Digital Library
Israel Experiences and Connections in MetroWest NJ
Topic:
Israel Literacy
Principal Investigators:
Matthew A. Brookner, Janet Krasner Aronson, Leonard Saxe
Study Date:
2020
Source:
Jewish Federation of MetroWest NJ,Berman Jewish DataBank
Key Findings:
The 2020 Greater MetroWest Jewish Community Study, conducted by the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies (CMJS) at Brandeis University, presents a comprehensive portrait of the characteristics, attitudes, and behaviors of the Jewish community in Greater MetroWest, New Jersey. The principal goal of this study was to highlight data and findings that will be useful for community planning for the Greater MetroWest Jewish community by the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, by other Jewish community organizations, and by funders and foundations.
The present study provides a portrait of the Greater MetroWest Jewish community as it was in the fall of 2020, six months into the COVID-19 pandemic. This report focuses on the community’s connection to Israel.
34% of Jewish adults feel very connected to Israel. Most Jewish adults feel some level of connection to Israel, while 11% of Jewish adults feel no connection to Israel
Among the Jewish adults in the Personal engagement group, half feel very connected to Israel. Although those in the Personal group do not engage in many aspects of Jewish life to the degree that those in the Involved and Immersed groups do, it is clear that Israel is a particular area of interest.
A majority of Jewish adults have been to Israel at least once and 22% have been to Israel at least four times or have lived there. 37% of Jewish adults have never been to Israel.
A larger share of younger Jewish adults in GMW have been to Israel than older adults. About 40% of Jewish adults under age 50 have been to Israel multiple times or have lived there.
Travel to Israel and feeling of connection to Israel are correlated. 58% percent of Jewish adults who have been to Israel multiple times feel very connected to Israel, compared to 17% of Jewish adults who have never been to Israel.
41% of Jewish adults ages 40 and under have been on a Birthright Israel trip. In addition, 30% of Jewish households include a Birthright Israel participant or a parent of a participant.
One-in-five Jewish adults (22%) consider Israel to be one of the top three causes they care about most.
Methodology:
Although some survey responses were likely influenced by the special circumstances of the pandemic, the questions were designed to provide a demographic and attitudinal portrait of the stable characteristics of the community.
The Jewish population estimate for MetroWest in 2020 is 122,300 Jewish persons living in 56,800 Jewish households.
A total of 3,295 eligible households completed surveys between October 1 and December 11, 2020. The response rate for the primary sample, which was designed to be representative of the entire community, was 33.4% (AAPOR RR42). Survey data were weighted and comparisons across subgroups are at the 95% confidence level.