Comments on: More Similar Than You Think http://www.InterfaithFamily.com/blogs/Network/statistics/more-similar-than-you-think/ Everything you always wanted to know about intermarriage, but were afraid to ask. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:12:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Dave http://www.InterfaithFamily.com/blogs/Network/statistics/more-similar-than-you-think/#comment-390 Dave Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:46:31 +0000 http://www.InterfaithFamily.com/blogs/Network/statistics/more-similar-than-you-think/#comment-390 1/ "interfaith families raising Jewish children are remarkably like typical self-identified Reform Jewish families. They observe Shabbat, light Hanukkah candles, and have Bar and Bat Mitzvahs as often as inmarried Reform families". I have no doubt about that. Damning with faint praise? Why not Conservative families? Orthodox families? BTW ultra-Orthodox families never have bat mitzvahs. Is the the article saying that intermarried families are more observant than ultra-Orthodox families. Doesn't quite make sense does it? 2/ Why would Christopher Winship care if the Jewish population doubled (under an impossible scenario)? Does he believe that all inmarried Reform families 'raise committed Jewish children'-no reason for him to know of course? 3/ If Professor Christ wanted to see the doubling of a Jewish population why wouldn't he visit Kiryas Yoel, where exactly that is happening right now-no assumptions or changes needed. Of course the residents there are far less likely to have Christmas trees... 1/ “interfaith families raising Jewish children are remarkably like typical self-identified Reform Jewish families. They observe Shabbat, light Hanukkah candles, and have Bar and Bat Mitzvahs as often as inmarried Reform families”.

I have no doubt about that. Damning with faint praise?

Why not Conservative families? Orthodox families?

BTW ultra-Orthodox families never have bat mitzvahs. Is the the article saying that intermarried families are more observant than ultra-Orthodox families. Doesn’t quite make sense does it?

2/ Why would Christopher Winship care if the Jewish population doubled (under an impossible scenario)? Does he believe that all inmarried Reform families ‘raise committed Jewish children’-no reason for him to know of course?

3/ If Professor Christ wanted to see the doubling of a Jewish population why wouldn’t he visit Kiryas Yoel, where exactly that is happening right now-no assumptions or changes needed. Of course the residents there are far less likely to have Christmas trees…

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