OPINION I
•
Decline
Continued from Page 7
FALL & WINTER
CLEARANCE
7 5 % O ff
To
On Selected Groups
Beginning Friday, November 29th
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This is less than 2.5 percent
of the total population.
This decrease results from a
declining Jewish birthrate —
less than two children per
family — and intermarriage.
Before World War II, about 6
percent of all Jews who mar-
ried chose a non-Jewish
spouse. Since 1985, over half
of all Jews who wed do so with
non-Jews. The influx of
Jewish immigrants from
Russia and Israel over the
past two decades has done lit-
tle to alter the picture.
Intermarriage has become
so commonplace that almost
every Jewish family contains
a non-Jewish relative. And
the Jewish community has
gone from strongly opposing
such unions to acquiescence
and acceptance.
In some Jewish circles it is
considered illiberal and even
racist to oppose mixed mar-
riages. As a result, you now
have Jewish communal
leaders, heads of Jewish or-
ganizations, and teachers of
Jewish studies at universities
who are married to uncon-
verted non-Jews.
While the Jewish popula-
tion has been shrinking, the
general American population
has been growing, especially
among Asians, Hispanics and
Muslims. Most large
American cities already con-
tain non-white majorities.
Given the American electoral
system, fewer Jews mean
diminished political clout.
If present trends continue,
in another few decades
Muslims will outnumber
Jews in the United States.
This could have important
consequences for Israel, as
politicians pay more atten-
tion to the wishes of their
larger constituencies. Recent
events in Washington show
that this may already be
happening.
The decline in Jewish
numerical strength is match-
ed by a steady erosion in
Jewish identity and attach-
ment to things Jewish. Fewer
than half of all adult Jews
belong to synagogues or are
affiliated with Jewish
organizations. While Jews are
the most philanthropically-
minded group in the United
States, less than 50 percent of
them contribute to Jewish
charitable causes. This means
less money for Jewish institu-
tions and less money for
Israel.
Hope is always placed on
the next generation to change
things for the better. Here,
too, the picture is bleak.
Despite a rise in Jewish day
schools after World War II,
most Jewish children still do
not receive an adequate
Jewish education. Although
Jewish studies programs have
burgeoned on college cam-
puses, only a small portion of
America's 400,000 Jewish col-
lege students show any in-
terest in them.
More American Jewish
students spend a year abroad
studying in England, Italy
and France, than do in Israel.
Widespread ignorance of
Jewish history and tradition
among young American Jews
makes them susceptible to
misinformation, distortions
and lies about Jews, Judaism
and Israel. What is worse, it
leaves them with little pride
in their heritage.
Without this knowledge
and pride, they lack the foun-
The decline in
numbers is
matched by an
erosion in Jewish
identity.
dation and will to counter
anti-Semitism. The recent
confusion and timidity in the
face of anti-Jewish assaults
reflects this.
The present state of the
American Jewish community
gives little reason to expect
that any of these negative
trends will be reversed. Re-
cent studies reinforce this
conclusion. It may very well
be that the so-called "Golden
Age" of American Jewry has
passed.
Jews will continue to make
valuable contributions to
American society and life.
But perhaps they will no
longer do so as recognizable
members of a distinct ethnic
group. ❑
LOCAL NEWS
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4
4
Imm"
Chabad Center
Completes Libraries
Bais Chabad Torah Center
in West Bloomfield has com-
pleted computerization of its
three libraries: the A.I. Mor-
rison Judaica Library, the
Chaya Moushka Children's
Library and the Sara
Tugrnan Audio and Audio
Visual Tape Library.
The library hours are: Sun-
day, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and
Monday and Thursday nights,
7:30-9:30 p.m. To obtain a
library card and for informa-
tion, call the center, 855-6170.
For reservations for the
Chabad Center Shabbat
Chanukah luncheon, call the
center, 855-6170. Dr. Dovid
Kagan will speak at the
luncheon.
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