Beware the Almighty Demographer

There is a handy quote from Shakespeare: The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. So too can demographers "run the numbers" to find what they are looking for. As on-the-ground Outreach workers our perspective tends towards the effective and useful over the flashy and fundable.

The Talmud says, Get yourself a friend. Each Jewish outreach professional must find one or more demographers whom they trust. Yes, it is essential to read the studies. But it is also important to do so with a healthy scepticism. Find a demographer partner with whom you can explore the facts you find beneath the surface. Ask about methodology. Compare study results. Find out the number of individuals in the total study. Develop your ability to evaluate demographic work. Trust your personal experience and knowledge but be ready to question your own assumptions.