By Jacob Sivak
It is predicted that by the year 2048, the 100th anniversary of the State of Israel, two thirds of the world’s Jewish population, about 12 million, will live in Israel.
Meirav Arlosoroff points out that the natural growth of the Jewish population of Israel is two percent per year, or four times greater than the average in other developed countries.
For the first 50 years of its existence, Israel’s Jewish population growth was dependent on immigration (aliyah). Now, however, natural growth is the biggest factor.
Another example occurred during the 19th century, when the Ashkenazi population of Central and Eastern Europe soared, due to high fertility numbers and improved living conditions. By the 1880s there were close to eight million Jews in the world, and 80 to 90 percent of them lived in Eastern Europe, primarily Russia.
In a 2018 article in Mosaic magazine, Ofir Haivry attributed the increase in fertility in Israel to an emphasis on family welfare and continuity, writing that Israeli society has balanced rising levels of affluence and education with continued adherence to a family-oriented culture. Israeli medical advances in areas such as prenatal care and fertility treatments have also contributed to the increased birth rate.
What does this shift in balance between the Diaspora and Israel signify for those of us who live outside of Israel? Broadly speaking, the long sweep of Jewish history can be described as a series of migrations from one center of Jewish life to another. Besides the Land of Israel, such centers have included (in rough historical sequence); Babylonia, North Africa, Iberia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, and now, back to the Land of Israel. This does not mean that a Jewish diaspora will cease to exist, but in numbers and in relevance to Jewish continuity, it will be much diminished. The challenge for Israelis will be to find a way to accommodate a larger population in a small and densely populated state.
(c) The Algemeiner Journal
The very need is more erudite in America. This is half-way a good place for Jews.
Erudite? No. Eruvim. Spell check got me.
Why 2048? I get the feeling the writer of this article doesn’t believe there’ll be a change when Moshiach comes or doesn’t believe Moshiach will be here any moment.
Mashiach will surely be here long before then, if not tomorrow (or 9 Av).
Yovel supposed to come in once Jews in Israel are the world’s majority.
That’s something that should reorder many aspects of our lives
This should be discussed more
The first in 25 centuries
and then yovel returns!
along with eved ivri, botei orei choimo, no more pruzbul, etc.