| In the US, Orthodox Jews are concentrated in "Jewish" neighborhoods because of the need to be close to the shul and kosher markets. Their communities are thriving. Most Reform Jews, however, do not attend synagogue (except maybe on High Holy Days) or keep kosher, so they live in gentile neighborhoods. Add in the intermarriage statistics and it is no wonder Reform synagogues and organizations are having trouble getting members and donations. "Elitist" leadership is not the cause of Reform Jews feeling alienated. It is because the branches (families) are being cut from the tree (the Torah, synagogue) and the leaves (people) are scattered to the wind. |
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