Long Beach—From marrying out to not marrying at all, the Jewish world of love has never been more threatened. Data suggests that between 40% and 50% of Jewish young adults will fall into one of those categories.
In Orthodox circles, the rise of unmarrieds is described as ‘the shidduch crisis.’ In the more liberal Jewish movements, rising concern continues to center on Jews who no longer feel bound to marry another Jew.
In a special two-day event, The Union for Traditional Judaism—a non-profit transdenominational organization—invites the community to explore solutions to two of our greatest internal challenges: intermarriage and the shidduch crisis.
On Sunday and Monday, Sept. 11-12, leaders from a number of Jewish organizations and groups will explore creative approaches to these challenges, as well as inviting both singles and couples to schmooze in a special Sunday evening networking opportunity.
Featured speakers will include:
- Marc Goldmann, founder of the leading online dating service SawYouAtSinai
- Rabbi Asher Lopatin, president at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah
- Dr. Steven Bayme, director of the Contemporary Jewish Life Department, American Jewish Committee
- Dr. Sharon Weiss-Greenberg, executive director of the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance
- Zev Brenner, popular Orthodox Jewish radio host and founder of Talkline Communications
- Rabbi David Novak, president of UTJ, and also holds J. Richard and Dorothy Shiff Chair of Jewish Studies as professor of religion and philosophy in the University of Toronto
- Temima Goldberg Shulman, a Jerusalem-born, award winning writer and teacher based in New Jersey
The program will take place at the Long Beach Hotel, 405 E. Broadway, Long Beach, N.Y. Check-in begins 2pm Sunday.
The program will also include a special 9-11 commemoration and a memorial to Elie Wiesel, of blessed memory, a board member of the Institute for Traditional Judaism.
To register, click on http://utj.org/node/90 or call (718) 442-1158, or e-mail [email protected] for more information. The full conference cost is $192.50 per person (based on double-occupancy), including Sunday night hotel and Sunday dinner through Monday lunch. A la carte options are available starting at $36 for advanced conference registration. Financial assistance is available.
