A Half-Century (1970–2020) of the Social Scientific Study of Jewry: Reflections and Projections on Past, Present, and Future

Abstract

I begin with a tribute to my professors at Gratz College and Temple University in Philadelphia (1960–1966), at Hebrew University and Hayim Greenberg College in Jerusalem (1962–1963), and at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis (1966–1969), as well as to my colleagues and co-authors; and I follow with five substantive points:

1. An assessment of the past versus the present of the social scientific study of Jewry is offered, for which I note that the way to understand the social and religious adjustments of American Jews is to examine their economic and political adjustments first.

2. The changes across a 50-year time span of ASSJ as a professional organization are charted and reveal that between 1970 and 2020 the organization had more than tripled in size, became much more gender-balanced, and initiated a journal ( Contemporary Jewry), which published dozens of articles in the latest 3-year cycle.

3. Grounds for optimism versus pessimism in viewing the future of American Jewry are examined as follows:

   1. Antisemitism is increasing, but Jews are the most warmly regarded US religious group.

   2. Interfaith marriage continues, but a majority of children are receiving a Jewish upbringing.

   3. The religious “nones” are growing, but the great majority of them feel proud to be Jewish.

   4. Geographic mobility and residential dispersion continue, but new means of internet connections are growing.

4. Recommendations for the future of the social scientific study of US Jewry are offered.

5. Recommendations for the future of ASSJ are suggested.

Finally, I end with a personal tribute to my family and finish with a quote from the Talmud. “Scholars increase peace in the world,” and conclude with this praise: “To scholars and to peace!”