Brandeis University Press book named finalist for 2017 National Jewish Book Award

“Jewish Justices of the Supreme Court from Brandeis to Kagan: Their lives and legacies,” written by David Dalin PhD’77 and published by Brandeis University Press, has been named a finalist for the 2017 National Jewish Book Award in the biography, autobiography and memoir category.

Dalin’s book offers a comprehensive look at the personal lives, legal careers and legacies of the eight Jews who have served on the U.S. Supreme Court – Louis Brandeis, Benjamin Cardozo, Felix Frankfurter, Arthur Goldberg, Abe Fortas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer and Elena Kagan.

Louis Brandeis, the university’s namesake, became the first Jew on the Supreme Court in 1916 after being appointed by President Woodrow Wilson.

Dalin discusses the relationship each Jewish justice had with the president who appointed them and also investigates how anti-Semitism may have affected their respective confirmation processes.

The book also dives into the changing role of Jews within American jurisprudence and the Jewish justices’ opinions on issues including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the death penalty, privacy and gender equality.

Steve Whitfield, the Max Richter Professor of American Civilization, also reviewed the book.