1
Congregation Rodef Sholom
march / april 2014 | 5774
The Pew Study —
What Really Matters
by Rabbi Stacy Friedman
This past fall, the
Pew Research
Center published its
landmark study on
American Jews. In
the short time since
its appearance,
the study has...
More
1
Congregation Rodef Sholom
march / april 2014 | 5774
The Pew Study —
What Really Matters
by Rabbi Stacy Friedman
This past fall, the
Pew Research
Center published its
landmark study on
American Jews. In
the short time since
its appearance,
the study has
provoked debate,
deep concern, and countless articles
in response. Many people view the
Pew findings to be discouraging
and foreboding, and dire warnings
have ensued about the future of
the American Jewish community.
However, others disagree with the
interpretations and focus of the
results. In fact recently, in response to
the near hysteria, the Jewish Journal
of Los Angeles printed the following
notices in its weekly newspaper: “Pew
Schmew,” “Stick it to the Pew,” and
“Who’s afraid of the big, bad Pew?”
Yes, taken on their own, the numbers
and statistics could potentially appear
alarming. The findings include
significant increases in the percentage
of Jews who consider themselves
as having no religion, a markedly
increased intermarri
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