For Immediate Release:
July 9th, 2012
Contact: Jo-Ann Mort
ChangeCommunications
info@communicatechange.com
Tel: 718-954-0352
Tel: 97-254-726-9886

Younger Jews have more nuanced view of Israel than older population
~Perceived “Birthright Bump” attests to more attachment among under 35 set~

NEW YORK: Non-Orthodox younger Jews, ages 35 and under, are substantially more attached to Israel than those ages 35-44, according to the recent Workmen’s Circle survey of American Jews. This sample does not include the Orthodox or day school alumni. The survey, which was conducted in late April and early May by Professors Steven M. Cohen and Samuel Abrams, shows evidence of a turnaround in the slide young people’s attachment to Israel reported in prior studies. In contrast, with those under 35, Israel attachment levels are, in fact, lower among those ages 35-44. However, consistent with prior studies, American Jews over the age of 44 are more attached to Israel than the 35-44 year olds.

Travel to Israel may be the critical factor in creating this change. “It seems that the attachment levels for the entire age cohort are elevated due in large part to the increasing number of people who have visited Israel,” commented Prof. Cohen. “Moreover, we may have evidence of a social network effect. With a critical mass of young people who have been to Israel, even their friends who haven’t traveled there are seeing Israel in a more attractive light.” Among those under 35, 34% have been to Israel as compared with just 22% of those 35-44.

The sample excluded Orthodox and day school alumni to loosely mirror the Birthright-eligible, both attendees and others. In all, 888 respondents comprised the sub-sample, drawn from the 1,000 in the total Workmen’s Circle sample.

“In all likelihood, the cumulative impact of Birthright Israel in bringing so many young Jews to Israel may be coming to the fore. While this finding is the first of its kind, it’s very suggestive and very policy-relevant. Should other evidence of a similar nature emerge, we will have mounting support for the notion of what could be called, the ‘Birthright Bump.’ That is, we may be seeing a bump upward in Israel attachment for an entire cohort of young people, owing to their far more frequent travel to Israel due in large part to Birthright,” stated Cohen. Worldwide, Birthright Israel has sent nearly 300,000 Jews between the ages of 18 to 26 to Israel since 2000.

At the same time, the increased attachment to Israel does not seem to bring with it an increased confidence in Israel’s leader in the context of the conflict with the Palestinians. Younger Jews – both those under 35 and those 35-44 – express far less enthusiasm for Israel’s stance in the conflict. On a “Trust in Israeli Leaders” index ranging from 0 to 100, the younger respondents scored about twenty points lower than their parents’ age groups. The index consisted of three questions pertaining to seeing Israel as truly interested in peace, seeing the Palestine Authority as uninterested in peace, and favoring US support exclusively for Israel (rather than US support for Palestinians or for both sides equally).

“Apparently, while attachment to Israel and trust in Israeli leaders are correlated, they are not the same sentiment,” remarked Prof. Abrams. “Among those under 35, people in my own age demographic, Jews can be both attached to Israel and assume fairly independent if not skeptical stances toward Israeli government policies.”

The research measured Israel attachment through a composite index drawing upon two questions: “How emotionally attached are you to Israel?” And: “To what extent do you see yourself as pro-Israel.” Those answering both questions positively (“very attached” and pro-Israel “to a great extent”) earned a score of 100 on the index.

The upturn in Israel attachment is not due to increasing Jewish engagement on the part of the young. Their frequency of attending synagogue services largely resembles that found among those 35-44. In fact, they are less likely to report that half or more of their close friends are Jewish. “In other words, they’re not more attached to Israel because they’re more attached to being Jewish,” Cohen remarked.

“As these polling data shows us, young Jews feel attached to Israel, but are also analytical. This combination fits squarely with the Workmen’s Circle’s own support for Israel within the framework of two states, Israel and Palestine,” said Madelon Braun, President of the Workmen’s Circle.

“The renewed Workmen’s Circle is delighted to enrich the American Jewish conversation on the future of Israel and American Jewry with this poll. We look forward to future public education initiatives that will enhance and inform our communal discussion on the topic,” said Ann Toback, National Executive Director of the Workmen’s Circle.

Background on the poll

The poll was commissioned by the Workmen’s Circle / Arbeter Ring. The first part of the poll was released on May 31, 2012.

Principal investigators were Professor Steven M. Cohen of the Berman Jewish-Policy Archive @ NYU Wagner (www.BJPA.org), and Professor Samuel J. Abrams of Sarah Lawrence College and Stanford University.

The Washington office of IPSOS, under the direction of Dr. Alan Roschwalb, fielded the survey April 19 – May 3, 2012. Respondents included 1,000 American Jews, by Internet, who had previously agreed to participate in social research conducted by IPSOS. The results were weighted to reflect the American Jewish population with respect to age, gender, regional distribution, educational attainment, marital status, intermarriage status, and Jewish parentage (none, one, two parents).

The survey questions can be found here: www.wcsurvey.org.

About the Workmen’s Circle

The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring was founded in 1900 by Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe who sought to promote values of social and economic justice through a Jewish lens.

Over the past century, the organization has undergone significant changes in outlook and program, but has remained passionately committed to the principles of Jewish community, the promotion of an enlightened Jewish culture, and social justice. The Workmen’s Circle is now building a new national network of energetic, engaged Jewish learning communities to join its Signature Shules (schools), Camp Kinder Ring, and retreat and learning center, Circle Lodge, all connected by a shared passion to celebrate Jewish cultural heritage and collectively improve the world through social change activism.

The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that does not support or oppose candidates for political office.