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Jews don't drink. So goes an old comforting myth.
And a myth is exactly what this notion is -- because Jews are now drinking in increasing numbers so much so that the incidence of alcoholism among Jews is fast approaching that of the general population.
To combat this trend a four point program was outlined at press conference this week by the Task Force on Alcoholism of the Commission on Synagogue Relations of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies.
The proposed solutions include appeals to more than 1,000 New York synagogues to open their doors to meetings of groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous so that Jews troubled by alcoholism can seek assistance in their own community as well as instituting series of seminars about alcoholism for rabbi and for social workers.
"For too long excessive drinking among Jews has been an issue that was discussed in whispers, charged Marshall Hochhauser, Task Force chairman "However, the fact that alcoholism in the Jewish Community is rapidly approaching that of the general population demands an all out...