Some of these Jews chose the Midwest as the place to graze their livestock. Most came to stay with landsmen until they could get on their feet, or were sent here by more established Eastern Jews, or blazed trails through the region while schlepping packs filled with buttons and thread. True, there s a flip side to this story. Young Jews are leaving smaller heartland communities and the region itself. The population is aging.
Intermarriage is up.
Fund raising is down in many communities. All in all, though, Midwestern Jews have taught their children Jewish knowledge and values no better or worse than other American Jews. We ve given our share of charity. We ve built top-flight institutions. We ve been leaders of significant movements and causes of American Judaism.