Focusing on the social dimension of Amsterdam's Portuguese Jewish economic and religious life, Swetschinski paints a lively and unconventional picture of the dynamics of a remarkable Jewish community, the first traditional Jewish society to engage creatively with the non-Jewish, secular world in relative harmony. A broad, authentic, and original vision of the transition from medieval to modern Jewish history
Winner of the 2000 National Jewish Book Award for Sephardic Studie
'A social history that focuses . . . upon political status, economic pursuits, and community organization . . . advanced students will find this book of considerable value.' - M. A. Meyer, Choice
'Admirable . . . a fine addition to the growing number of studies of this fascinating community.' - Stephen D. Benin, Religious Studies Review