16 • OPINION
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NEW YORK (RNS)— A new survey brings both good and bad news for America's largest Jewish community: New York City, Long Island, N.Y., and Westchester County, N.Y. During the past 10 years, the region's Jewish population, which had been in decline, increased to 10 percent to 1.54 million people, according to United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York. The study also revealed that nearly a quarter million Russianspeaking Jews currently live in the New York area. That is a tangible sign of the successful “Let My People Go!” campaign that was aimed at rulers who for decades blocked an exodus from the former Soviet Union. One reason for the population growth is that people are living longer. The number of New York City-area Jews age 75 and older grew from 153,000 to 198,000 -- a nearly 30 percent upsurge among the elderly. But the main source of the demographic increase is the rise in the number of Orthodox Jews. They now constitute nearly 40 percent of all Jews surveyed. Six of every 10 Jewish children in the region today are being raised in Orthodox homes, and the birthrate of the community is accelerating. The overwhelming majority of Orthodox youngsters attend Jewish day schools or yeshivot, religiously sponsored academies. In fact, almost half of New York's Jews between 18-34 have attended such schools, while only 16 percent of folks between 55-69 had similar educations. Former Soviet Union Jews and the Orthodox community combined now represent 56 percent of the area's total Jewish population. The two groups' voting patterns run counter to the traditional belief that all Jews are politically liberal. This "new" voting model is especially evident in Brooklyn, whose population is now nearly one-quarter Jewish. Orthodox Jews, generally conservative in their politics, oppose same-sex marriage and seek public financial aid for their
Rabbi A. James Rudin is senior interreligious adviser of the American Jewish Committee.
Dear Editor, AJC commends the Presbyterian Church (USA) decision to reject divestment from three companies doing business with Israel. The divestment resolution was narrowly defeated by two votes (333-331) in a divisive debate at the PCUSA’s biennial General Assembly in Pittsburgh. A healthy majority accepted an amended resolution which called for “positive investment” and urged interfaith collaboration supporting development that could lead to a future Palestinian state. The PCUSA rebuff of divestment is a recognition that punitive measures aimed at Israel do not advance the cause of peace. The only true path to peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis is a return without preconditions to direct negotiations for a two-state solution. We hope Presbyterians and Jews can move beyond this debate and work together for positive approaches that will bring about the peace we all desire for Palestinians and Israelis. AJC is disappointed that PCUSA approved a separate resolution endorsing a blanket boy-
cott of Israeli products produced in the West Bank, calling that resolution “problematic.” Fortunately, a resolution labeling Israel an apartheid state was rejected overwhelmingly. Sincerely, Barbara Glueck Cincinnati, OH Dear Editor, Six months ago I felt the need to write to you, when I was sickened by your misguided choice for the cover story which appeared on the front page of the October 27, 2011 issue, “ADL guidelines help Miami cope with controversial picketing”. Little did I know that I would feel a need once again to write, as I was again sickened by your misguided choice to glorify drinking, when you chose to make your cover story and the accompanying photo for the July 5, 2012 issue of about “pre-gaming.” The sponsor of the programs for Young Professionals ages 21-35, was hardly mentioned—except to offer the first free drink (with an advanced RSVP) and offer a second free drink (if the participants remembered to bring their invitation).
Although your title states “Pregaming takes on a whole new definition for fun for YPs”, it appears to me that the Jewish Community simply is underwriting the same old definition of pre-gaming, which is to have a few drinks before the main event gets started. Don’t get me wrong – I am thrilled that the Young Professionals group enjoys their time together and will hopefully become the responsible leaders of our Cincinnati Jewish Community by the year 2020 (referencing Vision 2020, touted by Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, the Jewish Foundation, the Mayerson Foundation, etc.) I also understand that The American Israelite wants to appeal to younger audiences, with their automobile advertising and articles as well as their dining guides and subsequent advertising dollars. I must be a real stick-in-the-mud, because I do not glorify alcohol consumption with each and every activity that takes place, be it a fundraiser, a community action program, or a mixer. Sincerely, Mindy Nemoff Cincinnnati, OH
C O R R E C T I O N: In the July 5th, 2012 issue, Dining Out column,(“Going Home To Gabby’s,” page 14) incorrectly listed owner Dino DiStasi’s last name as “Destasi” in the fourth paragraph and as “Distasti” in the final paragraph; the correct spelling is DiStasi. We apologize for this error.
T EST Y OUR T ORAH KNOWLEDGE THIS WEEK’S PORTION: PINCHAS (BAMIDBAR 25:10—30:1) 1. What was Pinchas' reward for killing Zimri? a.) He was not put on trial for murder b.) He did have to run to a city of refuge c.) He received a covenant of peace from Hashem 2. Who was Pinchas' grandfather? a.) Not mentioned b.) Aaron the High Priest c.) Korach 3. Who commanded the war against Midian? a.) Hashem b.) Moshe tion because the daughters of Tzelopheh ad (27:3) said their father had no complaints against Moshe. Which might appear as a small bribe. R B'chai. 5. A 27:18 Hashem commanded Moshe to appoint Joshua as his successor, but speak to him in an encouraging way
by Rabbi A. James Rudin
parochial schools. The survey also brought less welcome news. One of five Jewish households in New York City, Long Island and Westchester live below the government's poverty level, and more than 11 percent of Jewish families require food stamps. Since 2008, users of a community kosher pantry have nearly doubled to 15,000. These shocking statistics shatter the myth that all American Jews are members of the middle and upper-middle classes. New York's non-Orthodox Jewish community is shrinking in both size and influence. Since 2002, the percentage of people who identify with Conservative Judaism has dropped from 23 to 18 percent, and the news is no better for the Reform movement. During the same period its adherents fell from 24 to 20 percent of the total Jewish population. Not surprisingly, many survey respondents labeled themselves simply "Jewish." This is similar to many other Americans, including Christians,who do not identify with any specific religious movement or denomination. The survey makes clear what many have long sensed or experienced. Paraphrasing Dickens, New York's 1.54 million Jews constitute a “Tale of Two Communities.” Many Orthodox Jews shun or are unaware of the long-established institutions that have provided religious, cultural, social, educational and counseling facilities for more than a century. There is also limited contact between the two communities: They worship in different synagogues, dress differently, work in in different professions, go to different schools and vote for different candidates. Jews have long prided themselves on communal unity, inclusiveness or "peoplehood," and a traditional set of shared values. But the survey's findings "significantly complicate efforts to build an overall sense of Jewish community— particularly (since) the largest groups —Orthodox and Russianspeaking Jewish households -function both as part of and separate from the larger Jewish community." However, John S. Ruskay, the UJA-Federation executive vice president, remains optimistic the various components of the Jewish community can “share both history and destiny — and we will chart Jewish life and contribute to it — enriched by the diversity.”
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c.) Aaron 4. Whom did Moshe bring the issue of the inheritance of a daughter to? a.) Hashem b.) Sanhedrin/Elders c.) Tried to arbitrate with the other relatives 5. Who decided the question of Moshe's successor? a.) Hashem b.) Moshe c.) Sanhedrin/Elders d.) The 12 princes of the tribes
2. B 25:11 Pinchas was a grandson of Aaron and a descendant of Yitro a Midianite convert. Therefore, he took barbs for killing a prince of the Children of Israel. 3. A 25:16,17 4. A 27:5 Moshe did not want to adjudicate the ques-
Point of View
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Written by Rabbi Dov Aaron Wise
ANSWERS 1. C 25:10-13 Pinchas was rewarded with a “covenant of Peace”, which meant that Pinchas was made into a priest/kohen. Pinchas was born before Aaron and his family were anointed priests, but he was not anointed at that time. Rashi
New survey brings good and bad news for Jewish community