How do couples from two traditions (Jewish and Christian) deal with the sensitive issues that are sure to arise in an intermarriage? Here is the first book from a biblical perspective that tackles the thorny subject of intermarriage. . . . explains the differences between [Judaism and Christianity], focusing on the problems of intermarriage . . . well-written work. -- Christian Retailing, June 9, 2003 . . . lays out a way for couples to navigate difficult waters successfully . . . an excellent resource. -- The Messianic Times, May 2003 . . .comprehensive assemblage of views and facts on issues of intermarriage, assimilation, and maintaining Jewish identity . . . deserves a wide readership. -- Dr. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., President, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary As a Reform rabbi, I found this study fascinating and challenging. -- Rabbi Dan Cohn-Sherbok, Professor of Judaism, University of Wales Rudolph brings a new remedy to age-old dilemmas . . . can be recommended to Jewish and Christian spouses who seek support. -- CBA Marketplace, July 2003 Do you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, or both? Do you worship in a church, a synagogue, or no place at all? How will you raise your children - Jewish or Christian? "Growing Your Olive Tree Marriage" addresses these issues and more with sensitivity and wisdom, offering a solution for intermarrieds. Topics covered include: a biblical overview of intermarriage, classic and modern approaches to intermarriage, worshipping as a family, and options for resolving intermarriage dilemmas. David J. Rudolph, a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Cambridge handles this touchy issue with sensitivity and wisdom, and offers a godly solution. Intermarried for fifteen years, the author provides insight and suggestions to help engaged couples, those already married, and the friends and family of intermarrieds. Chapter 1 Why Intermarriage is a Hot Issue Are you intermarried or considering intermarriage? If so, you are not alone. In the United States, there are over 2 million people just like you! Over the last decade, one out of every two American Jews intermarried. According to the 2001 American Jewish Identity Survey: Of all adults since 1990, who say they are Jewish by religion or of Jewish parentage or upbringing . . . 51% are married to a spouse who is not of Jewish origins and an additional 9% are married to a spouse who is a convert to Judaism. In some parts of the country, most notably the West Coast, the intermarriage rate among Jews has topped 80 percent. How are synagogues faring? Surveys indicate that it will not be long before the majority of families in Reform synagogues (the largest community of affiliated Jews in the United States) will be intermarried. It has already approached 60 percent in many congregations. Reform leadership families have also been profoundly affected by this trend. One study found that a third of the children of Reform leaders had intermarried and that 25 percent of the leaders themselves were intermarried! Intermarriage, however, is not limited to the Reform community. Among Jews who married between 1970 and 1990, 56 percent of Reform Jews, 37 percent of Conservative Jews, and 11 percent of Orthodox Jews intermarried. Among Jews without any denominational preference, which is one quarter of all Jews, the figure rose to 82 percent. According to the 1990 National Jewish Population Survey (NJPS), of the nearly one million Gentiles (non-Jews) married to Jews, approximately 95 percent chose not to convert to Judaism. Why is the Jewish community so alarmed about the above figures? There are many reasons. However, of utmost concern is the impact intermarriage is having on the continuity of Jewish identity. The fact is that American Jews are decreasing in numbers, primarily due to low birth rates, but also because of non-conversion intermarriage. Consider the following population projections tabulated by Professor Sergio DellaPergola of Hebrew University: Jewish Population Projection Status Quo Assumption Year / Size of Jewish Population [United States] 1990 / 5,515,000 2000 / 5,588,000 2010 / 5,376,000 2020 / 5,204,000 2030 / 4,851,000 2040 / 4,281,000 2050 / 3,716,000 2060 / 3,228,000 2070 / 2,742,000 2080 / 2,294,000 How does intermarriage contribute to the disappearance of more than two million Jews in three generations? If we look at Jewish families in the United States, the number of young children with one Jewish parent already exceeds the number of young children with two Jewish parents. We now know that among "children in the age group zero-to-nine who are living with two parents, there are 410,000 living in households where both parents are Jewish, and 479,000 living in households where one parent is Jewish and the other is not." Susan Schneider notes that these children of Jewish-Christian intermarriage "will comprise the majority of American Jews by the year 2050