The test of a civilization is how deeply it feels about its future, both its known and still unknown grandchildren. This ability to care for those whom may never know us must truly be the mark of the exalted personality; the person who has some chance of altering history for the best. It is with this in mind, that the news from the recent 2020 PEW Report on American Jewry may be cause for new concern. The 2020 survey included a new question aimed at helping to assess the importance of Jewish Americans of passing along their Jewish identity. .
[Only] six-in-ten Jews say it would be very important (34%) or somewhat important (28%) for their grandchildren to be Jewish.” (PEW, 41) Roughly one-third of U.S. Jews say it is very important that their grandchildren be Jewish (34%).” (PEW, 103.) Only a third believe it is “important” is significant. That 28% feel it is “somewhat important” may be too vague to add much meaning.
See a longer version of this post on The Times of Israel.
My new book examines some of the root causes tracing my family from Vilna to the Suburban South in the 1950s and 1960s. https://www.davidkuney.com.