Reaction to the "Future of Judaism"

Submitted by Rabbi Howard Finkelstein (Canada), Jan 27, 2005 at 23:02

Dear Dr.Pipes,

Your article, while accurately depicting the waning influence of conservative and reform Judaism does not address the issue as to whether modern orthodoxy as opposed to charedi Judaism will wither as well in the coming years or experience a rejuvenation as its more observant partner which you discuss.

Secondly, the call of the leader of Agudath Israel for its constituents to become more involved in less parochial issues militates against the trend of its own rabbinic leaders to eschew the secular world and to discourage its young from entering universities. How can their constituents exercise any authority or influence on the 'outside' world, when they desire to distance itself from it?

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