Jewish Veganism and Vegetarianism: Studies and New Directions
Edited by Jacob Labendz and Shmuly Yanklowitz
SUNY Press, 2019
“Whether looking at the pages of the Talmud, vegetarian poems written in Yiddish, lyrics written by Jewish punk rockers, or into a pot of vegan matzo ball soup, this book explores the many ways in which Jews have questioned the ethics of eating animals.”
—Jordan D. Rosenblum, author of The Jewish Dietary Laws in the Ancient World
“A thorough and wide-ranging introduction to Jewish vegan and vegetarian studies . . . . Michael Croland looks at the striking frequency of veganism [and vegetarianism] among Jewish punk rockers in often explicit expressions of their Jewish punk identities. . . . Perhaps this book’s most significant contribution to Jewish studies is its sophisticated, critical understanding of the role of plant-based food choices in identity construction in general and of Jewish identity in particular.” —H-Net
This scholarly collection includes Michael Croland’s chapter “Vegetarianism and Veganism among Jewish Punks.” The chapter explores the popularity of vegetarianism/veganism among punks as well as shared values and backgrounds between Jews and punks. It discusses Jewish, vegetarian/vegan members of prominent punk rock bands, including the Ramones, The Clash, MDC, and Gogol Bordello. It delves into Jewish punk bands with vegetarian/vegan members, including the Shondes, Moshiach Oi!, Useless ID, Yidcore, and Steve “Gangsta Rabbi” Lieberman. It looks at examples from the food world, particularly Isa Chandra Moskowitz and PunkTorah’s NewKosher Cookbook: Your Favorite Jewish Vegan Recipes!