American Jews “an Endangered Species” Because of Assimilation, Low Birth Rate

A leading authority on American Jewry last night characterized Jews in this country as “an endangered species” because of a high rate of assimilation and a low birth rate.

Speaking to some 1,000 persons at the 78th annual meeting of the National Conference of Jewish Communal Service (NCJCS). Milton Himmelfarb, director of informational research for the American Jewish Committee, said American Jewry faces extinction due to its high rate of assimilation into the larger non-Jewish society, which by and large, has been good to its Jewish citizens. At the same time Himmelfarb said American Jews are “committing mass suicide” because of their low birth rate. He recommended that every Jewish family in the country have at least three children.

As a reaction to assimilation, Himmelfarb predicted an increase in proselytizing by Jewish groups and organizations. Jews should stop feeling uncomfortable with this or other activities that are in the interest of Jewish survival, he declared.

Samuel Katz, the NCJCS’ outgoing president, said Jewish communal services needs to incorporate the techniques and findings of the behavioral sciences while continuing to intensify the Jewish commitment and understanding of the professionals in the field. “The research findings and new methodology which are being put into practice by business, industry, government and think tanks, are scarcely to be found in the field of Jewish communal service,” according to Katz, director of the AJCommittee’s community service department. “The time has come when there should be a duet between the Jewish component of our work and our practical skills enriched by the techniques and findings of the behavioral scientists.”