We Read Jewish Magazines So You Don’t Have To

in relation to Hannah Farber's article:

Jewish women are not baby factories. they are human beings like everyone else. yes, it's a mitzvah to be fruitful and multiply, but why should these women give up everything to become housewives with 5 screaming brats in tow? i went to a book reading at the JCC Manhattan last week, where the author noted that the average (non-Orthodox) Jewish woman gets married at 28 but doesn't give birth until 37. this is a concern not only for Jewish continuity, but also for the physical well-being of the woman in question. what about women who are infertile, have same-sex partners, or simply don't want kids? adoption is always a viable option, as is in vitro fertilization. with that said, the same author also stated that "we were not put on this Earth simply to make more Jews." he has a point. is this really the message the Jewish community wants to emit- drop everything you're doing, find a nice Jewish husband (preferably a doctor or lawyer), and reproduce like there's no tomorrow. there's more to Judaism than simply squeezing out kids.

as for Rabbi Schwartz...well, he certainly made an ass of himself with those highly articulate emails. i understand his dedication to preserving Jewish continuity. it's a mission we all share, though with differing viewpoints. clearly his was off the deep end. with all the recently released studies on intermarriage, it seems people are now looking at a broader scope rather than who Jews are dating or marrying. they are looking at how children are being raised and the corrolation between Rabbinic officiation at intermarriages and increased Jewish participation. there are constant stories of interfaith couples at Chabad houses and even Hillel has opened its doors to non-Jews, some of whom might be dating Jews. this doesn't mean we've totally softened our stance on intermarriage. it means that we realize this is a part of life and we must do everything we can to make sure these people don't abandon the fold completely. there are still individuals who believe the only sure fire method to increase continuity is in-marriage. but they are living in a time capsule, and if they continue to do so they will only drive more people away. rather than dictating to Jews who to date and marry, they should be figuring out how to enrich their lives spiritually and culturally so that people can have positive reasons to in-marry rather than feel as though their going with the motions.