A new study by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR) obtained by the “Jerusalem Post” reveals data on mixed marriages of Jews, mainly in Europe. According to the study, published this week by the Rabbinical Center of Europe (RCE) of the world’s largest Jewish communities, the highest rate of Jewish intermarriage is in Russia, followed by Hungary, Germany and the United States.
The study, titled “Mixed Marriages of Jews and Non-Jews: The Situation, Trends and Significance”, was conducted by Dr. Daniel Statsky of the JPR in London. There are not many studies conducted on the subject, and therefore this is an important and innovative study. Intermarriage varies greatly depending on the country.The study found that among the largest Jewish communities in the world, Israel has the lowest rate of intermarriage among Jews: only 5% of Israeli Jews marry non-Jews.
Another result emerged from the data: in Belgium there is 14% intermarriage in the Jewish community, in Australia 20%, in Great Britain – 22%, in Canada – 23%, in France – 24%, in Austria – 30%, in the USA – 45%, in Germany – 46%, in Hungary – 55% and in Russia – 63%.
In addition, the JPR presented the levels of intermarriage according to the various religious currents in Europe (12 European countries). In Europe, the rate of intermarriage of “mere Jews” and “secular” is 48%, of Jews of the reform and progressive movement – 35%, and of traditional and conservative Jews – 11%. Among Orthodox Jews in Europe, only 3% marry non-Jews.
RCE CEO Rabbi Aryeh Goldberg added that “the conference is a real wake-up call for all European rabbis and Jewish communities to strengthen the activity for assimilating the diverse values of Judaism among the youth, as well as among the entire Jewish population.”