Intermarriage ‘Cure’

This Jewish reader wishes to voice a reaction. The continuation of traditional Jewish life is a legitimate concern, but the people in your article sound self-righteous and condescending. They speak of “painful reality . . . heartbreak and separation . . . dangers of intermarriage.” They even call their program “Outreach,” a word that connotes, “help those poor little lost waifs out there.” They even offer a “kind of psychotherapy or sociotherapy” to those who have married non-Jews. Ick.

Your readers should know that we are not all this self-centered and narrow-minded. I have given my son a Jewish education more extensive than most Jewish children receive. I treasure my heritage and intend to cry tears of pride and joy at his upcoming bar mitzvah. But if he decides to marry a non-Jewish woman, I will not feel “lost and betrayed.” My son must make his own choices in life. I cannot do that for him. Neither can Rabbi Maurice Lamm and friends.

ANN BOURMAN

Los Angeles