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This book explores the cultural and religious politics of the contemporary food movement, starting from the example of Jewish foodies, their zeal for pig (forbidden by Jewish law), and their talk about why ignoring traditional precepts around food is desirable. Focusing on the work of Michael Pollan, Jonathan Schorsch questions the modernist, materialist, and rationalist worldview of many foodies and discusses their lack of attention to culture, tradition, and religion.
List of contents
1. Introduction.- 2. Jews, Christians and Pigs: A Brief History.- 3. Jewish Foodies on Judaism.- 4. Pollan on Culture and Religion.- 5. Cosmological Cultures as Forms of Resistance.- 6. Back to Those Pesky Dietary Laws.- 7. Omnivory as a Universal Ideal.- 8. When Eco-Kosher Pigs Fly.- 9. Bibliography.
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“Jonathan Schorsch offers an enlightening and often thought-provoking reflection on how contemporary debates about food shape our thinking about culture, religion, ethics, politics and identity. … A passionate advocacy for the wisdom of Jewish tradition and an intellectual feast, it is to be enjoyed by anybody interested in how food choices shape our identities and the role of food in intercultural and interreligious interactions.” (Maria Diemling,Common Ground, 2019)
“This book is a vital contribution to a growing body of critical literature that seeks to create space within the food movement for diverse voices and perspectives. … The Food Movement, Culture, and Religion offers a clear path for altering the food movement to be more inclusive of Jewish and all cultural foodways.” (Adrienne Krone, Reading Religion, readingreligion.org, September, 2018)
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"Jonathan Schorsch offers an enlightening and often thought-provoking reflection on how contemporary debates about food shape our thinking about culture, religion, ethics, politics and identity. ... A passionate advocacy for the wisdom of Jewish tradition and an intellectual feast, it is to be enjoyed by anybody interested in how food choices shape our identities and the role of food in intercultural and interreligious interactions." (Maria Diemling,Common Ground, 2019)
"This book is a vital contribution to a growing body of critical literature that seeks to create space within the food movement for diverse voices and perspectives. ... The Food Movement, Culture, and Religion offers a clear path for altering the food movement to be more inclusive of Jewish and all cultural foodways." (Adrienne Krone, Reading Religion, readingreligion.org, September, 2018)
