Despite recent criticism, Jewish philanthropy has largely been the envy of the philanthropic world. Indeed, for more than a century, Jewish giving has been amazingly successful, although its long-term future is uncertain given contradictory trends related to engagement in American Jewish life.

That is one of the major takeaways I came away with after reading a new book, Jewish Giving: Philanthropy and the Shaping of American Jewish Life, by Jack Wertheimer, Emeritus Professor of American Jewish History at the Jewish Theological Seminary, and after perusing an interview with him following its publication. A comprehensive, balanced and measured study, Wertheimer traces the historical development of Jewish philanthropy from the colonial era until the present. Considering he addresses a topic with potentially serious implications for Israel and the American Jewish community, this important book deserves much more attention, particularly at a moment when everyone’s gaze is understandably elsewhere.

In the early years, the philanthropic needs of the Jewish community were primarily met by synagogues, benevolent associations and landsmanschaft. But over time the structure of the Jewish community quickly and dramatically evolved at the turn of the century, especially after the large influx of Eastern European Jews. This is the result of the creation of Jewish Federations throughout the country, along with the establishment of a large network of additional agencies, institutions and later “friends of” organizations. Taken together, they comprise what is now considered the Jewish philanthropic enterprise, focused on assisting Jews in the United States, as well as........

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