The relationship of the Seminary and its chancellor to the Conservative Movement has long been a subject of debate, if not a source of tension, among the national organizations of the movement as well as its rank and file. This is no less true today than it was eighty years ago. In order for one to understand the nature of JTS and the movement today, it seems necessary to understand the source(s) of this issue and the efforts from inside and outside the Seminary to grapple with it. To what extent is the JTS-Conservative Movement relationship particular to JTS or similar to that of other seminaries and the religious movement with which they are connected? This is the question that the author, Michael B. Greenbaum, seeks to answer within this study.

"The purpose of this book is to elevate stories and storytelling in people's esteem, so they will understand their holiness and appreciate them at their full worth. There are those who enjoy stories and storytelling but in the back of their minds think, 'After all, they're only stories.' But in the same way that the Western Wall of the Temple is not just a wall, a mere pile of stones, neither are the stories of the Torah or of the tzaddikim 'just stories.' Holy stories are the light of the world. When we understand that, when both tellers and listeners know they are engaged in sacred activity, we will hold stories and storytelling more dear. The teller will tell with the tongue of faith, the listeners will hear with ears of faith, and the circle of holiness will be closed." -from the Introduction