Israel must bring Diaspora Jews home before assimilation takes them - opinion

In a recent column for The Jerusalem Post, editor-in-chief Zvika Klein lamented the crisis facing world Jewry, specifically focusing on the 70% intermarriage rate in the United States. Should this trend persist, the Jewish community will likely vanish within a short span. However, there exists a glimmer of hope – one that few are willing to discuss.

While organizations like Nefesh B'Nefesh strive for aliyah, they simultaneously filter out potential immigrants deemed less suitable, including intermarried individuals, those who do not follow Orthodox Judaism, and those who have converted to other faiths. This process of elimination could result in the loss of a significant portion of the Jewish population, who, upon arriving in Israel, would embrace traditional practices, learn Hebrew, and connect with their cultural heritage.

Their children would be more likely to marry fellow Jews, serving in the military and attending universities. This influx of assimilated Jews would bolster Israel's future and counteract the loss of Diaspora Jews. Sadly, many Israeli politicians are reluctant to address this issue, seemingly accepting the inevitable disappearance of Diaspora Jews.

Critics argue that such a stance lacks compassion and understanding of Judaism's teachings on loving one's neighbor. The Law of Return, however, does not discriminate based on religious observance or marital status, emphasizing that all ethnically Jewish individuals are deserving of a place in their homeland.