A note on shtetl definitions and the dating of the first shtetl
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12523719 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Lawrence A Coben (Washington University in St. Louis, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2011 |
| Volume | 41 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 203-206 |
| Publication date | 2011-12-01 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | East European Jewish Affairs (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1350-1674 • E-ISSN: 1743-971X |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/13501674.2011.632584 |
| OpenAlex | W1968528410 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 1 |
Consideration of two different working definitions of a shtetl, and the two different datings of the first shtetl that they produce, leads to the following conclusions. (1) The definition of a shtetl is formed by a set of criteria, one of which distinguishes it from similar settlements by providing a characteristic termed “sufficient Jewishness.” Because “sufficient Jewishness” exists in multiple forms, such as “at least 40% Jewish population,” and “the presence of certain specified institutions of religious observance,” a number of valid definitions can coexist. (2) The dating of the earliest shtetl will vary from one study to another, because it is determined by the selected definition of a shtetl used to arrive at that dating, and ultimately by the selected form of that definition's distinguishing criterion. (3) Therefore, just as more than one definition of a shtetl can coexist, each with a different form of the distinguishing criterion, so more than one valid dating of the first shtetl can coexist
Art · Literature · Population · Sociology · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · Demography · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies · History
| Highly cited | No |
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