Steven I. Weiss writes about Samuel Heilman’s new book:
Orthodoxy is set to become the dominant element in American Jewry in the next two decades, if it hasn’t already. Boasting vastly higher rates for all the significant matrices of Jewish involvement, as well as higher birth rates and retention of constituency from both assimilation and intermarriage, there is a case to be made that the Orthodox have taken not simply the denominational lead over traditional powerhouses Reform and Conservative Judaism, but are ready to grab hold of even the non-denominational groups that represent the heart of Jewish giving and communal organization, such as the United Jewish Communities. If the Orthodox weren’t at the top of the ladder when the most recent National Jewish Population Survey was conducted in 2002, the numbers it presented assured that Orthodoxy’s ascent is a given.
Dr. Heilman responds to Weiss: "I don’t understand what you think one gets from being quoted in the paper. For me, it translates to the barks and bites on this blog — nothing else of value. You may consider this disingenuous — why else would I talk to them? I do because I talk to everyone — even the people of this blog who have taken character assassination behind the veil of anonymity to a new height. If you want to debate with me directly, by all means do so. If instead you want to sling zingers from behind your pseudonyms in public, I suggest instead write your own books and articles. Of course you will have to find someone to publish this." I emailed Dr. Heilman for an interview last year. He did not respond. I will try again.
