American Jewish Demographics

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SPRING 2003/IYAR 5763 VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 THE JOURNAL OF JEWISH LIFE NETWORK /

American Jewish Demographics: Decline and Response contact SPRING 2003/IYAR 5763 VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 American Jewish Demographics: JEWISH LIFE NETWORK / Decline and Response Eli Valley Editor any experts have argued recently that Jewish population statistics reveal a community in the midst of stagnation or decline. Although studies vary Erica Coleman depending on methodology and definitions of Jewishness, the soon-to-be Copy Editor M released National Jewish Population Survey lends support to the view that Janet Mann our population has been shrinking since 1990. This would be the first population Administration decline in American Jewish history. If we are to equate demographic strength with Yakov Wisniewski spiritual and cultural vibrancy, the American Jewish community is facing daunting Design Director challenges to its oft-stated goals of renaissance. There are those who affirm that the Jewish community is becoming “leaner and JEWISH LIFE NETWORK meaner” – smaller in number but more vigorous in intensity, as is indicated by the STEINHARDT FOUNDATION increasing numbers of day schools and Jewish studies programs on campus. However, Michael H. Steinhardt by other criteria – for instance, the levels of Jewish philanthropic giving – Jews no Chairman longer seem to perceive their identity through a chiefly Jewish lens. In this issue of

Rabbi Irving Greenberg CONTACT, we examine the question of decline as well as the myriad ways of assessing President the nature and vitality of the Jewish community. We also begin to explore programs that might increase not only our numbers, but the strength and intensity of American Rabbi David Gedzelman Executive Director Jewish life. Some would argue that the decline in the American Jewish population indicates The Changing Jewish Population: Jonathan J. Greenberg z”l Founding Director the failure of programs created in the last ten years to shore up Jewish identity. Others assert that Jews, having entered the American mainstream, have adjusted their and CONTACT is produced and Identity Structure birthrates to levels typical of other middle- to upper-class communities. Gone are the distributed by Jewish Life Network/ by VIVIAN KLAFF Steinhardt Foundation, 6 East 39th days when women were expected to stay home and raise many children. Indeed, Street, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016. among an increasing number of young, non-Orthodox Jews, fertility rates are not Initial results suggest n 1990, the National Jewish Population tion, the 2000 NJPS revealed that Jewish Phone: (212) 279-2288 seen as any kind of barometer of one’s Jewish commitment or identity. As we strive Survey revealed, among other things, women approaching the end of their Fax: (212) 279-1155 for ways to revitalize American Jewry, we should keep in mind that for much of the both a decline in the size that American Jews were intermarrying childbearing years currently have an aver- Email: [email protected] community, the content of our religion and culture is more important than the quan- Iat a rate that was possibly as high as 52 age of 1.8 children, not enough to ensure percent. Galvanized by the survey, Ameri- growth. While no data are yet available Copyright © 2003 by Jewish Life Network. tity of our population. of the core component of can Jewish organizations initiated a series for intermarriage, the trend is unlikely to Finally, there is the crucial issue of economics. Contemporary families are increas- the population and a of outreach programs that revolved decline sufficiently to reduce concerns ingly led by two working parents who find it logistically and financially difficult to around the catch words “continuity” and about this important factor in declining “renaissance.” Today, with the publication Jewish populations. raise several children. As a result of this and other socio-cultural factors, couples greater diversity of of the new NJPS, we have an invaluable The Jewish community will no throughout the developed world are having fewer children. The World Health Organi- new tool to measure the level of Jewish doubt be galvanized by the new NJPS to zation recently revealed that fertility rates throughout Western Europe were insuffi- identification with the identity and affiliation in America. find new ways to stem its demographic Jewish Life Network is dedicated to Initial results suggest both a decline in erosion. From a socio-demographic per- strengthening and transforming Ameri- cient to sustain population growth. Many Jewish couples would like to have large Jewish community. the size of the core component of the spective I have identified two key issues can Jewry to ensure a flourishing, sus- families, but the costs are simply prohibitive. Add to this the formidable costs of population and a greater diversity of iden- that will contribute to understanding the tainable community in a fully integrated intensive Jewish educational programs, and it is no wonder that even among Jew- tification with the Jewish community. The areas of concern for Jewish institutions free society. We seek to revitalize Jewish ishly-committed couples, many young parents are choosing to have small families. American Jewish population has shrunk and that will assist in the inevitable and identity through educational, religious somewhat from 5.5 million in 1990 even ongoing debate about strategies focused and cultural initiatives that are designed For this reason, if the community is serious about strengthening American Jewry in though, during the same period, tens of on Jewish identity and continuity. to reach out to all Jews, with an empha- numbers and in spirit, now is the time to create a universal system of free or low-cost thousands of Jews from the former Soviet sis on those who are on the margins of Jewish early childhood education. Union immigrated to the USA. In addi- Defining the Parameters Jewish life. of the Population Dr. Vivian Klaff is Professor in the Department of My father was born in a small village in Photographs in this issue appear courtesy of Art Sociology and Director of the Center for Jewish Stud- Lithuania. At one seder I asked, “how Today.com, Photos.com, and Ilene Vogelstein. Eli Valley ies at the University of Delaware. many did you have around the seder 2 CONTACT SPRING 2003 3 or more, compared to 21 percent in Tuc- TABLE 1. CURRENT SYNAGOGUE MEMBERSHIP Base: Jewish Households son. Thirty-two percent of households in Bergen County always or usually light Worcester 1986 60% Monmouth 1997 48% Atlanta 1996 37% Tidewater 2001 58% Milwaukee 1996 48% Miami 1994 37% Sabbath candles, compared to 17 percent Essex-Morris 1998 56% Toronto 1990 48% Martin-St. Lucie 1999 36% in Tucson. Seventeen percent of married St. Louis 1995 56% Boston 1995 47% South Palm Beach 1995 36% couples in Bergen County are intermar- Rochester 1999 54% Westport 2000 46% Los Angeles 1997 34% ried, compared to 46 percent in Tucson. Hartford 2000 53% Wilmington 1995 46% Buffalo 1995 34% Seventy-one percent of households in Baltimore 1999 52% Sarasota 2001 45% Las Vegas 1995 34% Bergen County donated to Jewish chari- Cleveland 1996 52% York 1999 45% Orlando 1993 34% ties in the past year, compared to 56 per- Detroit 1989 52% Richmond 1994 45% SF Bay Area 1986 33% cent in Tucson. Clearly, issues of Jewish Dallas 1988 52% Chicago 1990 44% Phoenix 1983 33% continuity are more critical in Tucson Atlantic County 1985 52% Rhode Island 2002 43% Tucson 2002 32% than they are in Bergen County. Houston 1986 51% St. Petersburg 1994 40% Phoenix 2002 29% While we do not have the space here Bergen 2001 50% New York 1991 39% Broward 1997 27% Columbus 2001 50% Washington, D.C. 1983 39% South Broward 1990 27% to examine demographic differences Palm Springs 1998 49% West Palm Beach 1999 37% Seattle 2000 21% among communities, suffice it to say that Charlotte 1997 49% Denver 1997 37% significant differences exist among com- Harrisburg 1994 49% Philadelphia 1997 37% munities in such factors as age, household structure, household income and length of residence in the local community. TABLE 2. COUPLES INTERMARRIAGE RATE BY AGE OF HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD Base: Married Couples Under Age 35 in Jewish Households So, what does this mean? First, these results indicate that some communities Tidewater 2001 93% Palm Springs 1998 53% Milwaukee 1996 36% need more emphasis on Jewish identity- York 1999 74% Martin-St. Lucie 1999 52% Rochester 1999 36% Las Vegas 1995 72% Atlanta 1996 51% Monmouth 1997 32% enrichment programs than others. In Richmond 1994 63% Harrisburg 1994 51% Philadelphia 1997 30% some places, Jewish Federations and West Palm Beach 1999 61% Westport 2000 50% South Broward 1990 29% other organizations need to face the Denver 1997 60% St. Petersburg 1994 47% South Palm Beach 1995 29% issue of reducing funding for social serv- Orlando 1993 58% Tucson 2002 44% Bergen 2001 25% ice needs in order to increase funding Broward 1997 57% Charlotte 1997 43% Miami 1994 18% for Jewish revitalization. A place like Sarasota 2001 56% Hartford 2000 43% Atlantic County 1985 15% Tucson needs to seriously address its Wilmington 1995 54% Rhode Island 2002 40% emphasis on Jewish continuity and may need to begin diverting money from tra- For a full list of communities and results from these studies presented in 124 tables, see Sheskin, Ira M. How Jewish ditional funding areas to meet its Jewish Communities Differ: Variations in the Findings of Local Jewish Demographic Studies (2001) (New York: City University of continuity needs. New York, North American Jewish Data Bank). Available from www.jewishdatabank.com. Second, these results mean that, in designing programming to renew Jewish intermarriage rates. In South Palm Donations to Jewish Charities in the commitment and strengthen identity, Beach, for example, 69 percent of the Past Year. The percentage of households one size does not fit all. Programming Jewish population is age 65 and over and who donated to Jewish charities in the must be designed with differences in the intermarriage rate in this age group is past year varies between 49 percent in demographics in mind. Programs that minimal. In Westport, where 31 percent Denver, CO, and 83 percent in Atlantic may be effective in one community may of the population is age 17 and under, County. Charitable donations to Jewish fail in another. In South Florida, increas- the intermarriage rate is 33 percent. But, Federations, synagogues and other Jew- ing synagogue membership means con- even looking at the youngest age cohort ish organizations are, along with volun- vincing elderly migrants (who have (couples under age 35), significant varia- teerism, the “fuel” that allows a Jewish strong Jewish identities) that synagogues tions exist in intermarriage. In places community to function. Thus, this meas- need to be a part of their life in their like Miami and Bergen County, NJ, ure not only reflects differing levels of new community. In Tucson, increasing which have institutional structures that “Jewishness” in different communities, synagogue membership means convinc- attract “serious” younger Jews and where but also affects the ability of communi- ing young couples that being Jewish is a reasonably high percentage of the pop- ties to serve their religious, cultural, edu- beneficial to their lives. ulation is Jewish (making it easier for cational and social service needs. Thus, while national studies provide young Jews to find and marry other As another example of the differ- significant guidance concerning Jewish young Jews), the intermarriage rate for ences in the extent to which Jewish con- identity issues and have resulted in couples under age 35 is 18 percent and tinuity is an issue, it is useful to contrast important programmatic developments, 25 percent, respectively. Similar rates are Bergen County, NJ and Tucson, AZ. Fifty most programs to increase Jewish 93 percent for Tidewater (Norfolk/Vir- percent of Jewish households in Bergen involvement will be undertaken by Jew- ginia Beach), and 74 percent for York, County are synagogue members, com- ish Federations, synagogues and other PA, where the institutional structures are pared to 32 percent in Tucson. Twenty- local Jewish organizations and must be not as strong and the percentages of Jews nine percent of adults in Bergen County designed with local community charac- in these communities are very low. attend synagogue services once a month teristics in mind.

6 CONTACT Jewish Giving Today: A Matter of Priorities and Proportions BY JACK WERTHEIMER

y all accounts, American Jews con- and a half million souls. It has been esti- It is hard to escape the tinue to be philanthropically mated, too, that in the 1990 presidential conclusion that money inclined. Although authoritative campaign, over 20 percent of money Bfigures on giving do not exist, the raised by the Gore-Lieberman campaign evidence of Jewish generosity is every- came from Jews, and millions more is hemorrhaging from where. The public record, in the form of swelled the coffers of Bush-Cheney — 990 tax filings, indicates a stunning all this from a population that consti- the Jewish community increase in recent years in the numbers tuted no more than 4 percent of voters of family foundations established by in the national election. and flowing to causes people with Jewish-sounding names and There is also ample evidence of con- with some record of giving to Jewish tinued giving to Jewish causes. In 2001, that do not benefit causes. On the mass level, survey the federations of Jewish philanthropy in research in 1990 found that approxi- the United States raised over $850 mil- Jewish life directly. mately two-thirds of all American Jews lion in their regular campaigns, while claim to have made a charitable contri- simultaneously adding over a billion dol- bution during the previous year. And lars to their endowment funds and col- then there is the intriguing item, in a lecting hundreds of millions of dollars in recent article on American political an emergency campaign for Israel. All the donations, that some 1.8 million Jews while, other Jewish institutions continue appear on lists of potential donors to to attract significant funding to support political campaigns, a staggering figure capital and operating expenditures for for a population numbering some five Jewish schools, synagogues, Jewish community centers, summer camps, social welfare agencies, cultural institutions and Dr. Jack Wertheimer is Provost and Professor of American Jewish History at the Jewish Theological arts programs, and defense organizations. Seminary. In addition, American Jewish largess eas-

SPRING 2003 7 Many Jews are cutting back And what are the trends among big between support for universal causes and givers? Simply put, big donors direct specifically Jewish ones. All are subsumed most of their largess to causes that are under the catch-phrase Tikkun Olam on their gifts to Jewish causes not directly connected to the health and (improving the world), and therefore all vitality of Jewish life. In a 2000 study I must be Jewish causes, no matter how dis- because they believe that all undertook in cooperation with the nas- tant they are from making a direct impact cent United Jewish Communities, we on the health and vitality of Jewish life. worthy causes fulfill the looked at the 990 tax filings of 232 family What is to be done? It is hard to be foundations that had sufficient means sanguine about reversing these deeply obligation of Jewish giving. and interest to donate minimally entrenched habits of thinking, but if we $200,000 in 1998 to a Jewish cause, are to convince more Jews to give to thereby eliminating from consideration Jewish causes, we must embark on an the many foundations that gave less or educational program that includes the ily accounts for a billion dollars a year nothing to Jewish institutions. Collec- following messages: that flows to Jewish institutions abroad, tively, these foundations gave nearly two- Jewish philanthropy today is not only especially in Israel. In the mid-1990s, thirds of their allocations to non-sectarian about giving to the needy, but about some 4.2 to 4.4 billion dollars were raised causes. In dollar terms, these foundations 1 supporting a vital Jewish community annually by the American Jewish com- allocated $773 million in grants, of which that can enrich the lives of all Jews, the munity, a figure that has grown apace in Jewish causes received $274 million. It is poor and the rich, the Jewishly well-edu- the past few years. hard to escape the conclusion that money cated and the Jewishly ignorant. Jewish Although these and other data sug- is hemorrhaging from the Jewish commu- philanthropy today is about us living gest the continuing “miracle of Jewish nity and flowing to causes that do not here in America, not some far-off them giving” (as Fortune magazine once put it), benefit Jewish life directly. living in distant lands. a number of worrisome trends have The reasons for this trend are complex. emerged in recent years. One is the pre- Some of it has to do with the decline of Judaism is not only about being cipitous drop in the sheer number of gifts discrimination against Jews in elite circles: 2 good, but about doing the right thing to Jewish causes. The donor base of the High status institutions, such as museums, from the perspective of Jewish values federations has plummeted in the past symphony orchestras, universities and and teachings. Not every cause that three decades by almost one third, result- hospitals that had once kept Jews off their means well is a Jewish cause. Jewish ing in a net loss of some 300,000 gifts. boards or had severely limited their num- teachings have a particular understand- (Many organizations, including federa- bers, began to court Jewish philanthro- ing of what is good — and quite a few tions of Jewish philanthropy, claim the pists. In addition, much of the shift causes that seem worthy are antithetical decline in numbers of gifts reflects a concerns a change in the psychology of to Jewish teachings. deliberate decision not to invest in raising Jewish giving: many Jews simply do not If we truly believe that Jewish values money from small givers, since too little identify with the Jewish community, a inform our giving, why would we not is raised to warrant such an investment.) process fueled by spiraling rates of inter- 3 support those educational institutions Overall, only 51 percent of Jews surveyed marriage and by a drift away from Jewish that will shape the next generation of in 1990 claimed they had given to any neighborhoods, friends, ritual observance Jewish givers? If we feel that Judaism is Jewish cause during the previous year. and identification with both Israel and the the wellspring that nurtures Jewish giv- Moreover, the size of gifts to Jewish Jewish people on the part of successor ing, we are obligated to maintain that causes is quite low. The National Jewish generations that manage the fortunes of fountainhead so that there will be Jewish Population Survey of 1990 found that what were once Jewish family foundations. funders in the future. only 11 percent of Jews donated $1000 And then there is the growing conviction or more to Jewish causes annually. A among many well-to-do donors that needs There is nothing wrong with Jews more recent survey conducted in 2001 in in the Jewish community pale in compari- 4 contributing to the improvement of the Connecticut Jewish communities of son with other worthy causes: it is one the world. Indeed, it is perfectly under- Westport, Weston, Wilton and Norwalk thing to aid Jews victimized by anti-Semi- standable why Jews should seek to play dramatizes the nature of the problem: the tism or impoverished by misfortune; it is such a role. But it is irresponsible when median income of Jewish households in another to support institutions — day these same Jews short-change Jewish these cities came to $132,000—perhaps schools, summer camps, synagogues, edu- institutions. higher than in any other Jewish commu- cational and cultural centers — that bene- The challenge to Jewish giving today nity. Whereas 87 percent claimed to have fit the middle class individuals who form comes down to a matter of balance. When made a charitable donation that year, the preponderant majority of the Ameri- at least two thirds of Jewish philanthropy only 37 percent gave to the federation — can Jewish community. flows to causes outside of the community and only 3 percent contributed $1000 or Finally, many Jews are cutting back on — and when important institutions are more. The consequence of such giving their gifts to Jewish causes because they starved for funds — the proportions and patterns has been that Jewish institutions believe that all worthy causes fulfill the priorities are all wrong. We need to begin rely ever more on gifts from big givers to obligation of Jewish giving. Jewish teach- reeducating our donors so that they make up for the decline in the number ings have been so stripped of their specific behave as informed Jewish givers. and size of smaller gifts. content that many Jews see no difference

8 CONTACT On the Question of Crisis by MICHAEL H. STEINHARDT

he news should have set off a Code been for the immigration of hundreds of For the first time in Orange for Jewish organizations. In thousands of Jews from the former Soviet October 2002, preliminary data from Union, and, alas, tens of thousands of American Jewish history, T the 2000 National Jewish Population Israelis as well, the population drop would Survey revealed that, for the first time in have been even more precipitous. our population numbers American Jewish history, our population The communal decline is especially numbers had gone down over the course pronounced among the vast majority of had gone down over the of a decade. In 1990 we were 5.5 million, American Jews who are not Orthodox. and in 2000 we were 5.2 million. Some There exists a keen relationship between course of a decade scholars have disputed these numbers, religiosity and strong demographics among indicating that rather than falling, the pop- Jews. Simply put, Orthodox Jews have ulation has stagnated. Even if this is the much larger families than the rest of us. case, it does not explain away the fact that Although they are a minority, the Orthodox the Jewish community is not growing. All inflate the general population statistics for would agree that Jews in America (and American Jewry. When we remove the throughout the Diaspora) are demographi- Orthodox from the statistical equation, the cally endangered. In addition to the usual picture becomes that much bleaker for suspects of assimilation and intermarriage, those American Jews who are most at risk. the survey revealed that Jews in America In the wake of the study, one would are getting married later and having fewer have hoped to find a leadership galvanized children — so few that we are experienc- to change. The NJPS, after all, revealed ing negative population growth. Had it not palpable evidence of a crisis. But the community largely ignored the bad news, justi- Michael H. Steinhardt is Chairman of Jewish Life fying its complacency by disputing the Network/Steinhardt Foundation. study’s methodology. The community’s

SPRING 2003 9 total, they too are I would also propose a program by which insufficient to every young family receives a gift from the change the picture. community at the time of childbirth. The In this pluralis- gift could be a down payment, for instance, tic age, there exist on a future educational trip to Israel. many experiments The community’s narrowminded focus in Jewish life, but is evident in the area of philanthropy as very few if any well. Time and again, Jewish institutions have sustained return to the usual suspects for funding. long-lasting appeal. When it comes to cultivating non-tradi- In the area of out- tional philanthropic sources, the commu- reach and engage- nity’s efforts add up to a resounding ment of young failure. Although Jewish teaching stresses adults, Jewish Life the crucial importance of tzedakkah, each Network created a passing generation gives a greater propor- groundbreaking tion of its charity to non-sectarian causes. model in Makor. One cannot argue that we lack the funds, Opened in 1999, for the American Jewish community is the Makor achieved wealthiest in the history of our people. unprecedented suc- What we lack is the sense of priority. Jews cess in reaching are major donors to universities, muse- unaffiliated Jews in ums, orchestras and hospitals, but when it leadership focused instead on the bogey- Our community is shrinking, and it will continue to do so unless we man of European anti-Semitism — a sure- fire way to increase contributions, but an ineffective strategy to stem the demo- rethink our strategies of engagement and philanthropic leadership. graphic and cultural decay. One possible reason for its complacency their 20s and 30s. By integrating cultural, comes to the vitality of our own people, is that the Jewish organizational world has educational and social programming and we fall short. Today, only 20 percent of our stopped viewing the vast majority of Ameri- by targeting young adults, the center dis- giving goes to Jewish causes. In the middle can Jews as its constituency. One often tinguished itself from typical Jewish pro- of the 20th century, the figure stood at hears the rationale that we are soon to gramming. However, it is expensive, about 50 percent. Even those who give to become a smaller but more intensely Jewish sophisticated and risky. Thus far, no other Jewish causes give smaller amounts to community. That may be true, but the community in the country has shown the Jewish charity than to secular causes. The premise sugarcoats the central fact that we will — let alone the commitment and Chronicle of Philanthropy recently are declining. The least affiliated are invari- money — that would be necessary to repli- announced the largest individual philan- ably the first to disappear; given that there cate this model. thropic gifts of 2002. The gifts ranged are few replacements, the result, however In the area of day schools, too, we from $100 million to $375 million. Of the ameliorated, is decline. When our commu- must embrace a broader strategy of out- ten philanthropists, six were Jewish. Not a nal outreach, mostly Orthodox-sponsored, reach. Currently, the community targets single one gave anything meaningful to a “reaches out,” it mostly doesn’t connect families who are already involved in syna- Jewish cause. Meanwhile, without a major beyond the observant, near-Orthodox gogue and community life, without paying infusion of younger funders, the commu- minority. In the freest society in the world, heed to the hundreds of thousands of fam- nity of Jewish philanthropists has become why do Jewish institutions continue to be ilies who exist outside the community’s increasingly geriatric. Let it be clear: We insular? Our organizations consider their radar. The vast majority of day schools will not change the direction of the com- narrow mailing lists and donor pools as the remain acutely religious in orientation, munity unless there is a meaningful rise in only turf worth fighting for. They do noth- whereas the vast majority of American funding directed at the Jewish world. ing to project an image of contemporary Jews are decidedly secular. Why are we not The 2000 NJPS revealed that the Jew- Jewish life to those who are unaffiliated or building a network of secular day schools ish people are at a critical juncture. Our unengaged. The Mormon Church spends to reach out to this untapped con- community is shrinking, and it will con- millions of dollars on savvy, polished televi- stituency? The community is projecting tinue to do so unless we rethink our sion ads for the New York media market. the message that only those Jews who are strategies of engagement and philanthropic The Jewish community, by contrast, does actively involved are worth educating. leadership. It is time to implement a vision not present itself to the more than 90 per- In order to draw in the untapped con- of American Jewish renaissance that cent of American Jews who do not read stituency, we must spread our net wide, and engages the majority of secular, unaffili- Jewish publications and are largely cut off we must start as early in the life cycle as ated American Jews who are currently from what’s going on Jewishly. Non-Ortho- possible. The Jewish organizational world ignored by Jewish institutions. There is no dox synagogue affiliation rates probably can create meaningful connections for the time to waste. Based on our actions today, reflect no more than a quarter of non- families of 75,000 Jewish infants born in future population studies will reveal a Orthodox Jewry, and although many indi- North America each year with a compre- community in continuing disarray — or in vidual synagogues are “points of light,” in hensive system of quality preschool centers. the midst of renaissance.

10 CONTACT To thrive,American Jewry must create an infrastructure – at Jewish Life Network/Steinhardt Foundation, we call it the infrastructure of freedom – that can nurture American Jewish souls and win the commitment of the next generation. Philanthropists to Match My Mountains by RABBI YITZ GREENBERG

n the 1950’s, when I was studying to be an American historian, I read a book, Men to Match My Mountains, by Irving Stone. Stone’s thesis was that the American character was shaped decisively by I the fact that the United States was a nation with unprecedented opportunities and undeveloped land everywhere. The wide-open country crystallized a new personality type: the aggressive, searching high-achiever who would not allow himself to be held back by status- quo thinking or social stratification. When hemmed in by entrenched interest, or checked by the play-it-safe community, the American set- tler would move on in order to push forward. Over time, this nation attracted the adventurous immigrants and the restless pioneers who overcame the obstacles, climbed the mountains, cut the forests, fought the health and safety risks and created a dynamic, affluent and free society. Thus, America developed men to match its mountains. (Women also, but in the Fifties no one mentioned them.) The American Jewish community faces unprecedented freedom and economic opportunity that dwarfs all past history, and a unique cultural environment of total openness and an exposure to every religion and alternative lifestyle. In the past, Jewish identity and values were shel- tered by the fact that communities were isolated from one another, by the wall of anti-Semitism or discrimination, and by financial constraints which limited choices. The protective shelter operated, in somewhat different ways, for every community and religion. Today, all retaining walls are eroding under the challenge of choice, i.e., the access to every lifestyle, career and value system in the world. In their book One Nation Under God, Seymour P. Lachman and Barry Kosmin estimate that 25 to 30 percent of Americans switch their religious affiliation denomination- ally — an extraordinary ratio by any historical measure. Jews, as a minority, are doubly vulnerable to these trends. American Jews are dis- proportionably affluent, and this further increases their options. Ninety percent of Jewish youth enter higher education, which stimulates a desire for personal expression and intensifies alternative values. The result is an inexorable bleeding away of loyalty and identity. The same openness generates an environment for people to choose Jewishness as well as to bring Jewish identity and commitment into the highest realms of achievement (witness Joe Lieberman in American public life, Steven Spielberg in popular culture, Timberland’s Jeff Swartz in busi- ness). The critical question is: which choice will individual Jews make? Unfortunately, America’s wide open society has not yet crystallized a new Jewish personality, or even a reconfiguration of the community to meet the challenge. Alarmed by rising intermarriage and assimilation, as documented in the 1990 National Jewish Population Survey, American Jewry has taken important steps toward a renewal of Jewish

Rabbi Yitz Greenberg is President of Jewish Life Network/Steinhardt Foundation.

SPRING 2003 11 table, and how many were Jews?” He The Demographic Component attitudes that individuals manifest and These results mean that, in designing programming to renew Jewish replied indignantly, “they were all Jews. The first is in the demographic size of the exposure to environmental or orga- That’s all we had in our village — Jews.” the population, as determined by fertil- nizational conditions that tend to commitment and strengthen identity, one size does not fit all. Needless to say, they all attended a seder. ity (addition by births), mortality (sub- weaken or strengthen a person’s desire In our home this year, we expect to traction by deaths) and migration (the to remain connected to the group. The have about 25 people around the seder net result of immigrants minus emi- factor that has particularly disturbed the table. They will include those who were grants). The 2000 NJPS points to a birth community in recent years has been the born Jewish and who profess Judaism rate among Jewish women that is con- increasing rate of intermarriage. In 1990, as religion; those who were born Jewish, siderably below the rate required to the intermarriage rate was estimated but profess to have no religion; non- replace a population. For example, 52 somewhere between 45 percent and 52 Jewish spouses; non-Jewish parents of percent of Jewish women aged 30-34 percent, depending on assumptions Jewish Demographics an intermarried spouse; and children have no children, compared to 27 per- made about the definition of who is a being raised as Jews at various levels of cent of women in the general popula- Jew. Even if social action campaigns on the ritual and tradition. This is a small sam- tion, and on average Jewish women in have had some success, this rate is not Local Level pling of the possible identity permuta- the total childbearing age group are hav- likely to have been greatly reduced by tions. It is no longer my father’s Jewish ing less than 2 children each. It is the year 2000. Other variables contribut- by IRA M. SHESKIN population. unlikely that social policy will lead to an ing to potential dynamics of Jewish con- With this in mind, the first issue that increase in birth rates, but it is impor- nection are internal migration — faces organizational policy makers is tant to understand that the pattern and movement out of the Northeast to areas he 1990 and 2000 National for those concerned about the “who falls within the scope of our defi- level of fertility in a society such as the in the South and West; denominational Jewish Population Surveys future of American Jews. nition of the community.” It is clear that United States is dependent on an inter- switching; the changing role of the fam- have garnered significant atten- It becomes clear from an exami- ways of identifying who is a Jew vary active combination of factors. These ily, as secular institutions take over Ttion among those who provide nation of these local data that sig- widely, as is suggested in the following include contraceptive use, marital status, many of the socialization roles of the guidance concerning the condition nificant differences exist from analysis of the NJPS data: age at marriage, level of education and family; the developments in organized of the American Jewish community community to community in the • There are about 3.5 million adults women’s participation in the labor force Jewish education such as day schools nationally. The 1990 NJPS moved extent to which Jewish continuity who can be classified as Jewish by — each of which indicates a trend and camps; attitudes toward Israel, in the issue of Jewish continuity to the is an issue. To illustrate these dif- halakhah (i.e., mother was Jewish), toward lowered fertility among Jewish which religious and political views forefront of the communal agenda, ferences, three critical issues are but a smaller number who are also women. impact on trans-national identity; meth- resulting in such programs as examined: synagogue membership, “practicing” Jews in terms of religion. Jewish mortality tends to be fairly ods of communication, including the birthright israel and the Partnership intermarriage and donations to similar to the general population. The use of the internet and other media; and for Excellence in Jewish Education Jewish charities. • There are between 5.2 and 5.4 million key differences are attributable to higher a move among younger Jews to become (PEJE). Both studies contain invalu- persons who are either Jews by reli- levels of elderly in the Jewish population part of the increasing diversity of Ameri- able information that provide clues Synagogue Membership. Synagogue gion; who define themselves as secular and a higher level of socio-economic sta- can society. Each of these factors can to the types of programming that membership ranges between 21 but ethnically Jewish; or who define tus leading to greater access to medical have a positive or negative impact on might make being Jewish a more percent of households in Seattle, themselves as both Jewish and a non- facilities. For example, the median age of Jewish identification. compelling choice in a country WA and 60 percent of households competing “other” religion. the Jewish population is currently about where everyone is a Jew-by-Choice. in Worcester, MA. Many communi- • There are close to 7 million people 41 years, as compared to 35 years for the Conclusion Yet, another source of data is ties with low membership rates are who can be categorized as having total United States white population. The Jewish community is undergoing a available for examining issues retirement communities, particu- some current Jewish identity, as The third segment of the demo- dynamic process of examination of its related to Jewish continuity locally. larly those in Florida, and western defined above, as well as those with graphic equation is migration. During place in the social mosaic that is emerg- Since 1983, more than 50 scientific communities. Many communities some past connection to being Jewish the last two decades, relatively large ing in 21st century America. According local Jewish community studies with high membership rates are and who live in homes with Jewishly numbers of Jews from the former Soviet to the historian Lloyd Gartner, “The pos- have been completed. These studies located in the Northeast and have a identified people. Union immigrated to the United States, sibilities of Judaism and Jewish life in were sponsored by local Jewish high percentage of households who On the assumption that organiza- reaching an estimated peak of 46,000 in America under the regime of free option, Federations and, collectively, pro- were born in the local area. Thus, tions fulfill needs, that resources are lim- 1992 and then declining to about 16,000 state aloofness, and automatic emancipa- vide information on more than 85 the migratory nature of American ited and that the potential clientele for in 1997. It is not unreasonable to predict tion were to be explored by every genera- percent of the American Jewish Jews results in migrants breaking Jewish organizations has a variety of that with some exceptions, the Jewish tion of Jews who came to America.” How community. Because of method- their institutional ties in the com- needs, which of the potential 7 million net migration on an annual basis may will Jewish institutions react to the needs ological differences between munity in which they were raised clients are “your” constituency and how fall below 10,000 in the near future. In of the current heterogeneous mosaic of national and local studies, local and not re-establishing ties in their are the critical resources available to the sum, while researchers will argue with Jewish identities? Determining demo- studies tend to paint a somewhat new community. community to be used? levels and rates, there is clear evidence graphic conditions is difficult but man- more positive picture of American that as a result of these changes, the ageable. Determining social mobility Jewry than do certain national Intermarriage. The percentage of Dynamics of Change Within demographic momentum is in the direc- conditions is extremely complex and studies. But even that “more posi- married couples who are intermar- a Population tion of a declining Jewish population. may not be quantifiable. Nonetheless, tive picture” does not portend well ried ranges from 3 percent in South The second issue focuses on the dynam- the examination of demographic and Palm Beach to 55 percent in Seattle. ics of change within a population. How social mobility characteristics of the Jew- Much of the variation in the inter- The Social Mobility Component Dr. Ira M. Sheskin is Professor of Geography does the population size change, and The second component is the process of ish population are important in our and the Director of the Jewish Demography marriage rate by community can be what are the factors contributing to this social mobility into or out of a popula- efforts to evaluate and implement strate- Project of the Sue and Leonard Miller Center explained by age variations among change? A population such as American tion sub-group. Social mobility variables gies of increasing Jewish identity and for Contemporary Judaic Studies at the Uni- communities. The Florida retire- Jews can change in two ways. may be defined as the behaviors and commitment in the United States. versity of Miami. ment communities have the lowest

4 CONTACT SPRING 2003 5 table, and how many were Jews?” He The Demographic Component attitudes that individuals manifest and These results mean that, in designing programming to renew Jewish replied indignantly, “they were all Jews. The first is in the demographic size of the exposure to environmental or orga- That’s all we had in our village — Jews.” the population, as determined by fertil- nizational conditions that tend to commitment and strengthen identity, one size does not fit all. Needless to say, they all attended a seder. ity (addition by births), mortality (sub- weaken or strengthen a person’s desire In our home this year, we expect to traction by deaths) and migration (the to remain connected to the group. The have about 25 people around the seder net result of immigrants minus emi- factor that has particularly disturbed the table. They will include those who were grants). The 2000 NJPS points to a birth community in recent years has been the born Jewish and who profess Judaism rate among Jewish women that is con- increasing rate of intermarriage. In 1990, as religion; those who were born Jewish, siderably below the rate required to the intermarriage rate was estimated but profess to have no religion; non- replace a population. For example, 52 somewhere between 45 percent and 52 Jewish spouses; non-Jewish parents of percent of Jewish women aged 30-34 percent, depending on assumptions Jewish Demographics an intermarried spouse; and children have no children, compared to 27 per- made about the definition of who is a being raised as Jews at various levels of cent of women in the general popula- Jew. Even if social action campaigns on the ritual and tradition. This is a small sam- tion, and on average Jewish women in have had some success, this rate is not Local Level pling of the possible identity permuta- the total childbearing age group are hav- likely to have been greatly reduced by tions. It is no longer my father’s Jewish ing less than 2 children each. It is the year 2000. Other variables contribut- by IRA M. SHESKIN population. unlikely that social policy will lead to an ing to potential dynamics of Jewish con- With this in mind, the first issue that increase in birth rates, but it is impor- nection are internal migration — faces organizational policy makers is tant to understand that the pattern and movement out of the Northeast to areas he 1990 and 2000 National for those concerned about the “who falls within the scope of our defi- level of fertility in a society such as the in the South and West; denominational Jewish Population Surveys future of American Jews. nition of the community.” It is clear that United States is dependent on an inter- switching; the changing role of the fam- have garnered significant atten- It becomes clear from an exami- ways of identifying who is a Jew vary active combination of factors. These ily, as secular institutions take over Ttion among those who provide nation of these local data that sig- widely, as is suggested in the following include contraceptive use, marital status, many of the socialization roles of the guidance concerning the condition nificant differences exist from analysis of the NJPS data: age at marriage, level of education and family; the developments in organized of the American Jewish community community to community in the • There are about 3.5 million adults women’s participation in the labor force Jewish education such as day schools nationally. The 1990 NJPS moved extent to which Jewish continuity who can be classified as Jewish by — each of which indicates a trend and camps; attitudes toward Israel, in the issue of Jewish continuity to the is an issue. To illustrate these dif- halakhah (i.e., mother was Jewish), toward lowered fertility among Jewish which religious and political views forefront of the communal agenda, ferences, three critical issues are but a smaller number who are also women. impact on trans-national identity; meth- resulting in such programs as examined: synagogue membership, “practicing” Jews in terms of religion. Jewish mortality tends to be fairly ods of communication, including the birthright israel and the Partnership intermarriage and donations to similar to the general population. The use of the internet and other media; and for Excellence in Jewish Education Jewish charities. • There are between 5.2 and 5.4 million key differences are attributable to higher a move among younger Jews to become (PEJE). Both studies contain invalu- persons who are either Jews by reli- levels of elderly in the Jewish population part of the increasing diversity of Ameri- able information that provide clues Synagogue Membership. Synagogue gion; who define themselves as secular and a higher level of socio-economic sta- can society. Each of these factors can to the types of programming that membership ranges between 21 but ethnically Jewish; or who define tus leading to greater access to medical have a positive or negative impact on might make being Jewish a more percent of households in Seattle, themselves as both Jewish and a non- facilities. For example, the median age of Jewish identification. compelling choice in a country WA and 60 percent of households competing “other” religion. the Jewish population is currently about where everyone is a Jew-by-Choice. in Worcester, MA. Many communi- • There are close to 7 million people 41 years, as compared to 35 years for the Conclusion Yet, another source of data is ties with low membership rates are who can be categorized as having total United States white population. The Jewish community is undergoing a available for examining issues retirement communities, particu- some current Jewish identity, as The third segment of the demo- dynamic process of examination of its related to Jewish continuity locally. larly those in Florida, and western defined above, as well as those with graphic equation is migration. During place in the social mosaic that is emerg- Since 1983, more than 50 scientific communities. Many communities some past connection to being Jewish the last two decades, relatively large ing in 21st century America. According local Jewish community studies with high membership rates are and who live in homes with Jewishly numbers of Jews from the former Soviet to the historian Lloyd Gartner, “The pos- have been completed. These studies located in the Northeast and have a identified people. Union immigrated to the United States, sibilities of Judaism and Jewish life in were sponsored by local Jewish high percentage of households who On the assumption that organiza- reaching an estimated peak of 46,000 in America under the regime of free option, Federations and, collectively, pro- were born in the local area. Thus, tions fulfill needs, that resources are lim- 1992 and then declining to about 16,000 state aloofness, and automatic emancipa- vide information on more than 85 the migratory nature of American ited and that the potential clientele for in 1997. It is not unreasonable to predict tion were to be explored by every genera- percent of the American Jewish Jews results in migrants breaking Jewish organizations has a variety of that with some exceptions, the Jewish tion of Jews who came to America.” How community. Because of method- their institutional ties in the com- needs, which of the potential 7 million net migration on an annual basis may will Jewish institutions react to the needs ological differences between munity in which they were raised clients are “your” constituency and how fall below 10,000 in the near future. In of the current heterogeneous mosaic of national and local studies, local and not re-establishing ties in their are the critical resources available to the sum, while researchers will argue with Jewish identities? Determining demo- studies tend to paint a somewhat new community. community to be used? levels and rates, there is clear evidence graphic conditions is difficult but man- more positive picture of American that as a result of these changes, the ageable. Determining social mobility Jewry than do certain national Intermarriage. The percentage of Dynamics of Change Within demographic momentum is in the direc- conditions is extremely complex and studies. But even that “more posi- married couples who are intermar- a Population tion of a declining Jewish population. may not be quantifiable. Nonetheless, tive picture” does not portend well ried ranges from 3 percent in South The second issue focuses on the dynam- the examination of demographic and Palm Beach to 55 percent in Seattle. ics of change within a population. How social mobility characteristics of the Jew- Much of the variation in the inter- The Social Mobility Component Dr. Ira M. Sheskin is Professor of Geography does the population size change, and The second component is the process of ish population are important in our and the Director of the Jewish Demography marriage rate by community can be what are the factors contributing to this social mobility into or out of a popula- efforts to evaluate and implement strate- Project of the Sue and Leonard Miller Center explained by age variations among change? A population such as American tion sub-group. Social mobility variables gies of increasing Jewish identity and for Contemporary Judaic Studies at the Uni- communities. The Florida retire- Jews can change in two ways. may be defined as the behaviors and commitment in the United States. versity of Miami. ment communities have the lowest

4 CONTACT SPRING 2003 5 Here is the call of the hour. We need philanthropists to match — and master — the mountains of freedom and assimilation, of acceptance and exposure to alternatives.

life, especially through increased education, the interim, most vital synagogues use tion has drawn much attention as a sponsor both formal and informal. Individual philan- retreats to generate such effects. of successful new renaissance programs (Hil- thropists have given important contributions Individual institutions cannot create the lel and the Steinhardt Jewish Campus Service to strengthen institutions. The danger grows needed effect alone. We must provide all Corps, birthright israel), of educational in that individual projects will flourish, but these institutions in local communities enrichment (Partnership for Excellence in the dynamics of the new situation of Ameri- together with a comprehensive Jewish Education) and of new forms of out- can Jewry will be missed. The successes of funding/access program so that there can be reach (Makor). But JLN’s true vision — and individual institutions and experiences are universal participation. High tuition deters seriousness — has been widely missed. JLN often undone by the relentless impact of day school enrollment, so there must be is challenging the community to create an media and societal opportunities. To thrive, community-wide funding to enable broader infrastructure of freedom. Mega-givers must American Jewry must create an infrastructure access. Small budgets and skimpy institu- push the community to stop preserving the — at Jewish Life Network/Steinhardt Foun- tional support weaken youth movements. status quo (in which Jewry is declining) and dation, we call it the infrastructure of free- Camps need comprehensive help with capital to prioritize the comprehensive institutional dom — that can nurture American Jewish building campaigns and counselor recruit- framework that can sustain Jewish life. Phil- souls and win the commitment of the next ment programs. Not until the entire network anthropic leaders can move up the timetable generation. is in place will the next generation be so sat- and redirect priorities. In the end, after suc- This infrastructure is the central mecha- urated with experiences and understanding cesses prove the point, the community must nism needed to raise a whole generation of that it will overwhelmingly choose to live a take over, out of recognition that the total Jews to choose Judaism and Jewishness vol- Jewish life, in and out of the community. infrastructure must become the standard in Universal Jewish Early Care and Education: untarily. We must create an all-encompassing To create a national infrastructure of free- American Jewish life. When that time comes, fabric of Jewish life in which individuals dom, we need a cohort of leaders willing to the Federations will treat a program such as undergo a series of life experiences and think holistically — to expand each institu- birthright israel as the breakthrough which it AWorthy Solution learning as they grow up — so as to internal- tion to be universally available, and to gener- is, and will not consider it to be a “hassle” ize Jewish values and memories and exercise ate the funding to fill in the necessary pieces when such a program demands greater finan- them in all of their life’s work and choices. in each community’s mosaic. We need a new cial effort than the status quo has allowed. to our DemographicWoes Building an infrastructure of freedom generation of philanthropists willing to plan Here is the call of the hour. We need phi- would assure that from childhood on, the for the overall community’s well-being. The lanthropists to match — and master — the individual would grow up in a framework of key shift is for philanthropists to stop think- mountains of freedom and assimilation, of by ILENE C. VOGELSTEIN and FRANCINE JACOBS vital Jewish experiences and learning. The ing narrowly by focusing only on specific acceptance and exposure to alternatives. infrastructure must incorporate a total envi- projects. A leadership cohort must emerge Freedom and choice constitute the frontier he children are our future.” It’s grow into a responsible and productive United States as a whole, and below the ronment (so the Jewish messages come from that is willing to take responsibility for the on which the Jewish future will be won or “ a slogan we hear often in both member of society. He posited that chil- rate necessary to keep the population every direction and at an optimum level); a outcome of this generation’s response to the lost. In a free society, private philanthropy the Jewish and general commu- dren should be seen as communal stable. This may not seem like a crisis; vital community (so the individual feels part challenge of freedom and choice. Such a supplies the oil which runs the system. Who nity. However, reality belies the resources, not as private responsibilities, some argue that we will simply have of something larger than him/herself); group would map the lacunae in the commu- will recognize that possessing unusual T and, as such, they warrant serious public fewer, more committed Jews. On the intense, preferably joyous experiences nity’s safety net, then put up its own resources brings with it a responsibility for sentiment, and has for decades. In 1984, (which evoke loyalty and commitment); per- resources and recruit others to fill the void. the entire community, and not just for indi- for example, demographer Samuel Pre- investment — which they were not get- other hand, in 20 years we could end up suasive, credible learning; and powerful role People say that we cannot afford a commu- vidual good deeds? Which individuals are ston noted that fertility rates were ting at the time. Partly as a result of with both fewer Jews and less commit- models (so the individual identifies with nity cap on day school tuition, or a universal willing to subordinate the autonomy they declining dramatically in the United demographic warnings such as Preston’s, ted Jews, as well as fewer vibrant Jewish Jews past, present and future, and learns how ticket to birthright israel, so we must content earned by wealth, and join a collective team States while the elderly enjoyed propor- and partly due to the increasing percent- communities and a weaker voice repre- to apply Jewishness to all aspects of life). ourselves with individual outstanding insti- of leaders committed to transforming the tional growth (Preston, 1984). Accord- age of mothers with young children senting Jewish interests in United States The institutions that communicate these tutions operating in a communal framework Jewish community? Who is ready to step up ing to Preston, this posed a serious entering the labor force, local, state and and world politics. The recognition of experiences have repeatedly been identified. that is declining. But, in the long term, only giving levels sufficiently to enable Judaism to problem. He argued that, given the federal governments increased their these dangers presents significant oppor- They are day schools (starting with preschool a comprehensive community can compete be a vital competitor in the marketplace of growing scarcity of children, the United investments in children. To date, 42 tunities to maintain, enliven and nursery), youth movements (especially for successfully for loyalty in the open society. free ideas and faiths? States needed each and every one to states require districts to offer full- or strengthen our community. Capitalizing the teenage years of exploration), camps, This is the wealthiest Jewish community of The tasks before us are daunting, expen- part-time kindergarten programs and 46 on these opportunities would require a Israel travel and learning (for the formative all time. The resources needed to fund the sive, creative, exhilarating and sometimes states fund programs for four-year-olds. commitment to a range of interventions high school and college years), and adult new infrastructures are here, but they must frustrating, but the reward will be inscription Ilene C. Vogelstein is Coordinator of the Early intensive retreat/learning experiences. Ideally, be aggressively solicited at a much higher in the book of Jewish history as leaders of Almost twenty years later, the Jewish in Jewish communal life. However, each Childhood Department at the Coalition for the synagogues should also serve as communities level. The status quo spells a continual historic proportions. To paraphrase Pirkei community finds itself in a similar new initiative will have to be compre- Advancement of Jewish Education. Dr. Francine and total environments, a source of vital bleeding away of identity, in which succes- Avot, theirs (yours) is not the obligation to demographic situation. According to the hensive as well as strategic and, to the Jacobs is an Associate Professor in the Eliot-Pearson learning experiences. Unfortunately, too few sive generations give less and less to Jewish complete this historic transformation, but 2000 National Jewish Population Survey, greatest extent possible, based on data Department of Child Development and the Depart- do so now, but this outcome is the goal of causes. This further weakens the community. you are not exempt from the mission of start- ment of Urban and Environmental Policy and Plan- the fertility rate of American Jewish fam- that promise both high utilization and projects like STAR and Synagogue 2000. In Jewish Life Network/Steinhardt Founda- ing the redemption. Now. ning at Tufts University. ilies is low — lower than that of the probable effects.

12 CONTACT SPRING 2003 13 Here is the call of the hour. We need philanthropists to match — and master — the mountains of freedom and assimilation, of acceptance and exposure to alternatives.

12 CONTACT SPRING 2003 13 supports this aspects of early childhood programs tion’s annual allocation. assertion (Shon- might best stimulate it. However, in her koff & Phillips, provocative 2000 study of Jewish iden- • Develop indicators for 2000). Preschool tity development, Bethamie Horowitz excellence and an accredi- children profit found that Jewishness in adulthood tation program to ensure across develop- appears related to a strong orientation every Jewish early child- mental domains towards Jewish life in childhood. When hood center is high quality. (e.g., cognition, conveyed in the early years, the message language, social about the importance of being Jewish • Integrate more family development, persists into adulthood. As one would programming into early etc.) from high- expect, then, to the extent that parents childcare and education quality programs. of young children are Jewishly identi- programs. According to These environ- fied, their children appear more likely to Beck, “Nearly 70% of ments are charac- be so as adults as well. families interviewed terized by warm claimed they were doing and supportive Demographics of work/family life something different in teachers/caretak- In 2001, almost 60 percent of American terms of their Jewish ers who offer mothers with children under age five observance or Jewish stimulating and and 50 percent of mothers of infants one lifestyle as a result of developmentally- year old or less were in the paid labor their child attending a appropriate activi- force. The average number of hours in a Jewish preschool.” Devel- ties and materials. work week has risen as well. The limited opmental milestones can Parents and fami- supply of quality early childhood care be placed in a Jewish lies can benefit and education programs, particularly for context and celebrated, from participation children under age three, is well-docu- documented and shared as well, both in mented across the country. Even where proudly with other fam- the acquisition of they exist, early childhood programs are children cared for by skilled, Jewish for early care and education when they ily members. Let’s create communal new knowledge often prohibitively expensive. Finally, early childhood professionals who can secure it locally for free? and personal celebrations of the life and skills, and in even families in which mothers do not will sing Jewish songs as they rock and development of each and every the development work are increasingly seeking early the infants to sleep, play Shimone • Create community-wide “parents-to-be” Jewish child from their birth (b’tzelem of mutually sup- childhood experiences for their children. Omer (Simon Says) in Hebrew, tell programs. Teach Lamaze and introduce elokim, or in the image of God), to portive communi- The market for these programs is large Jewish stories during story time and families to the Jewish community and their first words (berachot, or bless- ties. The and growing, and is not being filled by say the blessings over the food at meal to Judaism. Participants might receive ings), to their first steps (gemilut possibility of programs in the secular world. time? one year of free or reduced fee early chasadim, or acts of loving kindness). developing these What specific steps might we take? childcare and education in a Jewish nurturing, endur- Universal, low-cost or free Jewish care • Provide free programs for four- and five- early childhood program of their A large Jewish community recently It is time the Jewish community gave year-olds. Vogelstein and Kaplan (2002) choice. ran a legacy and endowment advertise- serious consideration to a proposal for noted a general trend of enrollment ment that pictured a three-year-old and universal Jewish early childhood educa- peaking at four years of age, with fewer If the idea of universal early care and a four-year-old sliding down a sliding tion for every Jewish family, whether it It is time the Jewish community gave serious consideration children enrolled as they approached education is too daunting, there are less board with the caption, “Their Jewish is affiliated or not, disaffected or not, kindergarten. According to Beck radical options available for investing in future is in YOUR hands.” The slogan intermarried or not, and well educated to a proposal for universal Jewish early childhood education (2002), 72 percent of children who existing early childhood programs. could not be more accurate, yet virtually Judaically or not. Why universal Jewish complete a Jewish preschool experience no money is earmarked, by that commu- early childhood education? There are for every Jewish family. after the age of four go to public • Make available 1 percent of the United nity or by any other, for early childhood three broad lines of argument in support kindergarten. Only 53 percent continue Jewish Communities’ annual allocation Jewish education. A Jewish future of this proposal: research on secular their Jewish education in synagogue- to all communities, to be matched in requires Jewish children; let’s start early early childhood education that estab- ing communities of young Jewish fami- and education for children, from birth based religious school the year after part by 1 percent of each local federa- to ensure that future. lishes its effectiveness; Jewish identity lies is a particularly appealing aspect of through kindergarten, sounds like a tall “graduating” from preschool. As noted development theory that supports early, this proposal. order, but many countries struggling earlier, universal public kindergarten sustained engagement in Jewish life; and with declining birth rates do it to vary- for five-year-olds will likely be a reality References cited in this article: the current demographics of work/family Jewish identity development theory ing degrees. Below are several ways to in most states within the next few Beck, Pearl (2002). Jewish Preschools as Gateways to Jewish Life: A Survey of Jewish Preschool Parents life that documents the existence of a Early childhood Jewish education is less structure this service: years, and many states are currently in Three Cities. Baltimore: Jewish Early Childhood Education Partnership. ready market for this programming. concerned with stimulating specific designing or offering programs for Horowitz, Bethamie (2000). Connections and Journeys: Assessing Critical Opportunities for Enhanc- developmental skills, or even transmit- • Provide a sliding fee scale for children four-year-olds. Although a positive ing Jewish Identity. New York: UJA-Federation of New York. Research on early ting discrete bits of knowledge, than six weeks to three years of age. This development in secular education, this Preston, Samuel H. (1984). Children and the Elderly: Divergent Paths for America’s Dependents. childhood education with developing a Jewish identity — a service will be particularly crucial for trend poses a threat to enrollment in Demography, 21(4), 435-357. Although for decades practitioners and sense of affiliation and belonging. There single parent families or two-parent Jewish programming, especially since Shonkoff, Jack P. & Phillips, Deborah, editors (2000). From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development. Washington, DC: National Academies Press. parents have claimed that early child- is no research that describes the working families with young children. the Jewish content in Jewish preschools is not a powerful draw for parents. Vogelstein, Ilene, & Kaplan, David. (2000). Untapped Potential: The Status of Jewish Early Childhood hood education promotes child develop- processes by which Jewish identification What better way to ensure the next Education in America. Baltimore: Jewish Early Childhood Education Partnership. ment, recent research now unequivocally develops in young children, or which generation than to have very young Why, then, would Jewish parents pay

14 CONTACT SPRING 2003 15 supports this aspects of early childhood programs tion’s annual allocation. assertion (Shon- might best stimulate it. However, in her koff & Phillips, provocative 2000 study of Jewish iden- • Develop indicators for 2000). Preschool tity development, Bethamie Horowitz excellence and an accredi- children profit found that Jewishness in adulthood tation program to ensure across develop- appears related to a strong orientation every Jewish early child- mental domains towards Jewish life in childhood. When hood center is high quality. (e.g., cognition, conveyed in the early years, the message language, social about the importance of being Jewish • Integrate more family development, persists into adulthood. As one would programming into early etc.) from high- expect, then, to the extent that parents childcare and education quality programs. of young children are Jewishly identi- programs. According to These environ- fied, their children appear more likely to Beck, “Nearly 70% of ments are charac- be so as adults as well. families interviewed terized by warm claimed they were doing and supportive Demographics of work/family life something different in teachers/caretak- In 2001, almost 60 percent of American terms of their Jewish ers who offer mothers with children under age five observance or Jewish stimulating and and 50 percent of mothers of infants one lifestyle as a result of developmentally- year old or less were in the paid labor their child attending a appropriate activi- force. The average number of hours in a Jewish preschool.” Devel- ties and materials. work week has risen as well. The limited opmental milestones can Parents and fami- supply of quality early childhood care be placed in a Jewish lies can benefit and education programs, particularly for context and celebrated, from participation children under age three, is well-docu- documented and shared as well, both in mented across the country. Even where proudly with other fam- the acquisition of they exist, early childhood programs are children cared for by skilled, Jewish for early care and education when they ily members. Let’s create communal new knowledge often prohibitively expensive. Finally, early childhood professionals who can secure it locally for free? and personal celebrations of the life and skills, and in even families in which mothers do not will sing Jewish songs as they rock and development of each and every the development work are increasingly seeking early the infants to sleep, play Shimone • Create community-wide “parents-to-be” Jewish child from their birth (b’tzelem of mutually sup- childhood experiences for their children. Omer (Simon Says) in Hebrew, tell programs. Teach Lamaze and introduce elokim, or in the image of God), to portive communi- The market for these programs is large Jewish stories during story time and families to the Jewish community and their first words (berachot, or bless- ties. The and growing, and is not being filled by say the blessings over the food at meal to Judaism. Participants might receive ings), to their first steps (gemilut possibility of programs in the secular world. time? one year of free or reduced fee early chasadim, or acts of loving kindness). developing these What specific steps might we take? childcare and education in a Jewish nurturing, endur- Universal, low-cost or free Jewish care • Provide free programs for four- and five- early childhood program of their A large Jewish community recently It is time the Jewish community gave year-olds. Vogelstein and Kaplan (2002) choice. ran a legacy and endowment advertise- serious consideration to a proposal for noted a general trend of enrollment ment that pictured a three-year-old and universal Jewish early childhood educa- peaking at four years of age, with fewer If the idea of universal early care and a four-year-old sliding down a sliding tion for every Jewish family, whether it It is time the Jewish community gave serious consideration children enrolled as they approached education is too daunting, there are less board with the caption, “Their Jewish is affiliated or not, disaffected or not, kindergarten. According to Beck radical options available for investing in future is in YOUR hands.” The slogan intermarried or not, and well educated to a proposal for universal Jewish early childhood education (2002), 72 percent of children who existing early childhood programs. could not be more accurate, yet virtually Judaically or not. Why universal Jewish complete a Jewish preschool experience no money is earmarked, by that commu- early childhood education? There are for every Jewish family. after the age of four go to public • Make available 1 percent of the United nity or by any other, for early childhood three broad lines of argument in support kindergarten. Only 53 percent continue Jewish Communities’ annual allocation Jewish education. A Jewish future of this proposal: research on secular their Jewish education in synagogue- to all communities, to be matched in requires Jewish children; let’s start early early childhood education that estab- ing communities of young Jewish fami- and education for children, from birth based religious school the year after part by 1 percent of each local federa- to ensure that future. lishes its effectiveness; Jewish identity lies is a particularly appealing aspect of through kindergarten, sounds like a tall “graduating” from preschool. As noted development theory that supports early, this proposal. order, but many countries struggling earlier, universal public kindergarten sustained engagement in Jewish life; and with declining birth rates do it to vary- for five-year-olds will likely be a reality References cited in this article: the current demographics of work/family Jewish identity development theory ing degrees. Below are several ways to in most states within the next few Beck, Pearl (2002). Jewish Preschools as Gateways to Jewish Life: A Survey of Jewish Preschool Parents life that documents the existence of a Early childhood Jewish education is less structure this service: years, and many states are currently in Three Cities. Baltimore: Jewish Early Childhood Education Partnership. ready market for this programming. concerned with stimulating specific designing or offering programs for Horowitz, Bethamie (2000). Connections and Journeys: Assessing Critical Opportunities for Enhanc- developmental skills, or even transmit- • Provide a sliding fee scale for children four-year-olds. Although a positive ing Jewish Identity. New York: UJA-Federation of New York. Research on early ting discrete bits of knowledge, than six weeks to three years of age. This development in secular education, this Preston, Samuel H. (1984). Children and the Elderly: Divergent Paths for America’s Dependents. childhood education with developing a Jewish identity — a service will be particularly crucial for trend poses a threat to enrollment in Demography, 21(4), 435-357. Although for decades practitioners and sense of affiliation and belonging. There single parent families or two-parent Jewish programming, especially since Shonkoff, Jack P. & Phillips, Deborah, editors (2000). From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development. Washington, DC: National Academies Press. parents have claimed that early child- is no research that describes the working families with young children. the Jewish content in Jewish preschools is not a powerful draw for parents. Vogelstein, Ilene, & Kaplan, David. (2000). Untapped Potential: The Status of Jewish Early Childhood hood education promotes child develop- processes by which Jewish identification What better way to ensure the next Education in America. Baltimore: Jewish Early Childhood Education Partnership. ment, recent research now unequivocally develops in young children, or which generation than to have very young Why, then, would Jewish parents pay

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he 2000 National Jewish Population Survey revealed that the Jewish people are at a critical juncture. Our community is shrinking, and it will continue to do so unless we rethink our strategies of engagement and philanthropic leadership. It is time to implement a vision of American Jewish renaissance that engages the majority of secular, unaffiliated American Jews who are currently ignored by Jewish institutions. There is no time to waste. Based on our actions today, future population studies will reveal a community in continuing disarray — or in the midst of renaissance. — MICHAEL H. STEINHARDT