nity. To them the issue of how electoral an official position except the American not included in governmental de~ennit#~,]dbe in, reform would adversely affect American Jewish Congress, which is against it. censuses and because Jewish organiafOur.~t this Jewry may or may not be a legitimate Sumeys of state legislators, to whom any tions, on the whole, are reluctant ileWs r consideration, incidental to their position constitutional amendment must be for- spend the money involved in makinimillionis n, based on more general principles. warded once past Congress, have indi- sampling surveys for demographic put{ However Perhaps ironically, Stuart Eizenstat, cated bipartisan support-though poses. Before 1970, relatively fe$ in N~WYor Special Assistant to the President for whether it would be enough for ratifica- Jewish communities did gather dernd by Domestic Affairs, once active in Atlan- tion is anybody's guess. graphic data using sampling methods;; philanthrop ta's Jewish community and the father of a People up on Capitol Hill say there is a However, even in these communities; all, the An; Jewishday school student, worked on the good chance Bayh's amendment will the data was soon outdated. :. whichhas f reform proposal with Vice President come up for a vote in the Senate, where it Means other than sampling to obta'q bles on the Mondale and David Rubinstein, another is expected to pass. There is no indication data on Jewish populations, particuladl prepared 1 White House aide. Eizenstat jokingly that the efforts of Senator William Prox- in large cities, are not tmstworthy anddr CJFWF, I says, "we outnumbered Mondale two to mire, who for several years has inserted not obtain current information such s 1,836,000 one" but after paying "particular atten- into the Congressional Record a daily age, income, etc. Henrietta Szold, as through Vo tion" to the intpact of minorities decided item advocating electoral reform, has editor of the American Jewish Yeai, year, the tot the loss was not substantial enough to significantly molded public opinion. Book, was engaged in aproject of findini bmmghs w warrant retention of the electoral college However, the issue is now a priority with the number of in Baltimore ifBook (althc system. Jimmy Carter, who is pushing for Senate 1899-1901 by use of death rates. Thii state totals: approval. method, which had its own complici NJPS was I here seems to be widespread support Passage in the Senate would transfer tions, has been used on other occasions,: The Ame T for direct vote, although it is one of the debate over electoral reform to each but, at best, it cannot give much usefu' used the to those issues that lends itself more to of the fifty states, three quarters of whose demographic information on the livini for Mew Yt philosophical platitudes than to practical ratification is necessary to make direct Jews. The Yom Kippur method, white to action. A recent Gallup poll showed 81 vote the law of the land. The road wit1 gave an estimate of Jews by comparing: sampling o percent of Americans sumeyed in favor surely be a long one; rejection by only attendance in public schools on Yomi population, of direct election of the President. Major thirteen states will kill the proposal, Kippur with an ordinary school day, had' organizations, among them the Ameri- while many more than that would many drawbacks and was not very help. can Bar Association, the AFL-CIO, the theoretically lose influence under direct ful as regards to other demographic i?. w1":: Chamber of Commerce and the League vote. The challenge to the Jewish com- formation. Finally, thecouncil of Jewisi ethnic corn! of Women Voters, have endorsed the munity nevertheless exists, and must be Federations and WelfareFunds (CJFWR' fected. Lar concept; most Jewish groups don't have addressed. sponsored the National Jewish Popula, of the recena tion Study (NJPS) 1970-71. This na. There has I tional study included data on the Net Jews from York Jewish population, encompassing another. A: the five boroughs of City, it holds its I How Many Jews Westchester and Nassau-Suffolk, using families. sampling methods. Bureau o According to NJPS, the number 01 YorkCity a in ? members of Jewish households in 1970. in populatic 71 was distributed as follows: Brooklvn. I this pe;iod, Manhattan 171,000 157,000 03 jack Diamond Bronx 143,000 However, 5147000 figure, whic 379,000 that may h; eams of paper have been used in the candidates for mayor in the last election Staten Island 21,000 terbalanced R last few years to write ahout New were Jews, that the Jewish population of Total NYC 1,228,000 There is York City's financial and economic this city is at its acme. Far from it. population plight but relatively little attention has There are reasons to believe that there Even this figure of 1.2 million for rate of abo been paid to the city's declining Jewish are only about 750,000 Jews living in the 1970-71 may be considered an overestl. years bet" population. The decline in the number of five boroughs of New York City in Oc- mate if we consider NJPS definitions and Center for Jews is certainly worthy of attention, and tober 1977. This, of course, conflicts totals. According to NJPS, a household Graduate S has had and will have far-reaching effects with the widespread impression that is "Jewish" even if only one respondent of CUNY, ; on the Jewish community and on the gen- there are two million Jews in New York is "Jewish." All other members of the/ Survey, us, eral population. City, which may or may not have been household are included in the totals even; in their satr Let no one suppose that because New true at the zenith of the city's Jewish though they may be brought up in another total numb, York has elected, as mayor, two Jews in population a few decades ago. religion. The definition of a "Jew" IS declined by succession, or that three of the major four Statistics on the Jewish population of one who has or had at least one Jewish of 80,000 1 New York City (and elsewhere in the parent. Thus, a family of four which in. If we ass1 JACKDIAMOND Writes ondemography and re- United States) are hard to come by be- cluded a person whohad only one Jewish decline in laled subjects. cause religion andlor ethnic groups are parent and who married a non-Jew, York Citym CONGRESS MONTHLY JANUARY October 1, 1977, which seems reason- creased sizably. As to "singles," the t this writing, the number of non- able, we come to a round figure of about NJPS has published the amazing statistic ho are pan of the total of 1.2 750,000 at the October date. that 47.4% of Jewish households in But this bleak numherof 750,000 Jews Manhattan in 1970-7 1 were one-person in New York City at present, does not tell households. While a large number of the full story. We must anticipate further these one-person households were of large declines because of the make-up of aged widows and widowers, it still indi- the present Jewish population and some cates a high Jewish "singles" popula- ongoing trends among Jews. tion. In the New York area, including In the NJPS of 1970-7 1, we find a very Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester, large proportion of Jewish aged. The Jewish one-person households were Bronx had 33.6% of its total Jews at age one-sixth of the total households. 65 or older; Manhattan had 27.2% of its Nor can replenishment of New York Jews in this age group; and Brooklyn had City's Jewish population be expected 18.7% of this age. It is clear that the from migration from the rest of the proportion of Jewish aged in New York United States or from foreign immigra- City exceeds the national Jewish popula- tion. While there undoubtedly has been a tion average and probably of most other large departure of Jews from New York religious, ethnic or racial groups. Unfor- City to the suburbs, to neighboring areas tunately we may expect a high death rate and states, to , and forthe Jews of New York City becauseof other states across the nation, there also the age factor, even though Jews seem to has been a flow of Jews into New York have long life expectancy. City; but this in-migration has been rela- On the other hand, the proportion of tively small. About 10,000 Russian Jews children, particularly those between the have resettled in New York City since population, which is nowhere in sight. ages of five and fourteen, in the 1970-7 1 Jews have emigrated from the Soviet study, was somewhat below the national Union. No one has reliable statistics on Jewish norm. We have known for years the Israeli Jews who have recently made that Jews have had tow birth rates (to their homes in the city but the number is ethnic composition, withJews greatly af- which the rest of the population seems to not a major factor affecting the Jewish fected. Large "Jewish" neighborhoods be catching up). The low proportion of population. "white" children attending public schools in New York City was given in e are thus faced with a Jewishpopu- of November 20, w lation of New York City which has 1977 which quoted Board of Education dwindled to about 750,000 and which statistics that 71% of the students were will continue to decline drastically if pre- "minority," mostly black and Pnerto sent trends continue. Rican, and only 29% were white. This demographic situation in the "Whites," of course, included many world center of Jewish communal and non-Jews. Lest someone raise the argu- creative activity should jolt the Jewish ment that many Jewish children in New community into at least confronting the York City attend all-day schools, the problems involved, hut, alas, the organi- Board of Jewish Education reports that in zations and institutions go about their ever, 157,000 represents a "net" 1973-74 only 43,942 children attended usual programs paying little heed to this Jewish all-day schools in the city. We enormous change. may deduce that it is unlikely that there Many fundamental questions need an- will be a significant replenishment of swers, or at least widespread discussion: Jews from births in this city. 1. In the face of the dwindling num- From the high proportion of the Jewish bers and the closing of institutions such aged in New York City and the low per- as synagogues, Jewish schools, etc., do centage of children, it seems likely that the living and sustaining Jews need a large numbers of middle-aged married rationale, a theology or a philosophy to couples have departed from the city leav- buoy their spirits or do we ignore the NY, as part of a Population Health ing their parents behind. situation? Among the reasons for the low birth 2. When will the Federation of Jewish rates of Jews are the increasing divorce Philanthropies change its old pattern of rates among Jews and the relatively new allocations and recognize the new de- development of a large number of Jewish mographic situation with the different "singles." Though there is little "hard" needs of the Jewish community from information on divorces among Jews, what it was 20 or 30 years ago? there is little doubt that the incidence of 3. When will Jewish organizations, divorce among Jewish couples has in- national and local, give priority to Jewish 9 demographic problems and their implica- and culture? account. In part, this was due to the sub First is th' tions for the future, including to the or- 5. Will the Jewish community set up servient position of women in society 4 renderedi ganizations themselves? an apparatus to get the information, fol- large. But in the Jewish community, "modest! 4. Will the New York City govern- low the trends and analyqe the "facts" as another factor, operating on both the ''good ta. ment attempt to stem the tide of departing to what's going on as regards the Jewish conscious and the unconscious levels, govern Jews and other ethnic groups which have population of the historically largest and was the powerful desire for group sur. 'heirspee contributed greatly to the city's economy perhaps greatest center of the Jews? vival. In the ancient end medieval liclY and eras-and the Middle Ages continued foi homes. the bulk of Eastem European and Orien gmds it tal Jewrv'well into the twentieth mandator. century--disease and malnutrition car. derive pi ded off many infants and children. la which has Sex in addition, there was the persistent pros. that token pect of expulsion and massacre threaten. establishe ing the physical preservation of the reading th Robert Gordis Jewish group. Obviously, the problem 01 eve, and overpopulation which confronts us in the man's cor twentieth century was not remotely are expli~ dreamed of. Nevertheless, the minim4 text. The he Jewish attitude toward sex takes, holiness." limits of the biblical commandment, a ars and tl T as its point of departure, the funda- From its inception, Iudaism has al- laid down by the Halakah, are clear. tions on mental principle that maniage and mar- ways recognized two purposes in mar- Rashi on riage alone is the proper framework for riage, both spelled out in the opening he protection of children is a basic "for plea sexual experience. The maniage rela- pages of Scripture. The fust is the ful- T goal of mamiage, hut it is not the only ment." N : tionship between a man and a woman is fillment of the first commandment, "Be one. It is noteworthy that, in the Bible, mystical f not a concession to the lower instincts, fruitful and multiply" (Gen. 1:28), Eve is created for Adam before procrea. be perfon ' but, on the contrary, the ideal human which is as much a blessing as it is an tion is contemplated, while they are stiU While ' ; state, because it alone offers the opportu- imperative throughout the tradition. in the Garden of Eden. The second func. irregular :, nity for givingexpression to all aspects of Children are uniformly regarded as a tion of 'marriage is that of companion, man and v ! human nature. Speaking of his celibacy, blessing. The Bible is replete with refer- ship. Actually, it is the only motive as. in the co~ : Paul said, "I would that all men were as ences to children as God's greatest boon. signed in the creation of a helpmate for they are I." But when the sage Simeon ben Azzai When the patriarch Abraham is assured, Adam: "It is not good for man to dweU favors tht did not marry, he felt constrained to "Fear not, I am your shield; your reward alone; I will make a helper fit for him" others be( I apologize by saying, "My soul loves the will be very great," he responds, "What (Gen. 2:18). ! Torah," explaining that he wished to can You give me, if I die childless?" The insight that companionship whid dedicate himself wholeheartedly to study (Gen. 15:1,2). Rachel, Jacob's beautiful includes sexual relations is a legitimate u :;:: 1 without worldly concerns. The differ- wife, knows that he loves her deeply, but end in itself in maniage is not merely an masculine ence in attitude is highlighted by the she nevertheless cries out in pain, "Give implication of the biblical story but is that decen 1 emergence of monastic orders in Chris- me children, or otherwise I die" (Gen. explicitly spelled out in Jewish law. they were / tianity, which have no counterpart in 30: 1). Psalm 128 paints an ideal picture Moreover, the joy of sexual activity is8 This myth Judaism. of the family gathered around the table, good in itself, distinct from procreation. titude tha i Jewish tra I Ideally, every human being should with a consistent emphasis upon children The Halakah teaches that weak, old, apd 1 live as a unit within a family, for the as a good. sterile persons should mamy, even when of cant. I family is the ideal human group. The The commandment " Be fruitful and there is no possibility of children. Thus long bef~ rabbis declare that he who has no wife is multiply" is defined by the Halakah with the rabbis could endorse wholeheartedly Psycholog deprived of joy, of blessing, of all good, characteristic minuteness. The obliga- the sentiment of a modern sociologisl: the human and lacks Torah, protection, and peace. tion is fulfilled as soon as two children "Sex exists not only for the propagation ponent 01 Strictly speaking, the Hebrew legal term are horn, theonly question being whether of the race, but for the increase of indi. Adam anc for betrothal,' which was virtually tan- two boys are necessary, as the school of vidual human happiness.'' Eden they tamount to marriage, kiddushin, means. Shammai insists, or one boy and one girl, While a negative attitude toward sex. the fmit o "separation from all others." It was, as Hillel avers. ual relations is sporadically encountered fers imrno however, popularly interpreted, quite in To be sure, families at that time were in Jewish literature, particularly under other mira the spirit of the tradition, as "the state of generally larger, often substa~itiallvso, the impact of medieval asceticism and Tree of K - The reason isto be found in severai fac- pietism, it is far from representing the pressly for This article is drawn from Dr. Gordis' book, tors, personal and social. Since sexual normative view. Basically, sexual rela have S~OU Love and Sex, to be published in February by represents Farrar Straus Girour. (Copyright Q 1978 by intercourse was a constant in the lives of tions between husband and wife, while married couples, the absence of con- naturally private and intimate, are held to ence wit} Robert Cordis.) Rabbi Gordis is Professor of Procreatioi Bible and Rapaport Professor in the traceptive devices naturally led to regular be a perfectly legitimate form of pleasure Philosophies of Religion at the Jewish pregnancies and the birth of larger num- which justifies itself as such, even with, tinued to h Theological Seminary of America. Editor of bers of children. The health of the mother out the goal of procreation. Life and t Judaism, hc is the author and editor of more and even the economic condition of the Indeed, Judaism holds fast to two wo~ldhav indicates, than 20 books dealing with Jewish life. family were rarely, if ever, taken into complementary concepts in this area. JANUAR' CONGRESS MONTHLY