Acknowledgments
It is a pleasure to thank the many people who have encouraged and assisted me in the writing of this book. Forty years ago, Professor Kenneth T. Jackson of Columbia University—the nation’s foremost urban historian—sparked my interest in writing about the Jews of Harlem. I shall always be his student even as today he sees me as a colleague, especially as a Fellow of the New York Academy of History, an organization that he has championed to give due recognition to the sagas of the many races and religions that make up Gotham’s saga. I hope that through this book I am continuing to do justice to that mission. Grateful thanks are also extended to Professor David Rothman of Columbia University, who helped sharpen my arguments in writing initially about the uptown community, and to Dr. Naomi W. Cohen, professor emerita of Hunter College, who was my first and foremost teacher and mentor in the field of American Jewish history.
I am grateful that NYU Press shared my enthusiasm to revisit Jewish Harlem and to update its important history to the present day. Special thanks are due to my editor Jennifer Hammer who has gracefully challenged me to broaden the scope of this work while assuring me constantly that the book was mine to write. Similarly, I am thankful that my colleague and friend of long-standing Professor Deborah Dash Moore of the University of Michigan took time out from her own busy schedule to carefully read and comment on the penultimate draft of this work. Her perspectives on Gotham’s history were of invaluable help in complementing my own visions of New York Jewish history. As with all of my scholarly endeavors, I rely on the advice and counsel of my friend and colleague Professor Benjamin R. Gampel of the Jewish Theological Seminary.
In the search for sources and materials, the outstanding library staff at Yeshiva University, including John Moryl, Zvi Erenyi, Rabbi Moshe Shapiro, and the indefatigable Mary Ann Linahan, assisted me as always. David Khabinsky of Yeshiva University’s Public Affairs Department did excellent work in providing me with visuals for this book. Most importantly, I am warmed by the enthusiasm that my home institution has shown for my labors, beginning with our president, Richard M. Joel, and our provost and fellow historian, Dr. Selma Botman. Beyond Yeshiva, I am also grateful that Harlem music historian John Reddick invited me into his world. I should also thank Professor Ronald Miller and the Berman Jewish Data Bank of the Jewish Federations of North America for providing me with and for crunching demographic data on the presence of Jews in Harlem over the past few decades. Of course, any errors of fact or interpretation that appear in this book are mine alone.
I am blessed with a wonderful, supportive family. Forty years ago, I dedicated my Harlem book to Pamela for keeping alive the vision of a completed project. She continues, as always, to be the bedrock of the Gurocks. Our three children and their spouses and our seven grandchildren inspire me in countless ways whether or not they will ever read my books. Most recently, Elise has joined our crew, contributing additional warmth and charm to our family. I am so pleased to dedicate this book to her and to my son Michael and I know that The Jews of Harlem will find a special place in their hearts and on their coffee table.
Jeffrey S. Gurock
