While We Were Celebrating
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American Jewry is hemorrhaging. Here’s what needs to be done.
Elliot Abrams, a prominent American lawyer and politician, cites some alarming statistics in his recent Wall Street Journal op-ed How to Recover American Jewish Identity: “About a third of those raised Jewish, or with at least one Jewish parent, no longer identify as such. The intermarriage rate is more than 70%. Only 45% of those who practice their Jewish faith say it’s ‘very important’ to them that their grandchildren be Jewish. Only 4% of Jews who no longer practice their faith say the same.”
He writes that in the US there is less Jewish education and fewer visits to Israel than any other major diaspora community. “If these trends continue there will be fewer Jews who strongly support Israel, are involved in Jewish life, and are interested in passing their identity to their children and grandchildren.”
When confronted with false accusations and distortions of Jewish history, will they stand resilient in the face of animosity or will they fall away in weakness and fear?
We need the next generation to be strong, proud Jews. The Jew hatred that has erupted over college campuses requires young men and women who are filled with a robust sense of self and identity. When confronted with false accusations and distortions of Jewish history, how will they respond? Will they stand resilient in the face of animosity or will they fall away in weakness and fear?
I recently asked a group of high school students at a Jewish day school to raise their hands if they felt proud to be a Jew since the attacks of October 7th. A small portion of students meekly raised their hands, unsure, perhaps ashamed, by their reply. The educators in the room were stunned.
How do we infuse strong Jewish identity and fortitude in our children, our future?
Abrams believes that we must revisit how our children are raised and educated. Studies have shown that among non-Orthodox Jews it is the immersive experiences that make a difference. Jews need to spend time with other Jews to foster their Jewish identity.
He suggests three goals: better Jewish education – including better Hebrew schools, expanding Jewish summer camping experiences so that kids have two to eight weeks of living in a fully Jewish environment, and more time in Israel with trips like Birthright so that there is a greater sense of peoplehood and identity.
The best Hebrew school, the finest summer camp and the most exciting trip to Israel can never replace a strong Jewish home filled with roots and connection.
These are fine ideas but I believe there is a fatal flaw. We cannot outsource our Judaism. The best Hebrew school, the finest summer camp and the most exciting trip to Israel can never replace a strong Jewish home filled with roots and connection. Lacking a home where Shabbat lights dance and holidays are celebrated, the sense of peoplehood and identity fizzles.
I recall hearing my father’s daily aggravations trying to get students engaged in his synagogue’s Hebrew school after sitting through a long day of classes. Kids acted out and hid in the bathroom. They asked why they needed to learn about things that their families never do anyway. Bar and Bat mitzvahs were all about the parties and their ticket to freedom from studies.
Jewish summer camps are great but they’re only in the summer. Even if a child comes home inspired, if their home does not continue infusing the warmth and meaning of Jewish traditions they learned, it’s only a matter of time for them to be forgotten. The immersive Jewish experience becomes a distant memory.
Trips to Israel are vital for our Jewish identity and knowledge. Connecting to other Jews in the land of our ancestors and meeting dedicated soldiers and citizens putting their lives on the line for the Jewish People engenders the feeling that we are one family. But precious years of youth have passed by and for too many students it is too late. Apathy has set in. Others lack Jewish knowledge. They have never learned of their heritage and some of them are now the loudest protesters, marching against their very own people.
Judaism conveys incredible beauty and wisdom. Each week we have the opportunity to bring the blessing of Shabbat into our lives. We put away the noise and share time with those who sit with us. Each holiday brings a unique energy to our existence. Yom Kippur empowers us to find forgiveness and fresh beginnings. Hanukkah allows us to light up our nights and banish the shadows of assimilation. On Passover we experience true freedom. Torah study uplifts us, bringing us the depth of real-life solutions to our struggles and the necessary ingredients we need to live with meaning and purpose. The land of Israel connects us to our roots and reminds us of the majestic story of the Jewish People that continues to be written.
As the drumbeats of modern-day pogroms and antisemitism beat louder and louder, it’s up to us to commit to building vibrant and strong Jewish homes, fortify our connection, and spread our light and our love.
Discover the depth and meaning of your legacy. Experience the joy of a Shabbat meal. Nurture your inner Jewish spark that shines eternally in every Jew. Together we can strengthen the Jewish nation.
An important and timely article. Do understand experience and know what it is to be Jewish in community and especially in the home.Rejection of false narrative such as materialism which is not a protection against antisemitism Pursue God and a future with Israel through Jewish festival Hebrew Language and Zionism.
Now you understand why most of American Jews vote for leftists and against Israel interests.
I ask a sincere, albeit perhaps rhetorical question: What (if any) importance is there in maintaining a Jewish identity vs. a generic 'good person' identity?
I think the answer (or non-answer) to this question is the starting point of all subsequent discussion.
Exactly right, Uri. That is the question that brought be to this site: Do I want to identify as Jewish? Seeing some of the comments, I'm being pushed away from wanting to identify with the people posting here. That's the problem that Jews need to solve. Anyone who might read an article "What it means to be Jewish" should be able to respond to it with "I want that for myself and for my family". So much of what is said in here does the opposite.
What hope is there when 70% of American Jews marry out?
There has to be an increase in religious pride.
Perhaps synagogues can hold marriage fairs where young Jewish men and women can get together?
I think we need to continue to show young people the appeal of Torah Judaism. While doing that, we need to fully educate them on what it really means to marry out of the faith. Intermarriage needs to once again become 100% unacceptable.
Most American Jews are Americans first in terms of their identity because they had little positive exposure to Judaism nor did their parents.Really Hope I'm mistaken but seems to me only racial antisemitism will likely prevent most from assimilating away
It’s so sad to read this article. That means that the and parents and grandparents have to do a better effort to learn our Judaism and our history. It’s a total fault to the patents that put other priorities and not taking judaism for granted.
Jews also need to learn their history, the real stuff, that we've made our marks in all manner of professional types, from.legal to illegal. Without accurate and honest history, all the religion stuff will be for naught,
Judaism needs to be reformed so that it welcomes converts.
Conversion should be simple and straightforward.
Numbers count and Jewish numbers are ridiculously small.
As a giyoret I beg to differ. No one should convert for expediency's sake. Converting is hard and should be because once it's done there's no turning back. My husband and I are in a very awkward position. He comes from a Jewish family but except for him they converted to evangelical christianity. His mother is still a Jew but ambivalent about it--she wants to fit in with non-Jews and sees nothing wrong with celebrating christian holidays with family in a secular manner and can get annoyed with us for our attitude. Yes, we are small in numbers but we should focus on quality not quantity.
True converts prepared to keep all mitzvoth to the best of their ability are welcome but no need to convert.and no need for big numbers and the righteous of all nations are blessed accordingly to Judaism.
There is more than 9000000 Jews by father of which more than 6000000 see themselves as Jews (vs 15800000 Jews by mother of which 12500000 see themselves as Jews). Overturning our blasphemy of the last 1800 years and recognizing the Jews by father as fully Jewish should be the beginning. Moreover, it must be done regardless the resulting numbers because it is the will of our G-d as written in the Torah.
The author stated: “I recently asked a group of high school students at a Jewish day school to raise their hands if they felt proud to be a Jew since the attacks of October 7th.”
Who in their right mind would be proud of being slaughtered like sheep in a field?
Who could possibly be proud of being a victim, yet again?
Her point in asking the question was to prove that in spite of millennia of horrors, we Jews are still here. The great Stephen Sondheim obm actually wrote a song called I'm still here. The lyrics describe American history and its challenges, but in spite of everything the singer states "I'm still here," Btw--Stephen Sondheim was Jewish.
3 of the programs mentioned are expensive, and please stop perpetuating the myth that most Jews are upper class professionals. Jewish day schools cost a fortune. There’s a childcare savings plan that covers day camps but not sleep away campsites which are likewise very expensive. If you can afford yearly trips to exotic locations, then adding Israel to the list is important. However, we have spent most of our vacations visiting family and close friends, who almost all live in other states.
I am Orthodox, but my husband is not. Our children attended elementary day schools. Then I became disabled and we had to switch to public schools. Today, my children are grown and neither is observant. One married Jewish but the marriage has problems. The other is unmarried.
You raise a very good point about finances--not all Jews are wealthy professionals. Jewish day schools and sleep away camps are great but cost money. There are scholarships but they may not work out like they're supposed to. I had a friend whose son qualified for a scholarship to school and camp--the people running it never let them forget it and they were seen as a charity case.
RE: Making people feel like a charity case. That is so antithetical to Torah teachings! 🙁
Correct!
Jewish schools and Jewish camps are extremely expensive. With that said providing we spend less money on building Jewish museums which are of no avail for the most part, and contribute the funds towards affordable Hebrew Schools and Jewish Camps will make a significant positive everlasting learning experience for generations to come.
Hello, I support Hillels with their general fund. Maybe more Jews
should do that to help jewish students!!!!.
I do believe 10/7 was a Jewish wake up call to get closer to G-d.
I am a non-Jew who would love to convert but cannot (not eligible for orthodox conversion). Those who are Jewish should understand how lucky they are!
I suggest that you meet with other rabbis. You don’t say why you’re ineligible.
It’s because I’m married to a non-Jew so they would be creating an inter-marriage by converting me.
Ask again, you will find information to allow you to convert if you inquire further. Request info from Chabad or connect with an Aish Rabbi...
I agree with the author. For a lot of Jews, they are no different than other members of society in the progressive upper income tier that are leaving behind anything traditional. But we should try to reach who we can. And yes, a strong Jewish family life is key. But the parents have to be committed to that to begin with.
I am the very proud mother of a son. He is grown now, but my husband and I worked hard to give him strong Jewish values. He is not married at this time, but I hope he chooses to marry within our faith.
Conversion is just too hard. It’s easier to become a Christian or anything else. Perhaps the conversion rules could be amended. I’m married over 40 years and my husband has adopted Judiasm from the beginning. However conversion is too long and too hard.
Conversion is not simply changing one’s religion. It is more like becoming a naturalized citizen. Just as much more is required of those who choose to become citizens than those who have birthright citizenship.
same answer as above. If you are interested, ask again, you will find information to allow you to convert if you inquire further. Request info from Chabad or connect with an Aish Rabbi...
Amen!