A group of Jewish academic experts and leaders warned this week that the overall Jewish population is showing almost no growth. At a Jewish Agency conference in Herzliya, a working group headed by Professor Arthur Naparstek of the UJC declared that demography and estrangement constitute threats to the strength of the Jewish people. While growth in the Diaspora is negative due to assimilation and intermarriage, growth in Israel remains positive.
The group stressed that it is imperative for the strength of the Jewish people and for Israel that Aliyah (immigration to Israel) be increased. Experts at the conference projected that between the years 2030 and 2050, most Jews in the world will reside in Israel. By 2010 Israel will in fact eclipse the United States to become the country with the world\'s largest Jewish population. According to a recent survey conducted by the Dahaf Institute, 80% of the Israeli public believes that Aliyah must be encouraged during these trying times.
The group also stated that increasing and improving Jewish education is essential for maintaining Jewish identity, and in the long run, Jewish existence. Worrisome is the fact that only less than fifty percent of Jewish children in counties with large Jewish populations receive some degree of Jewish education. The group feels that the Israeli government should assist Jewish communities around the world in furthering Jewish education.
The group reports of an increase in anti-Semitic activity worldwide, particularly in France. While certain neo-anti-Semites disguise their hatred of Jews by claiming to be anti-Israel, Jewish leaders said that anti-Israel sentiments are a cover for true anti-Semitism. Or in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, “Zionism is merely the dream of the Jewish nation to return and live in its land... When people condemn Zionists, they mean Jews...\"
The group stressed that it is imperative for the strength of the Jewish people and for Israel that Aliyah (immigration to Israel) be increased. Experts at the conference projected that between the years 2030 and 2050, most Jews in the world will reside in Israel. By 2010 Israel will in fact eclipse the United States to become the country with the world\'s largest Jewish population. According to a recent survey conducted by the Dahaf Institute, 80% of the Israeli public believes that Aliyah must be encouraged during these trying times.
The group also stated that increasing and improving Jewish education is essential for maintaining Jewish identity, and in the long run, Jewish existence. Worrisome is the fact that only less than fifty percent of Jewish children in counties with large Jewish populations receive some degree of Jewish education. The group feels that the Israeli government should assist Jewish communities around the world in furthering Jewish education.
The group reports of an increase in anti-Semitic activity worldwide, particularly in France. While certain neo-anti-Semites disguise their hatred of Jews by claiming to be anti-Israel, Jewish leaders said that anti-Israel sentiments are a cover for true anti-Semitism. Or in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, “Zionism is merely the dream of the Jewish nation to return and live in its land... When people condemn Zionists, they mean Jews...\"