Following Jewish history class yesterday, where the issue of intermarriage and continuing the Jewish line arose, a fear settled over me that had to do with the end of the Jewish people. They are a line that had endured for so long and through so much that it just seemed inconceivable that now, in the midst of their prosperity, they would simply cease to exist. The facts were sobering as well. A mere 20% of children with intermarried parents will go on to start a Jewish life. Additionally, while the average reform Jewish family has 0-2 children, the average orthodox Jewish family has around 10. Soon, all that will be left are orthodox Jews, and after that, none at all. Though it won't happen in my lifetime or my children's or even grandchildren's, it is ironic to think on the fact that now, when Am Yisrael is not enduring a time of torment, a time of persecution or war against the Jews, a time of peace and comfort where Jews are leaders in society, the Jewish population is slowly becoming less diverse and plentiful. It does not scare me—"Oh no, what is the world going to do without Jews!" (No.)— it just shocks me that the oldest and longest surviving religion is nearing its final destination, and that my generation sees the end. I am scared that after we are gone, after there are no more Jews to carry on traditions and keep our ethical monotheism alive, the world will portray us in a bad light, spit on our names, stamp us into the dust. Why do I care? I guess the best answer would be "the future holds tentative surprises and apprehension—no one knows what it will look like", but that would still not fully explain this strange and irrational fear I have for the nearing of the end. Time always holds the answer, so time will tell.