I always say that Jews are privileged. Well, the Pew Forum’s study of the American religious landscape shows that my people are richer, older, and more educated than other Americans by a significant factor.
Consider income. According to Pew, 46 percent of Jews say their family income is over $100,000 a year. Nationally the number is 19 percent. If you turn to mainline Protestant families–the gentiles I usually compare Jews to as privileged–the percentage is just 21 percent, less than half the Jewish percentage. No one else is even close. Except for Hindus, with 43 percent of their
families making over $100,000; and I have to think that number is
skewed by Asian professional immigration–and by the fact that Hindus
are a splinter group, less than half of a percent of the population.
Jews are 1.7 percent of the population.
And if you break down Pew’s Jewish numbers, you find that 55 percent of Reform Jews make over $100,000 a year–three times the national figure of 19 percent.
Other revelations are that 51 percent of Jews are 50 and older. The national average is 41 percent. Though mainline Protestants are also older in the same proportion: 51 percent. I wonder whether this is a sign of better health care and longevity. Though it could be a sign of the erosion in Jewish numbers from intermarriage.
Now education. The national average for college or postgraduate education is 27 percent. Among Jews it is 59 percent. Among Hindus, that number is a whopping 74 percent. And as for mainline Protestants, 34 percent.
What’s the bottom line? My people are an American elite. We are principals in American society. Celebrate it, and accept the social responsibility that status entails.
Recycled post but very apt here:
Which is funny when reading this:
link to adl.org
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"In more recent years, the anti-Semitic notion that "the Jews" dominate and command the U.S. Federal Reserve System and in effect control the world’s money has surfaced across the extremist spectrum. Contemporary economic anxieties and distrust of government have given new life to this timeworn myth.
(…)
The charge that "Jews control the Federal Reserve" is a classic example of the hatemonger's paranoid-style exploitation of legitimate concerns in this case, the nation's economy. Moreover, the wide appeal of this anti-Semitic conspiracy theory among all kinds of extremists strikingly demonstrates how the agendas of otherwise opposing hate groups meet on common ground: the scapegoating of Jews."
…considering all 5 of the Fed Reserve System ARE Jewish…
I checked – there is no doubt – all 5 of Fed Reserve Board main members are Jewish.
Make of that what you will.
"I wonder whether this [older average age] is a sign of better health care and longevity. Though it could be a sign of the erosion in Jewish numbers from intermarriage."
I think it just reflects the smaller number of children that is normally associated with higher income levels.
"Other revelations are that 51 percent of Jews are 50 and older." Obviously that's not a normal demographic distribution.
The question is whether the survey counted practicing or professed members of religions, as opposed to those who were merely born into a given religion and identify a nominal affiliation with it. (I couldn't reach the Pew website to find out, as it's experiencing unusually heavy traffic.)
If it's active members that were counted, the graying demographics of Judaism and mainline Protestantism reflect falling participation in organized religion among younger people, rather than the bugbear of intermarriage. The general dropoff in face-to-face community activities among younger cohorts is exhaustively detailed in Robert Putnam's book, "Bowling Alone."
Of course, in an increasingly obese America, maybe some Jews just can't handle walking to synagogue — an issue that doesn't concern Protestants or Hindus.
"Of course, in an increasingly obese America, maybe some Jews just can't handle walking to synagogue — an issue that doesn't concern Protestants or Hindus."
I assure you, this phenomenon concerns ALL Americans across the board, of all ethnic groups and religious beliefs…
You came across as borderline racist in that post.. but who am I to talk…
Richer, better educated…and they make the best penis-growing elixir on the market.
Go Jews!!!
I agree with the thesis that those that have the ability to effect others, have the responsibility to do so kindly, helpfully, respectfully.
Power is the wrong territory, the wrong word though.
Power is often constructed as a zero-sum game. If a group is seeking power, either you have it or someone else does.
Ability, education, "empowerment", need not be a zero-sum, and that is the form that responsibility takes.
Yes, I agree Richard; I think Jesus said that in his own way. Look what happened to him.
Well, I'm a neurosurgeon that makes $480,000 a year. I went to the University of Chicago for my graduate degree, and John Hopkins for my pre-med. I was born Christian and still am. Throughout my journey in life meeting varying people in many elite institutions of education. I found that religion was varying. Hell, I even spend some time visiting Harvard-there wasnt a bigger jewish population. Simply put people are rich and intelligent with religion remaining as an irrelevant factor. It would be like saying brunettes are richest because Bill Gates is a brunette. It's irrelevant, intellects dont segregate themselves with talks about "my people" and constantly trying to out beat society based upon religion. Theres more to sociology, the rankings of people, and the philosophy of life than religion. Seriously, look at the facts.