"Intermarriage and Conversion: Headache, Heartache or Fact of Life"

Sun., April 2, 11 a.m., $15-$20 (includes continental breakfast), Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St., 215-446-3021, www.gershmany.com

Your Jewish mother begs you not to drive a stake into her heart by dating non-Jewish boys, and shucks, maybe she's onto something. Simple math spells out a worrisome future for the American Jewish population.

Each year, more Jews and Goys tie the knot (current statistics show about 50 percent of American Jews marrying outside the tribe), fewer non-Jewish spouses convert and only a small percentage of interfaith couples raise their young ones on Judaism.

Meaning: The American Jewish community will eventually either morph or diminish considerably. Why the straying of the people?

Rela Geffen, president of Baltimore Hebrew University, attributes it in part to a growing acceptance of intermarriage within the Reform and Conservative movements. she will examine different Jewish leaders' approaches at Gershman Y's Sunday brunch.

Bring your mom with caution.