THE VANISHING AMERICAN JEW

The well-known counselor (best known for his work on the Von Bulow and Simpson cases) has turned from law to a kind of ethnic Brahminism. His premise: Assimilation and other factors will soon end American Jewish culture as we know it unless Jews rise up to establish a "new Jewish state of mind." Leaving aside the validity of his thesis and the value of his arguments, this taped abridgment gives us Dershowitz's passionate, often strident voice, trained in the classroom and courtroom to teach and sway. Except for projecting to the rafters and being unable to bring home his jokes, he uses it well. His oratorical acumen keeps his essay compelling, if not always convincing. Y.R. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 98]