•
and a surprisingly meager 37 percent say they
light Shabbat candles; only one-third of day-
school students believe it's important to keep
kosher; single and divorced families are, for the
most part, not joining Conservative congrega-
tions; and attitudes toward intermarriage
among respondents "are far more casual than
we would like to see."
For a movement that's suffered a net loss of
110,000 members in recent years and includes
a large number of elderly followers, such mis-
understanding of Conservative Judaism's be-
liefs and values is indeed disturbing. For much
of its life in the United States, the Conserva-
tive movement has held the center of Jewish
religious life together.
With institutions such as B'nai Moshe, Adat
Shalom, Shaarey Zedek, Beth Shalom, Beth
Achim, Shaarey Zedek B'nai Israel Center, Beth
Abraham Hillel Moses and others, the Detroit
metropolitan area is blessed to offer dynamic,
thriving congregations that reflect the finest
traditions and strains of thought in Conserva-
tive Judaism. There is a vitality within the
movement here in Detroit. But as evidenced in
the study and by the diminishing ranks with-
in the national movement, Conservative Ju-
daism must continue to define and redefine itself
to ensure an important future role.
THIS RUSH TO G -1" MARK/ED --
It IS WHY COUPLES DO N01 /AO
YAWL Is VIM.
ti-fERE IS NO HURRY
IN Ol/R MY, Wg-rOOK -11-10 7W 10
Pg5044
OND Xi1C.W/
ZAYDIE, ALL OF YAEL5 FRIENDS ARE
THAT SHE HAS NOT MET HER BA5110`1. 1
Bar I'M 26
0.44".5
0
OhP AND NOW OLD WERE YOU AND
zioes WHEN YOI/ IWO GOf MAN/0
5VENneN.
BUT YOU ARE
MISSING -1-t5
0 1 996 BY JORDAN B.
A major study recently released by Conserva-
tive Judaism's Jewish Theological Seminary
demonstrates that while the picture appears a
little rosier in the Detroit area, the 1.8 million-
member movement stands at a crossroads na-
tionally and must forge a stronger identity to
recruit new followers and remain viable.
The results of the survey presented a great
deal of positive data, but also reasons for con-
cern. The good news is that most of the study's
respondents belong to the movement because
they strongly embrace its ideology; nearly 60
percent belong to Jewish organizations, and 80
percent contribute to Jewish causes; and the
one-time controversial concept of integrating
women into services and the rabbinate is now
widely embraced by members.
Further, the survey found that nearly all of
its young respondents feel their bar and bat
mitzvah experiences were more worthwhile
than social and sports activities, and younger
Conservative Jews tend to be more observant
and better-educated than their older counter-
parts.
But the study also demonstrated several trou-
bling factors: only 26 percent of respondents
maintain kosher dietary laws (a drop of 8 per-
cent over the past 15 years); more than 70 per-
cent attend services only once a month or less,
GETTING MARRIED AND SHE IS WORRIED
(
EWS GROU P.
Taking The Middle Road
THE PROMISED LAND by Jordan B. Gortinkel
(
“
GLOSSARY: BASHER'T=UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE OF LOVE (i.e. Yiddish) FOR INTENDEQ ONE
Of Tone And Substance
C/3
w
CID
LLJ
1-
0
CC
LU
CI)
LLJ
1-
2
2
When his nomination as secretary of state was
just another Washington rumor, Warren
Christopher was an unknown quantity to Amer-
ican Jewry. His nomination even evoked some
quiet resistance among pro-Israel groups. What
a difference four years makes.
In a few months, the seemingly unflappable
public servant will turn in his Department of
State badge — at his own request. American
Jews and others should pause to thank this un-
likely and successful top diplomat.
We will remember Mr. Christopher for de-
liberate statesmanship anchored by maturity
and integrity. In particular, his commitment to
staying the course in the painful path of Mid-
dle East peace negotiations — as well as Bosnia,
Russia and elsewhere — should be applauded.
We are grateful for Mr. Christopher's fair-mind-
ed approach during his countless hours in Arab
capitals and Jerusalem. While these regions do
not yet enjoy full peace, surely they are closer
to that goal than they were in early 1993.
Mr. Christopher and the Clinton adminis-
tration did not create the Oslo Accords between
Israel and the Palestinians. But, at the gener-
al instruction of his president, the secretary of
state pursued a role where the United States
pushed both sides into fulfilling their signed
agreements.
The next secretary of state, unnamed as of
press time, will face particularly vexing and
frustrating moments. The Israeli-Palestinian
negotiations are increasingly complex. This
country cannot determine the path of the Mid-
dle East's independent nations. Yet, a strong
secretary of state can set a needed tone of calm
determination, one that will have equal im-
portance to the substance of what's discussed.
As examples, we recall the acrimony between
Israel and the United States marked by James
Baker's tenure at State. Dealing with then-
Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir, Mr. Baker did
not see a willing partner in a Likud-led gov-
ernment. Mr. Baker's predecessor, George
Schultz, seemed to finesse that issue and gain
confidence of Israel's leaders. Again, style and
substance.
It is no secret that President Clinton want-
ed Shimon Peres' Labor Party to retain control
of the Israeli government. That was not to be.
Both sides are still adjusting to the new dy-
namics created by Binyamin Netanyahu's as-
cendancy, but the overall relationship remains
positive.
With that in mind, the new secretary can help
forge a stronger relationship between Mr. Clin-
ton and Mr. Netanyahu. It will be a difficult
task, but one whose payoff will be large for the
nations of both leaders. As they stay this course,
we urge both sides to emulate the profession-
alism and patience of the outgoing Mr. Christo-
pher.
Letters
personal agenda. My training as
a scientist has taught me that the
reason that the scientific process
most often leads to truths is that
Shulamit Aloni spoke eloquent- it looks at all the data.
ly at the Birmingham Temple of
That is where Aloni's position
the needs for Jews to raise their is found wanting. Her presenta-
voices in support of a peace tion ignored the many people who
process in the Middle East. But are not fundamentalists, but who
her contention that only religious are wary of a "peace process" in
Jewish fanatics were responsible which only one party is expected
for its being stalled is specious.
to abide by the carefully thought
through accords.
Those of us who lived through
the Hitlerian days remember all
too well that not only did the
whole democratic world not be-
lieve Hitler would carry out the
path he fashioned in Mein
Kamp f, even the German Jews
who lived under his wing accept-
ed the premise that his state-
ments were only politically
motivated.
Many, other than fundamen-
talists, are concerned about cre-
ating a situation in which another
nightmare
will occur; who cannot
Shulamit Aloni
ignore Arafat's call to his people
for Israel to be destroyed and all
My educational training of Palestine returned to the
taught me to beware of people Arabs?
Ms. Aloni
Found Wanting
presenting only those parts of a
total picture that suit their own
WANTING page 24
(--'