From Sainthood to Selfhood in American Judaism: Artscroll’s New Jewish Hero and Jewish Renewal’s Functional Rebbe.

The article discusses the roles of selfhood and self-realization in American Judaism. Particular focus is given to a series of biographies of significant Jewish historical and legendary figures published by the American Orthodox organization ArtScroll during the 1970s. It is suggested that these publications were influenced by the U.S. culture of spiritual individualism even as they celebrated traditional Judaism. The author compares sainthood as depicted in the biographies to the model of charismatic Protestant sainthood described by religious scholar Simon Coleman. Details on the role of the functional rebbe as envisioned by Jewish Renewal founder Zalman Schachter-Shalomi are also presented. Topics discussed include heroes, Torah study, and the Jewish Renewal movement.