Why do so many Jews break Shabbat in the US, do not attend synagogue or send their kids to Jewish Schools?

Question

I can't seem to understand this fact. I am from the former Soviet Union and have dreamed of knowing more about my faith. All of my life I was called a kike and was beaten up on numerous occasions for being a Jew. Once I was even spat upon. I did not even know what being a Jew meant. It was forbidden to teach Judaism under the Soviet regime.
When I came to the US my parents cried when they enrolled me to a Jewish Day school. However, out of 300 or so kids that were Jewish and my age only 100 or so attended grages k-8.
I don't understand this. In America no one has beaten me up for being a Jew; I wear a kippa and am one of few in my community to do so. I feel safe.
Why then the Jews do not support their Jewish school systems do not attend synagogues, and intermarry? Are you afraid to be Jewish? Or are you disgusted about being Jewish?
I just think it is sad that we do not know what we have until we lose it. Please serious comments only no BS. I just need help to understand.

Answer 1

my friend I wish I knew myself.

my parents like yourself were Russian refuseniks. They went though exactly what you have and as a result they left.

I think that was a big reason for me to become more observant. If my parents could endure so much and still be proud of there heritage what excuse do I have to be oblivious to it?

what is the point of being Jew in name only?

As for support of our education systems and institutions I target the very wealthy of our community. For someone to give 50 Million to a humanitarian cause and then give a $200,000 check to there local federation I find disgraceful.

while humanitarian causes are good are you embarrassed to give generously to your own people?

Answer 2

Conservative, Reform, Liberal and non aligned Jews are dying out slowly because of intermarriage and low birth rate. Perhaps they over time have moved away from true Judaism. Modern Orthodox and the Charedim are growing. Probably in 100 years the Strictly Orthodox, large already in Brooklyn, Jerusalem, Antwerp and London's Stamford Hill will be the largest Jewish grouping in the world. True adherance to Judaism is not over!

Answer 3

Lots of us did go to Hebrew School etc.

I am Conservative. I went to Hebrew school 4 days a week and went to a Hebrew High School program on Sundays during high school. I was very active in my youth group (BBYO), am active in Hillel in college, and am an advisor for BBYO.

Perhaps your area is having difficulty with assimilation. Intermarriage is a large concern and the Orthodoxy's refusal to acknowledge female leaders or converts often pushes people to less observant levels.

Gd willing, you will find a part of the US where there is an active Jewish community that is accepting of all types of Jews.

Answer 4

Those with a strong Jewish background and education send their children to yeshivot and day schools. The weak ones feel less of a tie to Judaism and to the Jewish people.

As time goes on,those with a weaker connection will grow even weaker, have fewer children and assimilate. The committed Orthodox will remain.

Answer 5

i know what you mean. the ironic part is that after almost 2000 years of other people people trying to destroy us, the people that seem the most likely to succeed at it in the end is our own selves. i don't care how much it costs, when i have kids they are going to a jewish school and they are going to know the importance of keeping the traditions going.

Answer 6

Bec. there are a lot of African-American Jews in the US.