Workmen’s Circle / Arbeter Ring 2012 American Jews’ Political Values Survey – Full Results

Youngest Adults Show Evidence of a Birthright Bump in Attachment to Israel Along with Decreased Relative Trust in Israel

July 9th, 2012

Attached to Israel Index:

1) Considers self pro-Israel to a great extent

2) Feels very emotionally attached to Israel

A positive answer to each question is worth 50 points on the Index

 

The Trust in Israel Index:

1) Disagrees that the Palestinian Authority truly wants peace.

2) Agrees that Israel truly wants peace.

3) Believes that the US should support Israel, rather than the Palestinians or both sides equally.

A positive answer on each was worth 33 1/3 points on a 100 points scale.

 

This analysis performed on a sub-sample of the Workmen’s Circle national sample of American Jews. The sub-sample consists of those who are not Orthodox and who never attended a Jewish day school or yeshiva. These 888 respondents (drawn out of the national sample of 1,000 respondents nationwide) approximate those who have been eligible for participation in Birthright Israel since 1999. The full sample was weighted to reflect national demographic targets for education, age, gender, marital status, intermarriage, and number of Jewish parents. The survey was fielded April 19 to May 3, 2012.

 

 

Q2 How interested are you in information about what’s going on in government and politics?
• Not interested at all – 5
• Slightly interested – 13
• Moderately interested – 28
• Very Interested – 27
• Extremely Interested – 27

Q3 How much can people like you affect what the government does?
• Not at all – 8
• A little – 32
• A moderate amount – 32
• A lot – 17
• A great deal – 11

Q4 Which of the following describes you best?
• Not sure – 5
• I have no desire to be politically active. – 38
• I would be more politically active if I had more time. – 27
• I’d like to be more politically active, but I’m not sure how – 16
• I am politically active. – 14

Q5 How fair do you think our present federal tax system is?
• Not fair at all – 31
• Not too fair – 45
• Moderately fair – 22
• Very fair – 2

Q6 What is your opinion about raising federal income taxes for people who make more than $200,000 per year?
• Oppose – 19
• Not sure – 15
• Favor – 65

Answer If What is your opinion about raising federal income taxes … Oppose Is Selected
Q7 What about for those who make more than $250,000 per year?
• Neither favor nor oppose – 3
• Oppose – 88
• Favor – 9

Q8 When you hear of a strike by a union against a large company, and before you know any of the details, what is your first reaction?
• To side with the union – 62
• To side with the company – 38

Q9 Thinking about economic concerns for the country, what kind of threat do you feel the power of financial institutions and banks pose on the economic well being of
the U.S.?
• No threat – 8
• Minor threat – 30
• Major threat – 62

Q10 How do you feel about the U.S. government making it possible for illegal immigrants to become U.S. citizens?
• Oppose – 38
• Not Sure – 28
• Favor – 34

Q11 What is your opinion about allowing homosexuals to marry members of their own sex and have regular marriage laws apply to them?
• Oppose – 15
• Not sure – 16
• Favor – 68

Q12 Which of the following statements best describes your view on abortion? It should be….
• legal in all cases. – 45
• legal in most cases. – 44
• illegal in most cases. – 10
• illegal in all cases. – 2

Q13 In general, what is your opinion about the new federal requirement that private health insurance plans cover the cost of birth control?
• Oppose – 16
• Not sure – 11
• Support – 73

Q14 How important are each of the following issue areas to you?

	Not Important	Somewhat Important	Very Important	Extremely Important
Global warming	13	23	28	26
Taxes	2	16	40	42
Immigration	8	33	34	25
Jobs/the economy	1	6	27	66
Poverty	2	24	39	35
Economic justice issues	6	24	39	31
Rights of workers	5	21	42	33
The business climate	4	21	45	29
Abortion	10	32	33	25
Energy policy	4	22	39	36
Israel and the Palestinians	4	17	31	48
The situation involving Iran	5	21	34	40
Racial inequality	10	26	38	27
Gender-based inequality	9	25	35	32
Anti-Semitism	3	12	27	58

 

Q15 Some people feel that the government in Washington should see to it that every person has a job and a good standard of living…Others think the government should just let each person get ahead on his/her own. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven’t you thought much about this?
• 1 – Government should see to it that every person has a job – 7
• 2 11
• 3 14
• 4 25
• 5 14
• 6 12
• 7 – Government should just let each person get ahead on his – 11
• I don’t know 7

Q16 Some people feel that the government in Washington should make every effort to improve the social and economic position of blacks. Others feel that the government should not make any special effort to help blacks because they should help themselves. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven’t you thought much about this?
• 1- Government should help – 5
• 2 6
• 3 17
• 4 20
• 5 14
• 6 12
• 7 – Help themselves – 19
• I don’t know – 6

Q17 Some people feel that the government should provide fewer services, even in areas such as health and education, in order to reduce spending. Other people feel that it is important for the government to provide many more services even if it means an increase in spending. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven’t you thought much about this?
• 1- Cut services and spending – 10
• 2 5
• 3 7
• 4 23
• 5 21
• 6 12
• 7 – More services and spending – 15
• I don’t know – 7

Q18 Some people believe that we should spend much less money for defense. Others feel that defense spending should be greatly increased. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven’t you thought much about this?
• 1- Greatly decrease – 10
• 2 9
• 3 19
• 4 33
• 5 14
• 6 4
• 7 – Greatly increase – 5
• I don’t know – 6

Q19 What are your views on the following issues?

	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Not Sure	Agree	Strongly Agree
The government should do more to help needy Americans	2	14	23	38	22
The government today can’t afford to do much more to help the needy	9	28	27	23	13
More environmental protection is needed even if it raises prices or costs jobs	10	19	31	29	12
The Palestinian Authority truly wants peace	46	25	24	3	2
The current Israeli government truly wants peace	2	11	29	32	26
The Israeli government wants to prevent the emergence of a Palestinian state	6	16	32	27	18
The Palestinians seek Israel’s destruction	1	3	18	24	54
Israel should freeze the expansion of settlements on the West Bank	10	12	39	23	17

 

Q20 Please answer the following questions regarding the Israelis and Palestinians.

	Israelis more to blame	Palestinians more to blame	Both equally	Not sure
Who is more to blame for the failure of both sides to reach a peace agreement?	1	57	32	10
	US should support Palestinians	US should support Israel	Both equally	Not sure
Who should the U.S. support?	0	73	17	9

 

Q21 THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE?

Q22 How closely are you following the presidential race?
Very closely (4) 5
Somewhat closely (3) 20
Not too closely (2) 38
Not closely at all (1) 37

Q23 How do you feel about the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president?
Approve strongly (5) 5
Approve somewhat (4) 25
Disapprove somewhat (3) 20
Disapprove strongly (2) 35
Not sure (1) 15

Q24 To what extent does Barack Obama share your values?
Not sure 8
Not at all 26
A little 17
To some extent 28
To a great extent 21

Q25 To what extent does Mitt Romney share your values?
Not sure 13
Not at all 44
A little 24
To some extent 15
To a great extent 3

Q26 If the 2012 presidential election were being held today, for whom would you vote?
Barack Obama 58
Mitt Romney 27
Not sure 15

Q27 Are you registered to vote at your present address?
Not sure 2
No 8
Yes 91

Q28 Your Views

Q29 Below are several ways people see themselves. To what extent do you feel each applies to you?
Not at all Somewhat To a great extent Not sure
Conservative (1) 40 39 12 9
Liberal (2) 22 40 29 10
Pro-Business (3) 22 43 17 18
Pro-Labor (4) 20 45 15 21
Progressive (5) 19 39 20 22
Feminist (6) 31 40 22 7
Environmentalist (7) 23 49 21 6
Social activist (8) 42 37 11 10
Leftist (9) 58 17 8 17
Radical (10) 76 8 2 14
Culturally oriented (11) 12 56 24 9
Intellectual (12) 6 53 33 8

Q30 Overall, how would you describe your views on political issues?
1- Extremely Conservative (7) 2
2 (6) 6
3 (5) 10
4 – Moderate (4) 34
5 (3) 16
6 (2) 18
7 – Extremely Liberal (1) 10
Other or Not sure (0) 4

Q31 Overall, how would you describe your political partisanship?
1- Strong Democrat (7) 17
2 (6) 17
3 (5) 21
4 – Pure Independent (4) 17
5 (3) 11
6 (2) 7
7 – Strong Republican (1) 4
Other or Not sure (0) 5

Q32 In your view is there a progressive movement in America?
Not sure 47
No (0) 21
Yes 32
Answer If In your view is there a progressive movement in America? Yes Is Selected

Q33 Do you consider yourself to be part of the progressive movement in America?
Total % Valid %
Not sure 5 15
No (0) 16 50
Yes 11 35
Missing 68

Q34 Do you belong to or contribute to a progressive organization that focuses on issues such as economic justice, social justice, human rights, peace, and the environment?
Yes, two or more organizations (1) 10
Yes, one such organization (2) 7
No (3) 83

Q35 Have you ever been to Israel?
Yes, 3 or more times (1) 11
Yes, twice (2) 7
Yes, once (3) 16
No (4) 65

Q36 How emotionally attached are you to Israel?
Not at all attached 11
Not very attached 16
Somewhat attached 37
Very attached 36

Q37 YOUR BACKGROUND

Q38 Are you:
Male (1) 45
Female (2) 55

Q39 What is your age as of your last birthday?
Under 25 (1) 6
25-34 (2) 23
35-44 (3) 12
45-54 (4) 22
55-64 (5) 15
65-74 (6) 16
75 and above (7) 6

Q40 Are you:
Married (1) 55
Never Married (2) 22
Divorced or separated (3) 14
Widowed (4) 5
Living with someone, partnered (5) 5

Q41 Do you have children under 18 living with you?
No 71
Yes 29

Q43 What is the highest level of education you have achieved?
High school or less (1) 7
Some college (2) 35
B.A. or B.S. or other undergraduate degree (3) 23
M.A. or equivalent (4) 13
Professional post-graduate degree (e.g. MSW., law degree, MBA., MLS) (5) 16
Doctor or Doctorate (M.D., Ed.D., Ph.D., etc.) (6) 5

Q44 Are you or anyone in your household a member of a labor union?
No 87
Yes 13

Q45 Was either of your parents a member of a labor union?
Not sure 4
No (0) 75
Yes 21

Q46 How do you consider yourself?
Heterosexual or straight (1) 91
Homosexual or gay (or lesbian) (2) 4
Bisexual (3) 4
Other (4) 0
Not sure (5) 1

Q47 How do you consider yourself?
Jewish (1) 87
Partially Jewish (2) 12
Not Jewish (3) 1
Answer If Are you: Married Is Selected

Q48 How does your spouse consider himself/herself? (45% are missing)
Jewish (1) 58
Partially Jewish (2) 5
Not Jewish (3) 37

Q49 When you were a child, how did you mother consider herself?
Jewish (1) 86
Partially Jewish (2) 3
Not Jewish (3) 11

Q50 When you were a child, how did you father consider himself?
Jewish (1) 74
Partially Jewish (2) 4
Not Jewish (3) 21

Q51 Among the people you consider your closest friends, would you say that
All or almost all are Jewish (1) 8
Most are Jewish (2) 14
About half are Jewish (3) 30
Most are non-Jewish 37
None are Jewish (4) 10

Q52 Jewish Background

Q53 To what extent do you see yourself as…

	Not Important	Somewhat Important	Very Important	Extremely Important
A cultural Jew	18	41	36	4
A religious Jew	51	33	13	4
A secular Jew	46	29	16	9
Spiritual	30	38	28	4
Anti-religious	78	14	4	5
Ritually observant	6	24	39	31
Pro-Israel	8	21	42	33
A Zionist	49	21	14	16
A Yiddishist	56	13	4	28
A Hebraist	54	11	5	30
A Jewish citizen	30	32	29	10

Q54 As a child, what was the main type of Jewish schooling you received, if any?
A day school (1) 9
A “shule” or secular school or school that emphasized Jewish culture (2) 6
Another type of Jewish school that met afternoons or weekends, twice a week or more (3) 33
A Sunday school (4) 22
None (5) 30

Q55 How important is being Jewish in your life, if at all?
Very important (4) 44
Somewhat important (3) 37
Not too important (2) 14
Not at all important (1) 5

Q56 How important is religion in your life, if at all?
Not at all important 16
Not too important 25
Somewhat important 32
Very important 27

Q57 Aside from weddings, funerals or family events, how often do you attend Jewish religious services?
Once a week or more (1) 9
2-3 times a month (2) 6
Once a month (3) 6
A few times a year (4) 18
Once or twice a year (5) 22
Never (6) 39

Q58 On Yom Kippur, do you usually fast at least part of the day?
Yes (1) 55
No (0) 41
Not sure (-1) 3

Q59 On Friday nights, do you sometimes have a special meal with family or friends?
Yes (1) 39
No (0) 61
Not sure (-1) 0

Q60 Referring to Jewish religious denominations, what do you consider yourself, if any?
Orthodox (1) 8
Conservative (2) 18
Reform (3) 31
Reconstructionist (4) 1
Non-denominational (5) 2
Secular Jewish (6) 4
Culturally Jewish (7) 8
Just Jewish (8) 22
Not Jewish (9) 5
Not sure (10) 8

Q61 Do you belong to a…
Yes (1) No (0)
Synagogue, temple, havurah or minyan? (1) 33 67
Church or other non-Jewish house of worship? (2) 1 99

Q62 In the past 2 years, have you served on the board, or in any other leadership capacity in…
A synagogue (1) 15
A Jewish activist, progressive or social justice project or organization (2) 11
Any other Jewish organization (3) –

Q63 To what extent would you say that your Jewish identity is important in shaping your political identity?
To a great extent (4) 35
Somewhat (3) 42
Not at all (2) 18
Not sure (1) 5

Q64 To what extent would you say that your political identity is important in shaping your Jewish identity?
Not at all 58
Somewhat 25
To a great extent 10
Not sure 8

Q65 Are you or anyone in your household a member of the Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring?
Yes (1) 0
No (0) 100