The New Portrait of U.S. Jewry
Joe Berkofsky
October 3, 2002
American Jews soon will see the fullest picture of their community ever developed.
Category
intermarriage
Jewish Identity Crisis
Julie Wiener
November 8, 2001
A new study reporting decreased identification with Judaism and rising intermarriage rates is generating concern, but not shock, in the Jewish community.
Instead, many leaders see the new findings, released last week, as a continuation of trends reported in the 1990 National Jewish Population Survey. Rather than viewing the study as a call to radically change course, most see it as a signal to step up existing efforts to strengthen Jewish continuity.
Mixed Message
Julie Wiener
August 9, 2001
Results of the two new studies are mixed enough that translating them into policy recommendations will not be easy.
The Impact of Intermarriage
Julie Wiener
May 17, 2001
Regardless of whether the mother is Jewish, most interfaith families — even those raising their children as Jews — incorporate substantial Christian celebrations into their lives, often including more Christian aspects as the couple and their children age.
Your Letters
Jewish Journal
March 15, 2001
As introduction to Judaism course director and director of Reform Jewish Outreach for the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC), Pacific Southwest Council, our observations do not square with the views expressed in a recent Jewish Journal article (\”Opposing Intermarriage,\” March 9).
New Coalition Opposes Intermarriage
Debra Nussbaum Cohen
March 8, 2001
In the face of widespread popular Jewish acceptance of intermarriage and a sense that the Jewish community\’s leaders have given up any effort to oppose it, a group of 25 Jewish rabbis, intellectuals, lay leaders and communal affairs professionals is galvanizing to fight for change.
A New Deal
Robert Leiter
January 4, 2001
Like other children of intermarriage, Joshua Boettiger struggled with the issue of religious identity, but he said that his clearest connection to Judaism surfaced during his junior year in college, which he spent in Damascus, Syria.
Intermarriage:
Jewish Journal
November 23, 2000
In September, vice presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman came under fire from many Jewish organizations for telling a radio talk show host that there is no Jewish prohibition against intermarriage.But according to a survey released this week, Lieberman\’s comments reflect the beliefs of the majority of American Jews. In short, according to the survey, \”the Jewish taboo on mixed marriage has clearly collapsed.\”
Monsters
Rob Eshman
November 23, 2000
Ten years ago, intermarriage rose up as one of the great bogeymen of Jewish communal life. The National Jewish Population Survey, released in 1990, reported that some 52 percent of Jews marry outside their faith. You could hear the rending of garments from Maine to San Diego, as rabbis and Jewish leaders bemoaned American Judaism\’s imminent collapse. Intermarriage equals demise, we were told. Jewish communities formed committees – task forces, even – and programs on Jewish continuity multiplied like legal briefs in Tallahassee.
Inspired Leader
Julie Wiener
November 16, 2000
Rabbi Alexander Schindler, the longtime leader of the Reform movement best known for his support of outreach to intermarried couples and recognition of patrilineal descent, has died at the age of 75.He died early Wednesday morning from heart failure at his home in Westport, Conn. As president of Reform Judaism\’s Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) from 1973 to 1996, Schindler – who viewed Judaism as a dynamic faith – championed a number of dramatic changes.
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