Reply To: Reformed Are Jews?

Akuperma-“Furthermore, due to the American custom of women adopting the husband’s surname, it means that the people with “Jewish” names are the least likely to be Jewish. ”
-I get what your saying by not to assume someone with a (very) Jewish name to automatically be jewish but why would they be the least likely to be jewish? Many Jews also have Jewish last names.
I guess your speaking of women in particular since most likely a jewish non orthodox woman would marry a non jew resulting in a non jewish last name, while it isnt likely that she would marry a Jew therefore the woman who did marry a Jew and isnt Jewish, inherited the Jewish last name. But that system isnt fool proof and might only work for one generation since who knows if some of the children might marry Jewish.

“Among Eastern European Jews, the movement towards assimilation began only in the late 19th century, so it is easier to trace. ”
-Are you saying there was no chance of any assimilation before that time?

” Asking what to do about assimilation today makes no more sense that asking what to do about the holocaust — it’s done, it’s over, its history, and we need to live with the consequences.”
-Not exactly since this is a different generation and this isnt exactly something that is “over with” it is something that is “ongoing”. The source of it is historic yes, but the result is playing out in the present times in which we live in and it must be stopped since it is the biggest threat to the Jewish people. The problem is there might not be a natural way of stopping this problem.

But again the question is does Areivim apply in this case in regards to all the “Yidden” on the totally wrong path? Other than the chilul Hashem and confusion they cause are we responsible or held accountable for their actions since they are Yidden as well? When you look at the Eirev rav that left Mitzrayim with Bnei Yisrael, most of the problems that we suffered were a result of their actions. Is this the same case?