The Conversion

I believe in Roth's "The conversion of the Jews," his Jewish characters are  not so much portrayed negatively as they are religious. They are strict in their faith and beliefs in the story. While you can say that they seem irrational for the Rabbi and the mother stricking the child for asking questions, that seems to be more of a negative aspect for the adults in the story. The children appear fine. I saw the negative character attributes in the adults and I didn't necessarily see it as being anti-semetic.