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Demographics and Intermarriage - Page 1
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Page 1
| Re: |
Author: Ed Case
Date: 10-10-02 20:07
This is a new discussion for comments about the recent surveys of the American Jewish community, what they say about intermarriage and interfaith families, and related issues. Let us know what YOU think! |
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| Re: Demographics |
Author: Sue Katz
Date: 11-01-02 09:35
The declining number of Jews is a serious issue for the Jewish community. The rise in infertility amongst Jews is definitely related to this issue. Adoption may be seen as a positive solution for both problems. Building Jewish families through adoption should take on added significance as it may become a priority for the survival of the Jewish people. |
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| Re: The author is correct! |
Author: Terry
Date: 11-11-02 16:50
I am converting to Judaism and I've been attending a synagogue about a year. I am single with no prospect for marriage in the near future, but it is on my mind. I meet women but I haven't meet any Jewish women of child bearing age who I could plan a future with.
I am very much part of the Jewish community and I have heard Jews comment on some Jews as not Jews because they married a non-Jew. The synagogue I attend is conservative and the past Rabbi actively bad mouthed interfaith marriages. I have friends in the synagogue who feel close to me because their spouse is not Jewish and they can talk to me versus talking to Jews by birth because they look down on interfaith marriage.
From my perspective I see the Jewish community losing its future with every contemptuous comment and act against interfaith marriage. Let every non-Jewish spouse find out what I have found. A spiritual home with a loving and caring environment. Don't turn them away!! |
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| Dr. Tobin's article |
Author: Scott
Date: 07-30-03 14:38
Gary tobins article was very interesting, thankyou for posting it.
Dr. tobin takes a very post modern view about Jews and Judaism today. Our American society in which we live today is quite diverse. There are different cultres, religions, etc that make up what this country is today.
Dr. tobin seems to want to apply this understanding to Jews and Judaism as well, and he should as the fact of the matter is that there are Jews in this country who come form all different background, beliefs, etc.
I disagree with what he has to say though about Jews coming from other races. I am very involved in Judaoism and the Jewsih community, I am working on a degree in Judaic studies. While I'm know there are blacks asians, and hispanics who are Jews, I just dont see that to any signifigant degree their numbers are increasing, at least not in the united states, and not the extent that he seems to imply.
Dr. Tobin also talks about how Jews identitfy themselves. This is a most interesting point. Jews in this country tend to indetify themselves as american first, and subsequently by their profession. Rarely do we see Jews identify themselves as Jews and then as Americans, or then as whatever professio they hold. The word Jew is oftent the last in a series of descriptors that Jewish people use to descrigbve themselves. Our history has taught us to be this way- for all too many times it has cost our lives. The downside to that though is that being jewish and being jews becomes secondary in the way we identify ourselves.
From a sociological persepective, this is very diffent from Christians. Many more Christinas than Jews, percentage wise, identify themselves expresely as "Chrisatians" and being 'Christian'. Jews dont really do this to a great extent. Christians who identify themsleves as 'Christian' connote a religious image in doing so, where as Jews who isrntify themslevesas Jews, do not. This is a very singifignat phenomena. It says a lot about us as Jews.
Jews, mostly, are not religious. Many go to synagogue only a few times a year. To identify oneself as a 'Jew' therefore does not have the same religious connotation that identifying oneself as 'christian'.
Perhaps the Jewish experience over the last 2000 years has caused this. This 2000 year experience, which has shaped the Judaism(or should i say Judaisms) we have today- it would seem that Dr. tobin would dismiss the fact that it ever took place. He seems to want to live in the moment, or so to speak , as he writes below:
<<If the Jewish organizational and institutional structures--our synagogues, community centers, federations, and the vast array of human service and educational institutions--are going to help the Jewish community be vital and strong, they should embrace who we are, rather than lament who they think we used to be or think we should be. For, indeed, we live neither in the 1950s nor in the time of Abraham. We live in the 21st century, and we should deal with the reality of who we are--now.>>
While we need to deal with who we are now, to help the jewsih community survive, we must look beyond that. Who we are now is a reslut of our history... even if it is only precived or romanticised history. Perception is reality.
My history as an american jew may not be that same as that of a European Jew, or a black Jew. Jews are diverse now, yes, and that needs to be embraced, to a certain degree. But lets not throw the babyout with the bath water.
To much- and i stress.. too much 'diversity' within a religion is not always a good thing. Some 2000 years ago there was diversity in Judaism... it led to the creation of a new religion- christianity.
Understanding and accepting diversoty within Judaism is defiantely a good thing. But it must be within a Jewish context. I read an account once of a Jewsih man who had married a Budhist woman. They incorportaed Budhist relligious practices into their lives, as well as Jewish practices. Their son went to religious school, but at the same time worshiped a buddah with his mother.
On a personal level, having this type of diversity may be fine. It helps us to learn about other peoople and cultures, and learn to be accepting of them. On a communal level though, it can hurt us, because it is so fundamentally different. Jews will begin to wonder what Judaism really means and what being a Jew really means, were this type of practice to become widespread. The definition of what a jew is would be compramised, and it would mean nothing to say I'm a Jew' or I'm Jewish. Such is already the case for 'secular Jews' who are by definition jews, but not JewISH.... that is, they dont practice Judaism, but they were borne to jewish parents.
So with Jews coming from all over the world, and being culturally diverse, we must also recognize what is central amongst all this diversity. This would be history, everyuthing that has happened to us as a people over the years. Our history is who we used to be. We need to recognize this and take from it every positive aspect to develope ourselves into who we will be. Living in the moment, dealing with the reality of who we are in the 21st century means dealing with this, not dismissing it and saimply saying " we dont live in those times anymore" We are the sum of our actions/our history. We have nothing if we dont recognize that. Embracing diversity within Judaism is fine, but it must be done carefully. I dont think Dr. Tobin recognizes this, and thats dangerous. To be jewish cannot mean being a torah true jew at for some of us and a jew who worships a buddah statue for others. |
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Spiritual leader and teacher. Typically, but not always, leads a congregation.
Place of Jewish worship, referring to both the room where it occurs and the building where it occurs. Colloquially referred to as "temple."
The first five books of the Hebrew Bible, or the scroll that contains them.
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