical applications for religious leaders, community organizers, and policymakers.
Keywords: Jewish communities; social class; religiosity; intergenerational transmission; political engagement; religious practice; institutional dynamics; intersectionality
This special issue will align with RRR‘s commitment to publishing research that is empirically grounded, interdisciplinary, methodologically rigorous, and relevant for both academic audiences and religious practitioners. We especially welcome studies that provide actionable insights for clergy, religious leaders, staff of Jewish organizations, and professionals involved in community engagement or religious service provision.
Submissions: Please submit complete papers by March 31, 2025, in the RRR manuscript submission center and indicate the title of the special issue: Contemporary Jewish Life. Inquiries can be directed to Special Issue Guest Editor Ilana Horwitz at ihorwitz@tulane.edu
Timeline
· Call for Papers: September 2024
· Submission Deadline: March 31, 2025
· First Round Review: September 2025
· Expected Publication: February 2026