“Synagogue Life … is well-written, documented, and researched. It is a must for general sociologists, 
ethnographers, sociologists of religion, and those interested in ethnic minorities. Heilman is to be highly commended 
for a work of factual information, thorough analysis, compactness, and internal consistency.” – Julian B. Roebuck, 
Social Forces

“This masterful study makes an important contribution to the sociology of religion and to the description of 
contemporary Judaism. Heilman, a sociologist at Queens College, CUNY, spent three years both participating in and 
observing the life of a Modern Orthodox congregation. His principal interest is in the inter-relationships among the 
members … in particular in respect to gossip, joking, singing, swaying, appeals, and arguments, and the activities of 
study and assembly in the synagogue. These extended beautifully composed chapters are based upon thorough 
description of the setting of the congregation, the characters, and the background of contemporary Orthodoxy. The 
structuralist analysis is both rich in pertinent examples and highly sophisticated in its theoretical framework. And all 
this is the work of a Modern Orthodox Jew – a triumph of participant-observation mode possible by a deep and 
intelligent grasp of theoretical literature.

… A superlative account of acutely contemporary Judaism.” – Jacob Neusner, Journal of Jewish Studies

“An admirable study, Synagogue Life is exciting (yes exciting!) and enlightening.” – Arthur F. Beringause, Jewish 
Press

“This is a rare book for both sociology and Judaic studies. 
… Highly recommended.” – Library Journal 

“Much of [the book] will engender the sense of authenticity one gets from first read Erving Goffman (a major 
influence on Heilman), C. Wright Mills, the Lynds, and Robert Merton, among others. If you like ethnography and 
symbolic interaction, you will like this book.” – Jack Nusan Porter, Contemporary Sociology