October 26, 2008

Not sure it fits the facts

Bemoaning the Buddhists apparently isn't hurting the Hasidism. Whether from Williamsburg, Boro Park or Monsey are growing at exponential rates. Of course it is significantly due to high birth rates- some of my Hasidic clients have 8 or more children. But there is a significant number of Baal Teshuvas (returnees to orthodoxy.) And as one person pointed out, you aren't seeing a return to Reformed or Reconstructionist Judaism.

My liberal mainstream Reformed (RCA) pastor suggests that we might increase our dwindling congregation by enforcing some degree of orthodoxy rather than stressing hospitality. He reasons that there is more passion at Yankee Stadium where everyone believes in baseball and their team than in Grand Central Station where there is more openness to diversity. There are growing congregations which enforce male elders and deacons in liberal Park Slope. Probably no less negative than other congregations but they do seem to have a strong personal growth ethos.