The authors of this volume explore the tensions and dilemmas that impact pluralism and homogeneity in modern societies. This is the first work in this field in which the frame of discussion is a comparative civilizational analysis. It focuses on issues that are at the heart of the contemporary human experience and culture. The contributors to this book, renowned scholars from all over the world, tackle these issues by referring to different temporal and spatial settings. This book is in homage to Shmuel Noah Eisenstadt. We honor his ground-breaking work in the comparative study of modernities and civilizations. Contributors are: Jeffrey C. Alexander, Erik Allardt , Said Arjomand, Johann P. Arnason, Eliezer Ben-Rafael, Raymond Boudon, Michael Confino, Ralf Dahrendorf, Gerard Delanty, Shmuel N. Eisenstadt, Han Entzinger, Bernhard Giesen, Rolland Goetschell, Ulf Hannerz, Daniele Hervieu-Leger, Jurgen Kocka, Donald N. Levine, Menachem Magidor, Alberto Martinelli, T.K. Oommen, Shalini Randeria, Luis Roniger, W.G. Runciman, Dominique Schnapper, Hayim Tadmor, Stanley J. Tambiah, Wolfgang Schluchter, David Shulman, Sammy Smooha, Piotr Stzompka, Edward A. Tiryakan, Alain Touraine, Zvi Werblowsky, and Bjoern Wittrock.

In the context of their recent dispersion, Russian-speaking Jews have become the vast majority of Germany's longstanding Jewry. An entity marked by permeable boundaries, they show commitment to world Jewry, including Israel, but feeble identification with their hosts. While Jewish singularity is understood here more as "belonging" than "believing", Jewish education is viewed as a must.