How Common is it for Jews Born Orthodox to Remain Orthodox?

This is a fascinating question. Here's a detailed exploration.

A2A

Thanks for your contribution, and let's start with a good resource: A Portrait of American Orthodox Jews.

Overview and Context

The trend and statistics related to the retention of Orthodox identity among those born into this community are not static. The resurgence and apparent strength of Orthodox Jewish communities in the USA and Israel, which can be attributed to a smaller initial base population, do not guarantee invincibility. Similarly, the implosion of the US Non-Orthodox Jewish population should not be celebrated; every Jewish soul lost is a tragedy. The Pew Report is a reliable source for current data on this topic.

Short Answer: Retention Rate

According to the Pew Report, only 52% of US Jews who were raised Orthodox remain Orthodox. However, this percentage can be misleading without considering the nuance in younger versus older populations.

Longer Discussion: Nuanced Retention Rates

Table from Pew Report: Among Americans raised as Orthodox Jews, 62% of those ages 18-29 are still Orthodox compared with just 22% of those 65 and older. Period Effects: Experts suggest that the significant shift in Orthodox retention rates is due to a "period effect" rather than a "life cycle effect". This indicates that the substantial departures from Orthodoxy that occurred from the 1950s to the 1970s have been largely halted, and there's a higher retention rate in recent decades. Current Retention Rate Estimate: Based on these points, it is estimated that about 70% of Orthodox Jews born after the 1970s, regardless of religious subcategories, remain Orthodox.

Observations and Additional Considerations

Migration to Israel: Anecdotal evidence suggests that a higher percentage of Orthodox Jews from the USA migrate to Israel compared to Non-Orthodox Jews. This could skew results to slightly underestimate US Orthodox retention rates. Modern Orthodox Subcategories: The report does not account for the number of individuals who become Orthodox later in life versus those raised that way. This could influence the overall retention numbers. Non-Orthodox Identities: The Pew Report focuses on Orthodox Jews; data on Jews who become Orthodox later could provide a different perspective.

Conclusion

The retention rate of Orthodox Jews born into the community is complex, with a high likelihood of around 70% remaining Orthodox. Continuous vigilance and engagement are necessary to ensure cultural and religious continuity within this community. Recognizing the nuanced factors and trends can help guide strategies for maintaining and strengthening Orthodox identity.