In this past week’s issue, Avi Ciment introduced himself to your readership and used his opening article (“As I See It,” February 2, 2023) to describe “certain failings within the Modern Orthodox community.” He referenced a poll which found that “roughly a third of many Modern Orthodox children no longer keep many of the mitzvot like tefillin and kashrut, and they probably text on Shabbat.” He then goes on to say that “Modern Orthodoxy, except for pocket areas, is in trouble.”

The truth, I believe, is very much the opposite. At the present time, there are more graduates of Modern Orthodox yeshiva high schools attending yeshivas and seminaries in Israel than ever. Add to that the many other students who choose summer programs and camps that are centered around serious Torah learning and spiritual growth. Further, the flagship Modern Orthodox institution, Yeshiva University, has the largest incoming undergraduate class (a fact noted in that very same issue of The Jewish Link just a few pages earlier). Not only is Modern Orthodoxy not in trouble, it is actually stronger than ever!

I was disappointed to see this article in The Jewish Link, especially since your readership consists of a significant Modern Orthodox population. One can choose to find flaws and problems among any group or system, and Modern Orthodoxy has its share of challenges to overcome. But I think that overall its day schools and high schools do an excellent job of educating our kids and providing them with a foundation to build upon. Mr. Ciment chose to see it his way, I see it differently.