Spiritual Radical: Abraham Joshua Heschel in America 1940-1972

About this book

Born in Warsaw raised in a Hasidic community and reaching maturity in secular Jewish Vilna and cosmopolitan Berlin Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972) escaped Nazism and immigrated to the United States in 1940. This lively and readable book tells the comprehensive story of his life and work in America his politics and personality and how he came to influence not only Jewish debate but also wider religious and cultural debates in the postwar decades. A worthy sequel to his widely praised biography of Heschels early years Edward Kaplans new volume draws on previously unseen archives FBI files interviews with people who knew Heschel and analyses of his extensive writings. Kaplan explores Heschels shy and private side his spiritual radicalism and his vehement defense of the Hebrew prophets ideal of absolute integrity and truth in ethical and political life. Of special interest are Heschels interfaith activities including a secret meeting with Pope Paul VI during Vatican II his commitment to civil rights with Martin Luther King Jr. his views on the state of Israel and his opposition to the Vietnam War. A tireless challenger to spiritual and religious complacency Heschel stands as a dramatically important witness.