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Intermarriage and Conservative Judaism A

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Conservative Judaism's decades-long stance against intermarriage has created a widening chasm between official doctrine and congregational realities, threatening both community cohesion and Jewish continuity. Through analysis of Conservative movement documents from 1940-1989 and extensive congregational observations, a complex picture emerges of two parallel but often conflicting positions: categorical opposition to intermarriage alongside *Keruv* (outreach) policies designed to welcome intermarried families. Despite unanimous adoption in 1982, *Keruv* initiatives have largely fallen short of their goals, hampered by insufficient resources, inconsistent implementation, and institutional ambivalence. Current data indicates that among intermarrying couples, 30% include a converting spouse, while another 20% maintain Jewish identity without formal conversion. These patterns, combined with growing competition from more inclusive Reform and Reconstructionist movements, suggest that Conservative Judaism must elevate *Keruv* from policy to priority. The research advocates for comprehensive outreach programs encompassing formal synagogue policies, dedicated committees, host family initiatives, and modified premarital counseling approaches. By combining documentary analysis with practical congregational insights, this investigation provides actionable solutions for Conservative communities struggling to balance traditional principles with contemporary demographic realities.

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    Published 1990

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  • Publication Credits

    Elliot Schoenberg