Welcome to the Max Follin's Two podcast. I'm Joseph Stewart. In 2007, the museum at Eldridge Street

opened at the site of a restored 19th century synagogue, originally built by some of the

first Eastern European Jewish immigrants in New York City. Visitors to the museum are invited to

stand-along indentations on the floor where footprints of congregants passed have worn down the

soft pine wood. Here, many feel a palpable

connection to the history and historical communities surrounding them. Beyond the synagogue argues

that nostalgic activities such as visiting the museum at Eldred Street or eating traditional

Jewish foods should be understood as American Jewish religious practices. Even if they're not set

out in the Torah, they are things that help Jews to feel Jewish.

Rachel B. Gross asserts that if scholars looked outside of traditional centers of religious practice,

they would see that the embrace of nostalgia provides evidence of an alternative,

underappreciated way of being Jewish, and of maintaining Jewish continuity. Tracing American Jews' involvement in a broad array of ostensibly non-religious activities,

including conducting Jewish genealogical research,

visiting Jewish historic sites, purchasing books and toys that teach Jewish nostalgia to children,

and seeking out traditional Jewish foods.

Rachel Gross argues that these practices illuminate how many American

Jews are finding and making meaning within American Judaism today. We'll be discussing Professor Gross's

book, Beyond the Synagogue, Jewish nostalgia as religious practice. And without any further ado,

let's get to our conversation with Professor Gross.

Rachel B. Gross, welcome to the Maxwell Institute podcast.

Thank you so much for having me, Joey. I'm so glad to be here.

It is a pleasure to host you here at the Maxwell Institute. And we're here to discuss your book

...