The Vanishing American Jew

March 3, 1997
In a provocative call to action, Dershowitz argues that American Jewry is in danger of extinction by the middle of the next century, because of skyrocketing rates of intermarriage and assimilation, combined with low birth rates. In order to survive, "Judaism must become less tribal, less ethnocentric, less exclusive, less closed-off, less defensive, less xenophobic and less clannish," asserts this Harvard Law School professor, lawyer and prolific author (Chutzpah). His most original proposal calls for an overhaul of Jewish education to make classes and study groups more accessible, widespread and relevant to secular Jews who are largely ignorant of Jewish history and culture. He advocates further that Jews become more welcoming of the non-Jewish spouse in intermarriage. Religious Jews, he adds, must accept the validity of secular Jews who reject ritual but embrace Judaism as an evolving civilization. Although Dershowitz believes that institutionalized anti-Semitism has all but disappeared, he offers suggestions as to how Jews can monitor and oppose bigotry among the militia movement, Holocaust deniers, African American extremists and the religious right. His thoughtful, unsentimental analysis of the future prospects of American Jewry deserves close attention. Author tour.

November 15, 1996
Famed lawyer Dershowitz argues that through intermarriage and assimilation, the American Jewish community is in danger of fading away.

January 1, 1997
In his 1991 book "Chutzpah," Dershowitz, lawyer, educator, and ubiquitous television commentator, explored what it means to be a Jew in America. Here, he wonders whether American Jewry will survive at all. Both intermarriage and assimilation are taking their toll; many young Jews simply don't feel their Judaism is central to their identity. Dershowitz makes an excellent case for the importance of Judaism in both the personal lives of Jews and in the public life of America. He also offers useful suggestions for keeping young people within the Jewish community. All this, however, would have only made a rather short book, so Dershowitz branches out into other discussions--black-Jewish relations, the anti-Semitism of the militia movement, the Mideast situation--areas that, while of undeniable interest, seem to belong in another book. Dershowitz also has a tendency to repeat himself, making the same point over and over, so what might have been a short book turns out to be a very long book indeed. Although this title is primarily of interest to Jews, Dershowitz's notoriety and lively writing style broaden its appeal. ((Reviewed January 1 & 15, 1997))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1997, American Library Association.)