Rabbi Rifat Sonsino, Ph.D
As I survey the changes that have taken place in Jewish identity today, I note the following:
1. 80 % of world Jewry lives either in the USA (about 7.3 million, out of 349 +million in 2026) or in Israel (about 7.5 million, out of the total population of about 10 million). NY State has the largest Jewish community in the USA (c.1.7 million).
2. A recent poll taken about American Jews showed that only 40 % are affiliated with a synagogue. The rest identify themselves simply as “ethnic” Jews. The rate of affiliation is higher among Orthodox Jews. The Jewish Conservative movement in America is on the decline. On the other hand, some Reform congregations are thriving because of good programing for the young and old. There is a lack of rabbinic candidates in all the Jewish seminaries.
3. In many Reform congregations in the USA, there is now a tendency to observe more traditional rituals, and to revive long discarded beliefs, such as resurrection (see the popular use of “who revives the dead” in the liturgy ) or the ready acceptance of miracles, even though both are often interpreted allegorically.
4. With regard to the belief in God, many Reform Jews continue to uphold the traditional theistic view of God ( as , father, redeemer etc.) , whereas a strong but vocal minority (me included) strongly defends a non-theistic and naturalistic theology where God is viewed as the energy of the universe that does not answer prayers and does not intervene in human affairs. See, our book, A God we Can Believe In (2022).
5. The recent rise of antisemitism around the world has shocked Jews who have witnessed attacks on synagogues and other Jewish institutions ,and now many shun the display of Jewish symbols on themselves fearing assault by crazy people. Many blame local Jews for Israel’ s role in Gaza, West bank , and Iran.
6. Though most Jews enthusiastically support Israel as a legitimate homeland for Jews, other Jews are uncomfortable with its right-wing government that appeases the “haredim” (the extreme Orthodox Jews in Israel) and keeps legalizing new settlements in the West Bank.
7. There is a strong commitment to social action and a greater acceptance of diversity among Reform Jews who welcome gays, lesbians and trans, more than any other ethnic group in America.
As times go by, I trust new identities will emerge and new alliances will appear within the Jewish community. For, I maintain, “Am Yisrael Hay, “the people of Israel is alive and well, and will find its own way in the future.
Your thoughts?
