American Jewry is experiencing a “psychological insecurity” that will produce a more culturally-minded Jewish community a generation from now, Dr. Judah Shapiro, national director of B’nai B’rith’s Hillel Foundations, predicted today at a B’nai B’rith convention here. “Never before in its history has the American Jewish community shown such intensive concern for its cultural survival,” he said.
He called this a “heartening sign” that is “combatting the negativism” which prevailed among first generation American Jews “whose primary concerns were for physical and financial security and social acceptance. ” The “new kind of insecurity” in which young Jews are acknowledging a need for more intensive Jewish cultural and religious learning, is reflected in the present enrollment of more than 100, 000 college students in the 213 Hillel units maintained by B’nai B’rith on college campuses, Dr. Shapiro added.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
