Throughout the modern era, Jews have established a series of new religious movements that in general have represented the influence of changing social and cultural realities on Jewish communal expressions. Since the 1960s, a number of new Jewish movements have utilized neo-Hasidic teachings to re-engage Jews in the spiritual elements of their tradition. Many Jews have also shown interest in new religious movements outside the Jewish fold, often playing a disproportionately large role in such groups. Bringing certain preferences and sensitivities with them, Jews who have joined such groups have often wished to retain some of their Jewish heritage and opted to combine their Jewish identity with their newly formed communities and practices. The Jewish venture into new religious movements has ultimately expanded the boundaries of Jewish life and the varieties of Jewish expressions, complicating formerly perceived notions of Jewish choices and affiliations.
University of California Press