I grew up non-observant, in a neighborhood that was probably the same. I always claim half of my public school, or at least my classes were Jewish, and all of my teachers were. We learned a lot of black history, and no Jewish history, just like any other regular Public schools.
I think the reason for intermarriage is twofold. One is, neighborhoods are no longer ethic based. I can go for years without ever seeing another Jewish person personally. Second, in typical American spheres everything is about “diversity”, without going further on this fetish.
I assume that my growing up, and my fathers growing up, was a lot like Europe. You didn’t have to be “orthodox” or hassidic, or religious. Everyone around you was Jewish. It would be natural that you marry Jewish. In 8th grade, everyone I sat near was Jewish, with maybe…MAYBE one exception.
It would have taken a lot of work, if one lived in such a situation, not to marry Jewish just naturally. Conversely, if I am the only one, or maybe the only 5 Jews out of 100’s of people, of course it’s going to go the other way. For example, my friend, of a Jewish mother and baptist father, was just re-baptized within the last few days I found out. I think his knowledge of Judaism was probably what mine was a few years ago. Nil. Religion and Jewish jokes on the television do not appear to give an accurate description of Judaism at all. So no wonder he doesn’t tip the other way. Plus, I might be the only Jewish person he knows in the area. Therefore, no exposure. Frankly, if I were younger, there would probably be no hope for me here. And I like this southern city.
I think the downfall occurred during mass integration and the downfall of the old ethnic neighborhoods like they used to have in the northeast. If you want the non-observant to meet and fall in love, they have to meet each other or even be around. It’ll probably have to be a watered down version of what you’re talking about. Summer camps, after school or weekend activities similar to what the churches did in the 1800’s or like what the Jews in Mississippi did many years ago since the community was spread out. They had chaperones too, so I wouldn’t call them that immodest. I don’t think anyone is really going to spend that much money, especially on private schools, unless the local public school is completely bombed out.