Scholars of Jewish history and culture have focused on collective memory and commemoration as central to Jewish ethos and practice. The literature presents two related processes. The first form of remembrance calls upon the Jew to recall ritually and liturgically. The second form relates to the moral imperative to remember and commemorate those who have perished.
Discussion of this paper appears under the heading: Research Forum: The anthropology of memory, by various participants, in Vol.24 pp341-389. The author's response appears in Vol.24 pp391-400