Summary Report - Berman Jewish DataBank
Transcription
Summary Report - Berman Jewish DataBank
The 2008 Jewish Community Study of Greater Middlesex County Summary Report Ira M. Sheskin, Ph.D. Director of the Jewish Demography Project of the Sue and Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies and Associate Professor Department of Geography and Regional Studies University of Miami [email protected] Electronic copies of the data, reports, and slides from this study are available at www.JewishMiddlesex.org and www.jewishdatabank.org. January 2009 Tevet 5769 Demographic Study Committees Barry Sherman Study Chair Ruth Bash Arthur Cohen Miriam Eichler Arthur Fliegelman Dr. Albert Friedes Martin Friedman Arlene Frumkin Mitchell Frumkin Dr. Albert Hochhauser Brian Kheel Dana Korbman Dr. Steven Lenger Elaine Machtiger Dr. Joseph Naus Sheryl Olitzky Ruth Marcus Patt Dr. David Rabinowitz Dr. Nathan Reiss Paul Rovinsky Abraham Schwartzbard Udi Shorr Dr. Eliot Spack Florence Stein Dr. Michael Wasserman David Yellin Lee Livingston, President Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County Staff Gerrie Bamira, Executive Director Susan Antman, Associate Director Laura Safran, Planning and Allocations Director Study Director Dr. Ira M. Sheskin -ii- Dear Friends, We are pleased to present the results of the Greater Middlesex Community Study, conducted by renowned demographer Dr. Ira Sheskin. This document paints a picture of a Jewish community at an extraordinary moment in time. While the data reflect basic information -how many Jews live in Middlesex County; our levels of Jewish commitment, observance and education; rates of intermarriage; income and age levels; and the current demand for social services under Jewish auspices - it also points us toward the future, creating a vision of a vibrant community that unites to strengthen Jewish life in Middlesex County. The data will only be as helpful as is our willingness to use it wisely. The Jewish Federation has launched a major community planning initiative, chaired by Seth Gross, which will engage synagogues, agencies, and individuals throughout the community in setting goals and developing strategies to address key themes that emerge from this study. Continue to visit www.JewishMiddlesex.org, where we will share information as our planning work progresses. We are very proud of the collaborative effort that produced this document – and are confident that these data will be instrumental in helping all of us work together to touch Jewish lives and build Jewish community in Greater Middlesex County, in Israel, and around the world. Sincerely, Lee Livingston President Director Barry Sherman Study Chair Gerrie Bamira Executive -iv- Table of Contents Page Major Themes of the Study. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i Maps.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxi Major Findings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Comparisons with Other Jewish Communities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Introduction.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Size and Distribution of the Jewish Population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Geographic Profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Demographic Profile–Age.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Demographic Profile–Household Size. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Demographic Profile–Household Structure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Demographic Profile–Marital Status. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Demographic Profile–Secular Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Demographic Profile–Employment Status. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Demographic Profile–Housing Value. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Demographic Profile–Household Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Religious Profile–Jewish Identification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Religious Profile–Practices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Religious Profile–Synagogue Attendance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Religious Profile–Types of Marriage.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Membership Profile–Synagogues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Membership Profile–JCC and Jewish Organizations .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Feel Part of the Jewish Community. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Jewish Education of Adults–Formal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Jewish Education of Adults–Informal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Jewish Education of Children–Preschool/Child Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Jewish Education of Children–Jewish Day School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Jewish Education of Children–School Age Children.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Jewish Education of Children–Informal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Jewish Agencies–Familiarity.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Jewish Day Schools–Familiarity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Jewish Agencies–Perception. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Jewish Day Schools–Perception. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 -v- Table of Contents Page Social Service Needs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Preference for Jewish-Sponsored Adult Care Facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Israel–Visits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Emotional Attachment to Israel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Anti-Semitism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 The Media.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Philanthropic Profile–Overall Donations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Philanthropic Profile–JFGMC Donations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Philanthropic Profile–Other Donations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Philanthropic Profile–Market Share. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Philanthropic Profile–Wills. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Philanthropic Profile–Volunteerism.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Philanthropic Profile–Attitudes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Acknowledgments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 -vi- Major Themes of the Study Middlesex Has Shown a Small Decrease in Jewish Population in Recent Years and This Decrease Is Likely to Continue 56,600 persons live in 24,000 Jewish households in Middlesex, of whom 52,000 persons (92%) are Jewish. In addition to the 52,000 Jews in Middlesex, the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County also serves another 3,500 Jews in zip code 08873 (Somerset) in Somerset County. Middlesex has the third largest Jewish population in New Jersey. 9% of households in Middlesex are Jewish households, which is the seventh highest of about 50 comparison Jewish communities. Three findings should be considered in examining changes in the size of the Middlesex Jewish community from 2000-2008. First, according to the Distinctive Jewish Name (DJN) Counting Project, the number of Jewish households decreased 14%, from an estimated 27,900 households in 2000 to 24,000 households in 2008. Some of this decrease may very well be due to an increase in cell phone-only households, particularly in the area around Rutgers, who are not listed in the telephone directories used for the DJN Counting Project. Second, according to the Jewish Federation Survey, the number of Jewish households who donated to the Jewish Federation Annual Campaign decreased by 27%, from 5,383 households in 2000 to 3,928 households in 2008. Third, according to the Synagogue Survey, the number of households in Middlesex who are members of a synagogue located in Middlesex or neighboring communities increased by 7%, from 8,839 households in 2000 to 9,467 households in 2008. The first two findings suggest a possible decrease in Jewish population, while the third points to a potential increase. However, note that an increase in synagogue membership may still occur in the face of a decrease in Jewish population. The study’s findings suggest future stability in the Jewish population attributable to migration. 11% of Jewish households in Middlesex moved to the local community in the past five years, which is about average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities. The 11% suggests that an average of 523 Jewish households who currently live in Middlesex moved to Middlesex each year during the past five years (the in-migration rate). The 7% of Jewish households who will definitely or probably (3% definitely and 4% probably) move out of Middlesex within the next three years, which is about average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities, suggests that an average of between 232 and 520 Jewish households will move out of Middlesex each year within the next three years (the out-migration rate). Assuming that the current rate of in-migration continues for the next few years, these data suggest that the number of Jewish households in Middlesex will probably not change significantly during the next few years as a result of migration into and out of Middlesex. A decrease in the Middlesex Jewish population may result in the future from a birth rate that is lower than the death rate in the Jewish community. Middlesex has a large elderly population. 36% of persons in Jewish households are age 65 and over, compared to 16% nationally (NJPS 2000) and 13% of all Americans (both Jewish and non-Jewish) as of 2007. More importantly, 23% of persons in Jewish households are age 75 and over, compared to 8% nationally and 6% of all Americans (both Jewish and non-Jewish) as of 2007. The 23% age 75 and over is the fifth highest of about 45 comparison Jewish communities. vii Major Themes of the Study The number of children age 0-4 in Jewish households is lower than the number of children age 5-9, which, in turn, is lower than the number of children age 10-14, which, in turn, is lower than the number of persons age 15-19. This suggests a decreasing birth rate for persons in Jewish households in Middlesex over the past 20 years. Yet another indicator of a potential future decrease in Jewish population is that only 16% of adult children (from households in which the respondent is age 50 or over) who have established their own homes live in Middlesex, which is the fourth lowest of about 25 comparison Jewish communities. Thus, planning should occur in an environment that assumes a slowly decreasing Jewish population for the next few years. It may be that the rate of migration into the South, in particular, will increase as baby boomers begin to retire and that this increase will offset the expected decrease in population due to mortality. However, given the uncertainty about the future, the size of the Jewish population should be monitored at regular intervals by repeating the DJN Counting Project as soon as 2012. Welcoming New Jewish Households to the Middlesex Jewish Community and Identifying Existing Unknown Jewish Households Is Important An average of 523 Jewish households in Middlesex moved to Middlesex each year during the past five years. Efforts should be made to identify new households and welcome them to the Middlesex Jewish community. www.JewishMiddlesex.org should be expanded to serve as a place for new residents and persons considering a move to Middlesex to report their name, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address. This information should then be followed up personally by lay volunteers. Information about the community and information from this study should be presented on the website so that potential migrants to Middlesex will be attracted to the community and will be able to select a neighborhood based on its Jewish demographics. 51% of the 24,000 Jewish households in Middlesex are on the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County’s mailing list, which is well below average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities. The low percentage of Jewish households on the Jewish Federation's mailing list affects the ability of the Jewish Federation, other Jewish agencies, local synagogues, and other Jewish organizations to communicate with and serve the Jewish community. Potential additional Jewish households could be identified through the use of a CD-ROM telephone directory and a list of Distinctive Jewish Names (DJNs). While some of these households will turn out not to be Jewish, this can be sorted out on Super Sunday. Although only 23% of households in residence in Middlesex for less than five years donated to the Jewish Federation in the past year, the percentage increases to 46% of households in residence for five or more years. Thus, the potential rewards from finding new Jewish households as quickly as possible are significant. A Significant Geographic Shift in the Location of the Jewish Population Has Occurred According to the Distinctive Jewish Name (DJN) Counting Project, two geographic areas in Middlesex–the North and Highland Park/South Edison–showed little change from 2000- viii Major Themes of the Study 2008 in the percentage of Jewish households living in those areas. The percentage of Jewish households in the North decreased from 10% to 8%, and the percentage in Highland Park/South Edison decreased from 9% to 7%. In contrast, from 2000-2008, the percentage of Jewish households in the Central decreased from 48% to 42%, and the percentage in the South increased from 33% to 43%. The Jewish community should recognize this shift in the Jewish population toward the South and away from the Central and, to a smaller degree, the North and Highland Park/South Edison in the provision of services. Consideration Should Be Given to the Extension of Services and Programs to the South The South contains 43% of the Jewish households in Middlesex, up from 33% in 2000. The number of persons in Jewish households in the South increased from an estimated 16,300 persons in 2000 to 18,500 persons in 2008. In view of this shift in Jewish population, consideration should be given to the extension of services and programs to the South. In examining possible programs, the Jewish community should consider certain demographic factors in the South. The median age of persons in Jewish households is 75 years, with only 6% of persons in Jewish households age 0-17 and 72% age 65 and over. 24% of households have lived at their current address for less than five years, and 16% have lived in Middlesex for less than five years. The median household income in the South is only $61,000. The area is 3% Orthodox, 42% Conservative, 31% Reform, and 24% Just Jewish, and 4% of married couples are intermarried. 48% of households are synagogue members, and 50% reported having donated to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County in the past year. Monroe Township Is the Most Populous Area of Jewish Settlement Monroe Township (zip code 08831), located in the South, is the most populous area of Jewish settlement in Middlesex, containing 40% of the Jewish households. The 40% who live in the top zip code area is the highest of about 50 comparison Jewish communities. The 66% who live in the top three zip code areas (08831, 08816 [East Brunswick], and 08857 [Old Bridge]) is the second highest of about 50 comparison Jewish communities. The existence of these areas of high geographic concentration should be considered in the location of capital facilities and the provision of services to the Jewish community. The Jewish Community Needs to Expand Its Procedures to Track Jewish Households as They Move Within Middlesex The Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County should keep a record of the origin and destination zip codes of known Jewish households who move within Middlesex as address changes are received from the post office. Doing so over a 3-5 year period will yield significant data on intraregional migration at no cost. For the same reason, the Distinctive Jewish Name (DJN) Counting Project should be repeated at regular intervals starting in 2012 to properly monitor the size and geographic distribution of the Jewish population. If significant geographic shifts in the location of the Jewish population occur, the Jewish community can respond with the provision of services and programs in new areas. ix Major Themes of the Study Many Jews in Middlesex Have Significant Attachments to New Jersey and the New York Metropolitan Area 82% of adults in Jewish households in Middlesex were born in New York or New Jersey. 47% of Jewish households have lived in Middlesex for 20 or more years. 35% of households moved to Middlesex from elsewhere in New Jersey and 47% moved from New York. 25% of households in which the respondent is age 50 or over have adult children who have established their own homes in Middlesex and another 43%, within 90 minutes of Middlesex, implying the existence of many multi-generational families spread across the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. 55% of respondents who are employed full time or part time work mostly in Middlesex, while 30% work elsewhere in New Jersey and 13% work in New York. In 18% of households in which the respondent or spouse (if any) attended college, either one or both attended Rutgers-New Brunswick. Finally, 50% of Jewish respondents reported that they feel very much or somewhat part of the Middlesex Jewish community. These results argue for a community-building strategy which recognizes that while many Jews feel a significant attachment to the local Jewish community and its institutions, Middlesex is just a small part of a much larger metropolitan area. Significant Regional Variations Exist among the Geographic Areas: * Issues of Jewish Continuity Are Most Important in the North * Highland Park/South Edison Is an Enclave of Orthodox Jews * The Central Contains Many Children * The South Is a Retirement Community Significant variations exist among Middlesex’s geographic areas in the geographic, demographic, religious, membership, and philanthropy profiles of the Jewish population. Both the geographic and demographic factors discussed below emphasize that the South is a retirement community, and planning for this area should be different than it is for the other geographic areas. Both the religious and membership profiles discussed below emphasize that Jewish continuity is strongest in Highland Park/South Edison and weakest in the North. Geography. 19% of households in the South live in Middlesex for less than ten months of the year, compared to 4%-6% in the other geographic areas. 16% of households in the South moved to Middlesex within the past five years, compared to 9% in the Central, 4% in Highland Park/South Edison, and 1% in the North. 24% of households in the South have lived at their current address for less than five years, compared to 18% in the Central, 13% in Highland Park/South Edison, and 7% in the North. 96% of households in the South own their home, compared to 89% in the Central, 86% in Highland Park/South Edison, and 84% in the North. Only 5% of households in the South will definitely or probably move within the next three years, compared to 7% of households in Highland Park/South Edison, 20% of households in the North, and 17% of households in the Central. Thus, as is typical in retirement communities like the South, most residences are owned and most respondents recognize that this is probably their final residence before the possibility of senior housing. Demography. The percentage of persons age 65 and over in Jewish households is much higher in the South (72%) than in the North (26%), the Central (18%), and Highland Park/South Edison (13%). The percentage of children age 0-17 in Jewish households is x Major Themes of the Study much higher in Highland Park/South Edison (34%) than in the Central (23%), the North (14%), and the South (6%). 64% of children age 0-17 in Jewish households live in the Central, and 66% of persons age 65 and over in Jewish households live in the South. The average household size is 3.35 persons in Highland Park/South Edison, compared to 2.76 persons in the Central, 2.25 persons in the North, and 1.82 persons in the South. 44% of households in Highland Park/South Edison are households with children age 0-17 at home, compared to 32% in the Central, 20% in the North, and 6% in the South. 74% of adults in Jewish households in the South are retired, compared to 28% in the North, 22% in the Central, and 19% in Highland Park/South Edison. Median household income is highest in Highland Park/South Edison ($120,000), followed by the Central ($110,000) and the North ($93,000), and is lowest in the South ($61,000). Religiosity. The percentage of Jewish respondents who are Orthodox is overwhelmingly higher in Highland Park/South Edison (49%) than in the other geographic areas (2%-5%). The percentage of respondents who are Conservative is highest in the South (42%), followed by the Central (30%) and the North (29%), and is lowest in Highland Park/South Edison (24%). The percentage of respondents who are Just Jewish is highest in the North (35%) and the Central (35%) and is lower in the South (24%) and Highland Park/South Edison (18%). The percentage of married couples who are intermarried is much higher in the North (38%) and the Central (20%) than in the South (4%) and Highland Park/South Edison (2%). Membership. Synagogue membership is highest in Highland Park/South Edison (76%) and is much lower in the South (48%), the Central (38%), and the North (35%). Jewish Community Center (JCC) membership in either the JCC of Middlesex County (Middlesex JCC) or another JCC is much higher in the North (15%), where the Middlesex JCC is located, than in the other geographic areas (1%-4%). Philanthropy. The percentage of households who donated to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County in the past year is higher in Highland Park/South Edison (65%) and the South (50%) than in the Central (36%) and the North (28%). Planning should occur with these regional variations in mind. The New Jersey Jewish News should consider special half- to full-page sections that are oriented toward each of the four geographic areas. Middlesex Has a Relatively Low Percentage of Children in Jewish Households Living with Adults Who Are or Were Divorced The divorce rate of 57 divorced adults per 1,000 married adults in Jewish households in Middlesex is the seventh lowest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities. 19% of children age 0-17 in Jewish households live in households in which an adult (not necessarily the parent) is or was divorced, which is the third lowest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities. xi Major Themes of the Study While Significant Levels of Wealth Exist in the Middlesex Jewish Community, Some Households Have Financial Concerns The median household income of $90,000 for Jewish households in Middlesex is about average among about 50 comparison Jewish communities, and the median household income of $141,000 for households with children is the fourth highest of about 45 comparison Jewish communities. The 44% of households earning an annual income of $100,000 and over is the fourth highest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities that have completed studies since 2000 and compares to 35% of all households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) in Middlesex as of 2007 and 20% of all American households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) as of 2007. The $372,000 median value of homes owned by Jewish households is above average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities. Thus, significant levels of wealth exist in the Middlesex Jewish community. However, about 2,900 Jewish households are considered to be low income households (earn an annual household income under $25,000), including 480 households (of whom 413 households are households with elderly persons) who live below the Federal poverty levels. Two (overlapping) population groups with significant percentages of low income households are households age 75 and over (30%) and elderly single households (33%). 19% of households in the South are low income households. In addition, 2% (408 households) of households (all of whom earn an annual income under $25,000) needed financial assistance in the past year, and 11% (1,331 households) of households with adults age 18-64 needed help in finding a job or choosing an occupation in the past year. Thus, the Jewish community should be sensitive to its lower income members, while at the same time recognizing the potential that exists for increased philanthropy from wealthier households. Providing subsidies to low income households for Jewish identity-building programs should be considered. (Note that the Telephone Survey was conducted in June 2008, prior to the significant downturn in the economy during 2008.) Jewish Continuity Issues Are Different in Middlesex Than in Most Other Jewish Communities The issue of Jewish continuity in Middlesex is a complex one. On almost all measures of “Jewishness,” Middlesex is one of the more “Jewish” of the Jewish communities in the country. But, in many ways, this is a bifurcated community in which many households maintain a significant degree of commitment to their Jewish identity while for others Jewish identity is of lesser importance. Among about 30-50 comparison Jewish communities, Middlesex has the second highest percentage of households who always or usually light Chanukah candles (84%) and who have a mezuzah on the front door (83%). It has the third highest percentage of respondents who keep kosher in and out of the home (12%) and the fourth highest percentage of households who keep a kosher home (23%). It has the fourth highest percentage of respondents who refrain from using electricity on the Sabbath (6%). It has the fifth highest percentage of households who always or usually participate in a Passover Seder (83%) and an average percentage of households who always or usually light Sabbath candles (25%). Middlesex has the second lowest percentage of households who always, usually, or sometimes have a Christmas tree in the home (10%). Thus, the level of religious observance in Middlesex is very high. xii Major Themes of the Study The 14% of married couples who are intermarried is the second lowest of about 55 comparison Jewish communities. The 44% current synagogue membership is about average among about 55 comparison Jewish communities, and the 83% lifetime synagogue membership is the fourth highest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities. The 38% Jewish organization membership is the seventh highest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities. The bifurcation in the Middlesex Jewish community is perhaps best illustrated by the following: 25% of Jewish households age 35-49 keep a kosher home and 25% of Jewish respondents age 35-49 attend synagogue services once per month or more, yet 27% of married couples in households age 35-49 are intermarried and 22% of households age 35-49 always, usually, or sometimes have a Christmas tree in the home. While 96% of households are involved Jewishly in some way (either through religious practice, synagogue attendance, membership in the organized Jewish community, or Jewish philanthropy), for many, the extent of involvement in Jewish activity is minimal. Thus, efforts to engage Jewish households in Jewish life should take into account the significant polarization in Jewish behavior that exists in Middlesex. The North Is Different from Other Areas of Middlesex with Respect to Jewish Continuity The issue of Jewish continuity is of greater concern in the North than in the other geographic areas of Middlesex. This is best illustrated by the following comparisons. 11% of households in the North always or usually light Sabbath candles, compared to 74% in Highland Park/South Edison, 25% in the Central, and 20% in the South. 21% of households in the North always, usually, or sometimes have a Christmas tree in the home, compared to 16% in the Central, 4% in the South, and 3% in Highland Park/South Edison. 35% of Jewish respondents in the North never attend synagogue services, compared to 31% in the Central, 20% in the South, and 10% in Highland Park/South Edison and 38% of married couples in the North are intermarried, compared to 20% in the Central, 4% in the South, and 2% in Highland Park/South Edison. Thus, programs designed to enhance Jewish identity should be emphasized in the North. The Intermarriage Rate Is the Second Lowest among the Comparison Jewish Communities, but Is Still a Concern among Younger Couples The 14% of married couples who are intermarried (the couples intermarriage rate) in Middlesex is the second lowest of about 55 comparison Jewish communities. However, as is true in almost all the comparison Jewish communities, the trend in Middlesex is for higher rates of intermarriage among younger couples. The couples intermarriage rate decreases from 26% in households under age 35 and 27% in households age 35-49 to 15% in households age 50-64 and 4% in households age 65 and over. Among about 40-45 comparison Jewish communities, the 26% couples intermarriage rate in households under age 35 is the fourth lowest, the 27% rate in households age 35-49 is the seventh lowest, the 15% rate in households age 50-64 is the fifth lowest, and the 5% rate in households age 65 and over is the fourth lowest. Thus, while the intermarriage rate among younger couples is still lower in Middlesex than in most comparison Jewish communities, intermarriage is still a concern among younger couples. xiii Major Themes of the Study Integrating Intermarried Couples into the Middlesex Jewish Community Is Important While some intermarried couples contribute significantly to the Middlesex Jewish community, intermarriage clearly affects Jewish continuity. Levels of religious practice and other involvement in Jewish activity are particularly low in intermarried households. While 99% of in-married households are involved Jewishly in some way, only 85% of intermarried households are, and while many intermarried couples have at least some Jewish activity present in their household, on individual measures intermarried households are generally much less Jewishly-connected than in-married households. For example, 51% of in-married households are synagogue members, compared to only 16% of intermarried households, and 42% of in-married households are Jewish organization members, compared to only 5% of intermarried households. 51% of in-married households donated to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County in the past year, compared to just 13% of intermarried households. Of Jewish children age 0-17 being raised in married households in Middlesex, 9% are being raised in intermarried households and 4% are being raised in conversionary inmarried households. In intermarried households, only 33% of children are being raised Jewish, which is below average among about 50 comparison Jewish communities. 22% of households with children always, usually, or sometimes have a Christmas tree in the home. Welcoming Jewish children who are being raised in intermarried and conversionary in-married households (and who have non-Jewish grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins) into the Middlesex Jewish community, while at the same time developing programs to encourage Jews to marry other Jews, represents a significant challenge. Only 20% of Jewish respondents in intermarried households feel very much or somewhat part of the Middlesex Jewish community, compared to 57% of respondents in in-married households. The importance of integrating intermarried households into the Middlesex Jewish community and encouraging them to lead a Jewish life, whether for the benefit of the Jewish children being raised in these households or for the potential to influence intermarried households to raise their children Jewishly, should not be minimized. Integrating intermarried households into the Jewish community would lead to greater support for Jewish institutions, increased Jewish philanthropy, and stronger ethnic attachments and identity. Jewish identity initiatives must carefully balance “outreach” to the intermarried population with “inreach” to moderately affiliated Jews. Each synagogue and Jewish organization needs to develop its own policies and programs for grappling with the issue of intermarriage. Programs to engage intermarried households in Jewish life and adult education programs for intermarried couples are probably best offered from the more neutral environment afforded by a Jewish Community Center. xiv Major Themes of the Study A Coordinated Effort Should Be Considered to Increase Synagogue Membership Recognizing the importance of synagogues in promoting increased involvement in Jewish philanthropy, volunteerism, and other positive measures of Jewish identity, a coordinated effort to increase synagogue membership in Middlesex should be considered. The 44% of Jewish households who reported current synagogue membership is about average among about 55 comparison Jewish communities. The 44% current synagogue membership of households under age 35 is the fifth highest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities. Synagogue membership of households age 35-49 (44%) and age 65 and over (49%) is about average and synagogue membership of households age 50-64 (37%) is well below average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities. The 53% current synagogue membership of households with children is about average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities. Yet, the potential still exists for increased synagogue membership across all segments of the community. Current synagogue membership is low among households in residence in Middlesex for 0-4 years (30%), non-elderly couple households (30%), non-elderly single households (14%), Just Jewish households (16%), intermarried households (16%), Jewish organization non-member households (30%), households in which no adult attended Jewish education as a child (28%), households in which no adult visited Israel (29%), households who were not asked to donate to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County in the past year (26%), and households who did not donate to the Jewish Federation in the past year (29%). Attracting unaffiliated groups of Jews to synagogues in Middlesex can best be addressed through a coordinated, community-wide effort. The fact that 21% of synagogue nonmember households plan to join a synagogue in the future suggests that significant success could accrue from such efforts. Income Is a Factor in Synagogue Membership The strong relationship between household income and synagogue membership suggests that cost may be an important reason why more Jewish households in Middlesex are not synagogue members. Synagogue membership increases from 34% of households earning an annual income of $25,000-$50,000 to 40% of households earning $50,000-$100,000, 47% of households earning $100,000-$200,000, and 54% of households earning $200,000 and over. At odds with this trend is the high synagogue membership among households earning under $25,000 (45%). The fact that 88% of households earning under $25,000 are age 65 and over may help to explain this anomaly. Among other things, the Middlesex Jewish community should consider offering discounts for joint synagogue and Jewish Community Center (JCC) membership as a way of encouraging membership in both institutions if and when a new JCC is in operation. Also, synagogues should examine their dues structures to determine financial strategies to increase membership while sustaining services. xv Major Themes of the Study JCC Membership in Middlesex Is Very Low Compared to Other Jewish Communities, and the Jewish Federation Needs to Consider an Effort to Build the Type of Jewish Campus That Exists in Many Jewish Communities, or Alternatively, to Find a Central Location from Which Community-Wide Events Can Be Staged During the past few years, the YMCA moved onto the campus of the Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County in Edison (Middlesex JCC). The YM-YWHA of Raritan Valley (YM-YWHA) in Highland Park ceased to operate except for a preschool, a day camp, and some senior programming. The YM-YWHA recently changed its name to the Campus for Jewish Life and a capital campaign has started for a new campus for this institution at the YM-YWHA day camp site in East Brunswick. (Note that the YM-YWHA is treated as a JCC for comparative purposes by this study.) 2% of Jewish households in Middlesex reported that they are current members of the Middlesex JCC, which is the third lowest of about 50 comparison JCCs. The 2% of households with children who are members of the Middlesex JCC is the second lowest of about 45 comparison JCCs. 7% of respondents reported that someone in their household participated in or attended a program at, or sponsored by, the Middlesex JCC in the past year, which is the second lowest of about 45 comparison JCCs. The 5% of households who participated in or attended a Middlesex JCC program in the past year without being a member of the Middlesex JCC is the fourth lowest of about 45 comparison JCCs and suggests a lack of interest in the JCC among non-member households. The low levels of familiarity with, and the weak perceptions of, the Middlesex JCC and the YM-YWHA may help to explain the low JCC membership levels in Middlesex. The 4% of respondents who are very familiar with the Middlesex JCC is the lowest of about 40 comparison JCCs and the 7% who are very familiar with the YM-YWHA is the fourth lowest. 16% of respondents who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the Middlesex JCC perceive it as excellent, which is the fourth lowest of about 40 comparison JCCs and the lowest of any comparison JCC with a full-service facility. 12% of respondents who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the YM-YWHA perceive it as excellent, which is the second lowest of the comparison JCCs. The 26% fair and poor perceptions of both the Middlesex JCC and YM-YWHA is the second highest of the comparison JCCs. The major reason for not joining the Middlesex JCC most commonly reported by respondents in non-member households is no need for the services offered (40%). The 40% is about average among about 40 comparison JCCs. The 6% of respondents who reported cost as the major reason is the third lowest of the comparison JCCs, indicating that cost does not seem to be a major impediment to membership. But the 29% of respondents who reported distance from home as the major reason for not joining the Middlesex JCC is the fourth highest of the comparison JCCs, emphasizing that the location of the current facility is an issue. The JCC is located in the northern part of zip code 08820 (Edison), which lies in the far northern end of Middlesex, and only 8% of Jewish households in Middlesex live in the North. Membership in the Middlesex JCC is much higher in the North (13%) than in the other geographic areas (1%-3%). If a JCC facility were centrally located and could attract even 10% of all Middlesex Jewish households, membership would likely be sufficient to sustain its activities. xvi Major Themes of the Study 31% of households who are not members of the Middlesex JCC are current members of another fitness facility or health club. The JCC’s market share of the health club and fitness facility market among Jewish households is only 6%, which is the second lowest of about 25 comparison JCCs, suggesting that Jewish households in Middlesex have a preference for other fitness facilities over the Middlesex JCC. Respondents were asked: “If a new YM-YWHA were built in East Brunswick, would you definitely, probably, probably not, or definitely not seriously investigate joining the new Y?” In this question respondents are asked about prospective behavior, and in examining the results it should be noted that some respondents have difficulty projecting their behavior and that unforeseen events may alter projected behavior. However, in the aggregate, the results are indicative of the community’s propensity to investigate joining a new Y. The study specifically did not ask about the likelihood that a household would join a new Y, only the likelihood that the household would seriously investigate joining a new Y. 12% (2,880 households) of households would definitely seriously investigate joining a new Y; 24% (5,856 households), probably; 33%, probably not; 28%, definitely not; and 3% don’t know. In total, 36% (8,736 households) of households would definitely or probably seriously investigate joining a new Y. It should be noted that 15% (3,576 households) of Jewish households were members of the YM-YWHA of Raritan Valley in the past. 51% of past members of the YM-YWHA would definitely or probably seriously investigate joining a new Y located in East Brunswick. According to the JCC Survey, 1,000 Jewish households who live in Middlesex (4%) are members of the Middlesex JCC. Thus, the Telephone Survey implies that local JCC membership is 2 percentage points lower than that suggested by the JCC Survey. This disparity could be attributable to the inclusion in the 2008 data from the JCC Survey of households who are members of the “campus” on which both the Middlesex JCC and YMCA are located. It likely also explains why the Middlesex JCC shows an increase in membership from 300 Jewish households in 2000 to 1,000 Jewish households in 2008. Effective marketing of the Middlesex JCC, or another more centrally located facility, in an attempt to increase membership would need to address five main points: ì a perception on the part of many non-members that they have no need for the services offered, í a preference on the part of Jewish households for other fitness facilities, î the significant distance to the current JCC facility for most households in Middlesex, ï the low levels of familiarity with the Middlesex JCC and the YM-YWHA, and ð low overall perceptions of the Middlesex JCC and YM-YWHA. Moreover, the community needs to consider the best model to deliver community-wide events and JCC-type activities. The current model is clearly not as effective as the models used in other Jewish communities. Only one JCC is needed, although it might offer activities from multiple locations that serve different geographic areas. A merger of the Middlesex JCC and the new Campus for Jewish Life should be explored. The community should then consider a location in the Central, with a branch in the North and another in the South. xvii Major Themes of the Study JCCs and Synagogues Are Not Competing Institutions Across American Jewish communities, it has been claimed that significant numbers of Jewish households join a Jewish Community Center (JCC) instead of a synagogue. Yet, the results for most of the comparison Jewish communities show that such is not the case. (Since only 3% of households in Middlesex are JCC members, the Middlesex results are not useful for this discussion.) In 32 of about 45 comparison JCCs, the percentage of Jewish households who are JCC members but are not synagogue members is 5% or less, and in only one community is the percentage as high as 10%. In Middlesex, 55% of households are neither synagogue nor JCC members. As plans go forward with a new model for offering community-wide events and JCC-type activities, synagogues and JCCs should recognize that the services they offer more often complement one another than compete. Synagogues and JCCs should coordinate efforts to encourage membership in both institutions, perhaps by offering discounts for joint synagogue and JCC membership. Multiple Entry Points to the Middlesex Jewish Community Need to Be Marketed The organized Jewish community in Middlesex needs to market the many different ways to “be Jewish” to those who are unaffiliated or only marginally involved. Most Jews who are unaffiliated or marginally involved view Judaism only in terms of synagogue life and religious practice. The ethnic, historical, social, and cultural connections to Judaism should also be emphasized. Adult Jewish education programs and classes, already attended by 28% of Jewish respondents in Middlesex in the past year, as well as Jewish cultural and social events and programs, may attract some unaffiliated Jews. 37% of Jewish respondents attended a theater, music, or dance program in the past year because it had Jewish content, and such cultural activities may be attractive to other Jews. Emphasis on tikkun olam and social action programs may attract others, and Israel-oriented programming may attract still others. Jewish organizations other than synagogues and Jewish Community Centers (JCCs), such as Hadassah and B’nai B’rith, often provide relatively inexpensive ways for Jews to become involved in Jewish life. In Middlesex, 38% of Jewish households reported current membership in a Jewish organization (other than a synagogue or JCC), which is the seventh highest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities. The organized Jewish community should recognize these types of organizations as good vehicles for involving Jews with specific interests for whom cost of membership is an obstacle and encourage participation in them. Attendance in Formal Jewish Education Programs as Children Shows Strong Positive Correlations with Jewish Behavior as Adults This study confirms the results of many other Jewish community studies that show strong positive correlations between formal Jewish education (Jewish day school and supplemental school) as children and Jewish behavior as adults, although we cannot attribute cause and effect to these relationships. In general, on most measures of “Jewishness” (such as religious practice, synagogue attendance, membership in the organized Jewish community, and Jewish philanthropy and volunteerism), formal Jewish xviii Major Themes of the Study education as children is positively correlated with adult Jewish behavior. For example, 73% of Jewish households in Middlesex in which an adult attended a Jewish day school as a child and 43% of households in which an adult attended a supplemental school as a child are synagogue members, compared to 28% of households in which no adult attended formal Jewish education as a child. As another example, 94% of married households in which an adult attended a Jewish day school as a child and 84% of married households in which an adult attended a supplemental school as a child are in-married, compared to 63% of married households in which no adult attended formal Jewish education as a child. This argues that to build for the future and help preserve Jewish identity and continuity, the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County should continue to support Jewish day schools and should consider extending additional support to supplemental schools, which, according to the Jewish Institutions Survey, are attended by the vast majority of Middlesex's Jewish children age 5-12 who are involved in formal Jewish education. 66% of respondents in households who donated $100 and over to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, Other Jewish Federations, or Other Jewish Charities in the past year consider providing Jewish education for children to be a very important motivation in their decision to donate to a Jewish organization, which is about average among about 20 comparison Jewish communities. Donors need to be made aware of the results of this and other Jewish community studies that show the strong correlation between formal Jewish education as children and Jewish behavior as adults in an effort to increase philanthropic support for providing Jewish education for children. Attendance in Informal Jewish Education Programs as Children Shows Strong Positive Correlations with Jewish Behavior as Adults This study confirms the results of many other Jewish community studies that show strong positive correlations between informal Jewish education (specifically Jewish sleep away camp, Jewish teenage youth group, and college Hillel/Chabad) as children/teenagers and Jewish behavior as adults, although we cannot attribute cause and effect to these relationships. In general, on most measures of “Jewishness” (such as religious practice, synagogue attendance, membership in the organized Jewish community, and Jewish philanthropy and volunteerism), informal Jewish education as children is positively correlated with adult Jewish behavior. For example, 94% of married Jewish households in Middlesex in which an adult participated in Hillel/Chabad while in college (excluding the High Holidays) are in-married, compared to 78% of married households in which no adult participated in Hillel/Chabad while in college. This argues that to build for the future and to preserve Jewish identity and continuity, the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County should support programs that provide assistance to these types of informal Jewish education. Adult Jewish Education Programs Should Be Expanded, Particularly for Women The 74% of born or raised Jewish adults in Middlesex who received some formal Jewish education as children is about average among about 40 comparison Jewish communities. However, the difference in Jewish education levels between males and females in this community is very wide: 89% of born or raised Jewish adult males received some formal Jewish education as children, compared to only 61% of born or raised Jewish adult xix Major Themes of the Study females. The difference exists in every age group and widens at age 50 and over. In the past year, 29% of female respondents attended an adult Jewish education program or class, compared to 24% of male respondents. This suggests that adult Jewish education programs or classes directed at women may have a potentially larger market. Increasing Jewish Day School Enrollment Means Competing with the Public Schools, Not Non-Jewish Private Schools Unlike in many Jewish communities, but as seen in Bergen and Monmouth, the major competition for the Jewish day schools in Middlesex are the public schools, not the nonJewish private schools. 86% of non-Orthodox Jewish children age 5-17 attend a public school, 13% attend a Jewish day school, and 1% attend a non-Jewish private school. Thus, 91% of non-Orthodox Jewish children age 5-17 who go to private school attend a Jewish day school. This means that the major competition for a good education in Middlesex is the free public school system. Respondents in households with Jewish children age 0-17 (none of whom currently attend a Jewish day school, have attended in the past, or will definitely attend in the future) were asked the major reasons they did not, will not, or might not send their Jewish children to a Jewish day school. 42% of respondents reported tuition cost as a major reason, and 36% reported a belief in public schools. This makes the goal of increasing Jewish day school enrollment in Middlesex more difficult to achieve. The Levels of Familiarity with, and the Perceptions of, the Jewish Agencies and Jewish Day Schools in Middlesex Are Low Compared to other Jewish communities, a significant portion of the Middlesex Jewish community is not at all familiar with the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County and other Jewish agencies, ranging from the 45% of respondents who are not at all familiar with the Jewish Federation to the 76% who are not at all familiar with the Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County (Middlesex JCC). Compared to about 35 comparison Jewish communities, the 15% of respondents who are very familiar with the Jewish Federation is below average and the 8% who are very familiar with the Jewish Family and Vocational Service (JFVS) is the fifth lowest. Compared to about 40 comparison JCCs, the 7% of respondents who are very familiar with the YMYWHA of Raritan Valley (YM-YWHA) is the fourth lowest and the 4% who are very familiar with the Middlesex JCC is the lowest. Compared to about 45 comparison Jewish day schools, the 23% of respondents in households with Jewish children age 0-17 who are very familiar with the Solomon Schechter Day School of Raritan Valley (Schechter) and the 22% who are very familiar with the Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva (RPRY) are about average, while the 13% who are very familiar with the Moshe Aaron Yeshiva High School (MAYHS) is well below average. The majority (74%-87%) of respondents who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the Jewish Federation and other Jewish agencies (and were able to provide a perception) have positive (excellent and good) perceptions of them. However, compared to other Jewish communities, the Jewish Federation and other Jewish agencies are not as well perceived by the Middlesex Jewish community. xx Major Themes of the Study Of respondents who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with each agency, the 23% who perceive the Jewish Federation as excellent is below average and the 24% who perceive the JFVS as excellent is the third lowest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities. The 12% of respondents who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the YM-YWHA and perceive it as excellent is the second lowest of about 40 comparison JCCs, and the 16% who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the Middlesex JCC and perceive it as excellent is the fourth lowest. Of respondents in households with Jewish children age 0-17 who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with each Jewish day school, the 17% who perceive Schechter as excellent is the fifth lowest of about 40 comparison Jewish day schools, the 18% who perceive RPRY as excellent is the seventh lowest, and the 11% who perceive MAYHS as excellent is the lowest. The Jewish Federation should consider a coordinated marketing campaign to enhance the visibility and improve the perception of the Jewish Federation and other Jewish agencies, including the Jewish day schools, which could lead to increased usage of agency services, higher Jewish day school enrollment, and greater participation in the Annual Campaign. A marketing campaign should take advantage of the significant geographic clustering of the Jewish population, with 66% of Jewish households residing in just three zip codes areas. The use of billboards on heavily traveled routes should be considered along with targeted mailings to all households in zip codes areas with a high number of Jewish households. A Relatively High Percentage of Middlesex’s Jewish Population Is Health Limited 21% (5,016 households) of Jewish households in Middlesex contain an adult member or a Jewish or part Jewish child who has a physical, mental, or other health condition that has lasted for six months or more and limits or prevents employment, educational opportunities, or daily activities. Included in the 21% are 7% (1,752 households) of households in which the member needs daily assistance as a result of this condition. The 21% is the fourth highest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities. 27% of elderly couple households and 28% of elderly single households are health limited. Thus, health issues are an important concern in the Middlesex Jewish community, particularly in the South, where 26% of households contain a health-limited member, and among elderly households. The Needs of the Elderly Must Remain a Focus Middlesex is a Jewish community with a significant number of retirees, and elderly needs must continue to be a focus of service provision. Compared to about 50 comparison Jewish communities, the 36% of persons age 65 and over in Jewish households is the seventh highest and the 20,319 persons age 65 and over in Jewish households is well above average. The 23% of persons age 75 and over in Jewish households is the fifth highest of about 45 comparison Jewish communities. 27% of elderly couple households and 28% of elderly single households are health limited. As the population age 75 and over increases, a higher demand for elderly social services can be expected. Many elderly households contain single persons (mostly female) who are widowed. 24% of persons age 65 and over in Jewish households (29% of persons age 75 and over) live alone. Elderly xxi Major Themes of the Study persons living alone are generally more likely to need social services than other households. Services for the Elderly Should Be Concentrated in the South 66% of persons age 65 and over in Jewish households in Middlesex live in the South; 24%, in the Central; 6%, in the North; and 4%, in Highland Park/South Edison. 72% of persons in Jewish households in the South are age 65 and over, compared to 26% in the North, 18% in the Central, and 13% in Highland Park/South Edison. The median age of persons in Jewish households in the South is 75 years. In addition, 26% of households in the South contain a health-limited member, compared to 11%-18% in the other geographic areas. Thus, services for the elderly should be concentrated in the South. In-Home Health Care and Senior Transportation Are the Two Most Needed Social Services among the Elderly, but Most Elderly Needs Are Being Met 14% of Jewish households with elderly persons in Middlesex needed in-home health care in the past year, and 13% needed senior transportation. 3%-4% of households with elderly persons needed other social services for the elderly (home-delivered meals, adult day care, nursing home care, and assisted living facility) in the past year. No more than 1% of households with elderly persons reported unmet needs for any of the six elderly services queried. It should be noted, however, that virtually all of the needs for elderly services, with the exception of home-delivered meals, are being met outside the Jewish community. For example, 12% of households with elderly persons received senior transportation in the past year; 11% received it from non-Jewish sources and 1% received it from Jewish sources. The Middlesex Jewish community should address the need for the provision of in-home health care and senior transportation, but, given limited resources, should balance these needs (which are mostly being met) with needs in other areas. The Need for Help in Coordinating Services for an Elderly or Disabled Person Is Particularly High in Middlesex Among about 20 comparison Jewish communities, Middlesex has the second highest percentage of households (17%) who needed help in coordinating services for an elderly or disabled person in the past year. This is probably due, in large part, to the high percentage of elderly persons in Jewish households (36%) in the community and the high percentage of elderly couple (27%) and elderly single (28%) households containing a health-limited member. Additionally, 24% of households with children in which the respondent is age 40 or over are caregiver households, which is the second highest of about 20 comparison Jewish communities. The adults in these households, who have been called the sandwich generation, have the responsibility to care for both minor children at home and elderly relatives who live outside their home and are more likely to need help in coordinating services for an elderly person. The Jewish Family and Vocational Service should consider expanding services in this area to better meet the needs of the community. xxii Major Themes of the Study The Jewish Community Should Look to Partner with Other Public and Private Entities in Providing Services to the Elderly 21% of persons age 65 and over (27% of persons age 75 and over) in Middlesex live in Jewish households. Agencies such as the United Way, local hospitals, and other social service providers should be made aware of this so that arrangements can be made whereby the Jewish community can partner with such social service providers to incorporate Jewish content into otherwise secular programs and to provide volunteers from the Jewish community to other social service agencies. The Connection Between the Middlesex Jewish Community and Israel Is One of the Strongest of Any Jewish Community Almost 400 adults in Jewish households in Middlesex were born in Israel. The 54% of Jewish households in which a member visited Israel is well above average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities. The 18% of households with Jewish children age 0-17 who have sent a Jewish child on a trip to Israel is the fifth highest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities. The 58% of Jewish respondents who are extremely or very emotionally attached to Israel is the third highest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities. Of respondents in Jewish households who donated $100 and over to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, Other Jewish Federations, or Other Jewish Charities in the past year, the 67% who consider supporting the people of Israel and the 41% who consider supporting educational trips to Israel to be very important motivations in their decision to donate to a Jewish organization are both the third highest of about 20 comparison Jewish communities. The 24% of respondents in households who donated $100 and over to the Jewish Federation in the past year who would donate more to the Jewish Federation if more of the money went to needs in Israel and overseas is above average among about 20 comparison Jewish communities. Thus, the significant connection to Israel should be considered in programming for the Jewish community and in fund raising efforts. Israel programming and emphasis on the role of the Jewish Federation in support of Israel should be well received in Middlesex. Organized Programs to Israel Should Continue to Be Supported On most measures of “Jewishness” (such as religious practice, synagogue attendance, membership in the organized Jewish community, and Jewish philanthropy and volunteerism), this study shows a significant positive correlation with visits to Israel, particularly if the Israel trip was sponsored by a Jewish organization, although we cannot attribute cause and effect to these relationships. For example, 24% of households in Middlesex in which an adult visited Israel on a Jewish trip and 17% of households in which an adult visited Israel on a general trip donated $100 and over to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County in the past year, compared to 6% of households in which no adult visited Israel. Likewise, trips to Israel are positively correlated with emotional attachment to Israel. 77% of Jewish respondents in households in which an adult visited Israel are extremely or very emotionally attached to Israel, compared to only 37% of respondents in households in xxiii Major Themes of the Study which no adult visited Israel. 41% of households who donated $100 and over to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, Other Jewish Federations, or Other Jewish Charities in the past year consider supporting educational trips to Israel to be a very important motivation in their decision to donate to a Jewish organization, which is the third highest of about 20 comparison Jewish communities. Trips to Israel, particularly for teenagers and young adults, should continue to be promoted and supported by the organized Jewish community in order to capitalize on the transforming experience that a trip to Israel can offer. Trips to Israel are shown to foster and enhance emotional attachment to Israel. Organized programs should be considered that bring together emotionally attached participants who have visited Israel in the past with less involved Jews. Anti-Semitism Is Not the Issue It Once Was, but Is Still a Concern Personal experience with anti-Semitism and perceptions of anti-Semitism in Middlesex are relatively low. 8% of Jewish respondents in Middlesex personally experienced antiSemitism in the local community in the past year. The 8% is the second lowest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities. 13% of households with Jewish children age 6-17 reported that a child experienced anti-Semitism in the local community (mainly at school) in the past year. The 13% is about average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities. Despite the community's relatively low level of experience with anti-Semitism locally in the past year, 31% of respondents perceive that a great deal or moderate amount of anti-Semitism exists in Middlesex. The 31% is the fifth lowest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities. 67% of respondents in households who donated $100 and over to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, Other Jewish Federations, or Other Jewish Charities in the past year consider combating anti-Semitism to be a very important motivation to donate to a Jewish organization, which is about average among about 20 comparison Jewish communities. However, of eight philanthropic motivations queried in Middlesex, the 67% of respondents who consider combating anti-Semitism to be very important is tied for the highest percentage. Perhaps this is due to the recent reports of increasing anti-Semitism around the world. Both the Internet and the New Jersey Jewish News Should Be Used to Communicate with the Jewish Community The Internet has become an important and effective medium for communication and education in the Jewish community. The 48% of Jewish respondents in Middlesex who used the Internet for Jewish-related information in the past year is above average among about 25 comparison Jewish communities. Included in the 48% are 17% of respondents who used the Internet for information about the Middlesex Jewish community, which is below average among about 15 comparison Jewish communities. Included in the 17% are 8% of respondents who visited the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County web site, which is about average among about 15 comparison Jewish communities. Younger respondents were more likely to use the Internet for Jewish-related information in the past year than were older respondents: usage decreases from 66% of respondents under age 50 to 61% of respondents age 50-64, 45% of respondents age 65-74, and 26% of respondents age 75 and over. xxiv Major Themes of the Study The New Jersey Jewish News is always or usually read by 37% of respondents, which is about average among about 25 comparison Jewish communities. Readership increases significantly with age, from 8% of respondents under age 35 to 20% of respondents age 35-49, 32% of respondents age 50-64, 42% of respondents age 65-74, and 51% of respondents age 75 and over. Thus, communicating with younger residents is more effective through the Internet, while communicating with older residents is more effective via the Jewish newspaper. Efforts Are Needed to Increase the Visibility of the Jewish Federation and to Involve More People in the Annual Campaign Reflecting the large number of Jewish households that are unknown to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, only 51% of the 24,000 Jewish households in Middlesex are on the Jewish Federation’s mailing list. The 51% is well below average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities. 47% of households reported that they were not asked to donate to the Jewish Federation in the past year, which is about average among about 40 comparison Jewish communities. 46% of households who were not asked to donate to the Jewish Federation in the past year did donate to Other Jewish Charities (Jewish Charities other than Jewish Federations), and 72% donated to Non-Jewish charities. Of households asked to donate, the 17% who did not donate is about average among the comparison Jewish communities. Yet, 57% of households who declined to donate to the Jewish Federation when asked in the past year did donate to Other Jewish Charities, and 85% donated to Non-Jewish Charities. In addition, 15% of respondents in Jewish households in Middlesex are very familiar, 40% are somewhat familiar, and 45% are not at all familiar with the Jewish Federation. The 15% very familiar is below average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities, and the 45% not at all familiar is above average. The 23% of respondents (very familiar or somewhat familiar with the Jewish Federation) who perceive the Jewish Federation as excellent is below average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities. Thus, the overall level of familiarity with, and perceptions of, the Jewish Federation are low. Efforts should be made to reach Jewish households who are not on the Jewish Federation’s mailing list and to raise the profile of the Jewish Federation. Strategies should be developed to increase the involvement of those segments of the population who are currently under represented in the Annual Campaign, including, among others, households in the North, households in residence in Middlesex for 0-4 years, households with children and non-elderly single households, Just Jewish households, and intermarried households. In the South, large numbers of Jews age 65 and over reside in elderly retirement communities. The Jewish Federation should investigate the methods for soliciting participation in the Annual Campaign that are used in such residences by Jewish Federations in Florida. xxv Major Themes of the Study Young People Are Much Less Likely to Be Involved in Jewish Philanthropic Giving in Middlesex As in most Jewish communities, a disproportionate share of donations to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County Annual Campaign derive from elderly households. While 51% of all Jewish households in Middlesex are age 65 and over, 66% of households who donated to the Jewish Federation in the past year are age 65 and over. While 21% of all Jewish households in Middlesex are under age 50, only 12% of households who donated to the Jewish Federation in the past year are under age 50. In total, 28% of households under age 35 and 24% of households age 35-49 donated to the Jewish Federation in the past year, compared to 36% of households age 50-64, 47% of households age 65-74, and 60% of households age 75 and over. 69% of households under age 35 and 67% of households age 35-49 were not asked to donate, compared to only 52% of households age 50-64 and 37% of households age 65 and over. In addition, 63% of respondents under age 35 and 55% of respondents age 35-49 in Jewish households in Middlesex are not at all familiar with the Jewish Federation, compared to 44% of respondents age 50-64 and 40% of respondents age 65 and over. The problem of lower philanthropic giving by the young extends to donations to all Jewish charities (Jewish Federations and Other Jewish Charities). While 63% of non-elderly households in Middlesex donated to Jewish charities in the past year, 82% of elderly households donated. Moreover, like in other Jewish communities, charitable giving to Non-Jewish Charities takes preference to giving to Jewish Charities among younger households in Middlesex. While 62% of Jewish households age 35-49 donated to Jewish Charities in the past year, 81% donated to Non-Jewish Charities. While 63% of households age 50-64 donated to Jewish Charities in the past year, 80% donated to non-Jewish charities. By way of contrast, 82% of households age 65 and over donated to Jewish charities in the past year, and 81% donated to non-Jewish charities. Thus, while younger households do donate to charities, many apparently do not give preference to Jewish Charities. Strategies should be developed to attract more young people to Jewish philanthropic giving. Significant Emphasis on Endowment Giving Is Warranted in Middlesex Since philanthropic giving among older Jews in Middlesex is high, and 55% of Jewish respondents age 65 and over feel very much or somewhat part of the Middlesex Jewish community, opportunities exist for significantly increasing endowment giving. 82% of Jewish households age 65 and over in Middlesex donated to Jewish charities in the past year. 15% of households age 65 and over donated $100 and over to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County in the past year, and 30% donated $100 and over to Other Jewish Charities (Jewish charities other than Jewish Federations). 2% of households age 65 and over donated $1,000 and over to the Jewish Federation in the past year, and 4% donated $1,000 and over to Other Jewish Charities. Importantly, 21% of households age 65 and over earn an annual income of $100,000 and over. xxvi Major Themes of the Study 9% of respondents age 65 and over in Middlesex do not have wills; 84% have wills that contain no charitable provisions; 5% have wills that contain provisions for Jewish charities; and 2% have wills that contain provisions for Non-Jewish Charities only. The Jewish Federation should capitalize on the proclivity of the elderly to donate to Jewish charities. Emphasis should be placed on enhancing programs which communicate the opportunities for, and advantages of, endowment giving. The Jewish Federation Should Encourage Volunteerism in the Jewish Community 26% of Jewish respondents in Middlesex volunteered for Jewish organizations in the past year, and 29% volunteered for non-Jewish organizations. Among about 25 comparison Jewish communities, the 26% who volunteered for Jewish organizations is about average, while the 29% who volunteered for non-Jewish organizations is the third lowest. 17% of respondents volunteered for non-Jewish organizations in the past year but not for Jewish organizations. Among about 50 comparison Jewish communities, Middlesex has the seventh highest percentage of adults in Jewish households who are retired (41%). These retirees can serve as a significant resource to the volunteer community. The Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County should better promote volunteer opportunities, particularly within the Jewish community. The Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation Should Be Oriented Toward the Motivations for Giving Identified by the Study Respondents in Jewish households in Middlesex who donated $100 and over to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, Other Jewish Federations, or Other Jewish Charities in the past year were asked how important each of eight motivations is in their decision to donate to a Jewish organization. While all the motivations queried are at least somewhat important to the vast majority of respondents, clear distinctions do exist in the levels of importance respondents ascribe to each. 66%-67% of respondents reported that providing social services for the Jewish elderly, supporting the people of Israel, combating anti-Semitism, and providing Jewish education for children are very important motivations to donate to a Jewish organization. 54% of respondents reported that helping Jews overseas who are in distress is a very important motivation; 46%, providing individual and family counseling for Jews; 41%, supporting educational trips to Israel; and 38%, providing social, recreational, and cultural activities for Jews. 24% of respondents in households who donated $100 and over to the Jewish Federation in the past year reported that they would increase their donations if more of the money went to Israel and overseas, and 33% would increase their donations if more of the money went to local needs. Unlike in most comparison Jewish communities, in Middlesex the percentage of respondents who would increase their donations if more of the money went to local needs is not much higher than the percentage who would increase their donations if more of the money went to needs in Israel and overseas. Campaign publicity must carefully balance these contrasting priorities. 35% of respondents in households who donated $100 and over to the Jewish Federation in the past year would increase their donations if they were asked by a close friend; 27%, if they had more say over how the money was spent; 22%, if they were asked in person; and only 1%, if they received more recognition for the donation. xxvii Major Themes of the Study Marketing efforts that are oriented toward the community’s motivations for giving and that address the circumstances under which donors might increase their level of giving may lead to a more successful campaign. Avenues for Cooperation with Other New Jersey Jewish Federations Should Be Explored New Jersey has more Jewish Federations than any other state. Jewish community studies have been completed in Bergen, Monmouth, Atlantic and Cape May, and MetroWest (Essex, Morris, Sussex, and northern Union Counties). Comparisons between Middlesex and the other New Jersey communities shown in the Main Report (with the exception of MetroWest, whose study does not readily facilitate comparisons in many cases) suggest certain commonalities among the communities. A few examples follow. First, Middlesex, like Bergen, MetroWest, and Monmouth, operates in an environment which lies in the “shadow” of New York City. The Jewish community is not watching local television channels and is much less likely to read the local secular newspapers. Thus, local media cannot be utilized to reach the Jewish population to the same extent that it can in communities that are differently situated. Second, Middlesex, like Bergen and Monmouth, has a significant Orthodox population. Third, Middlesex, like Atlantic and Cape May, has a significant retirement population. Fourth, Middlesex, like Monmouth and Bergen, has high levels of religious observance, but low levels of familiarity with local Jewish institutions. The Jewish population of Middlesex has significant attachments to other parts of New Jersey, as discussed in an earlier theme, with respect to place of birth, location of previous residence, location of adult children, and place of employment. Discussions with other New Jersey Jewish Federations with regard to Annual Campaign marketing efforts, program initiatives, coordinating speakers and films at book fairs and film festivals etc. may well prove fruitful. Unlike in Many Other Jewish Communities, the Jewish Federation Is Not the Major Jewish Fund Raising Organization Adjusted for inflation, the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County Annual Campaign decreased by $778,820 (24%) since 2000. Adjusted for inflation, the average donation per Jewish household in the community decreased by $14 (12%), from $116 in 2000 to $102 in 2008. The $102 average donation per Jewish household is the sixth lowest of about 50 comparison Jewish communities. The 44% of households who donated to the Jewish Federation in the past year is about average among about 50 comparison Jewish communities while the 59% of households who donated to Other Jewish Charities in the past year, is the fifth highest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities. Of all charitable dollars donated by Jewish households in Middlesex in the past year, only 15% were donated to the Jewish Federation (5% were donated to Other Jewish Federations; 49%, to Other Jewish Charities; and 31%, to Non-Jewish Charities). The 15% of charitable dollars donated to the Jewish Federation in the past year is the seventh lowest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities. In contrast, the 49% of all charitable dollars donated to Other Jewish Charities in the past year is the second highest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities. xxviii Major Themes of the Study Of all charitable dollars donated by Jewish households to Any Jewish Charity in the past year, 22% were donated to the Jewish Federation; 7%, to Other Jewish Federations; and 71%, to Other Jewish Charities. The 22% donated to the Jewish Federation is the sixth lowest of the comparison Jewish communities. Income levels and most measures of Jewish identity are very high in Middlesex. Thus, significant resources exist in the Jewish community among people who have significant Jewish commitment. The challenge is to educate potential donors about the Jewish Federation and convince them that the Jewish Federation and other Jewish agencies are important organizations deserving of their philanthropic support. xxix Major Themes of the Study xxx Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County Colonia Middlesex South Plainfield Carteret Edison Iselin South Bound Brook Piscataway Avenel Metuchen Port Reading Sewaren Woodbridge Fords Edison Somerset Keasbey Highland Park Perth Amboy Edison New Brunswick Laurence Harbor Sayreville North Brunswick Milltown Parlin South River Cliffwood East Brunswick Kendall Park Matawan Old Bridge Dayton Monmouth Junction Helmetta Spotswood Monroe Township Spacer Plainsboro Cranbury Spacer Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County 07067 08846 07008 08820 07080 08830 08880 07064 07095 08854 08840 07077 08863 08861 08817 08832 08904 08873 07001 08837 08901 08879 08872 08902 08850 08859 08882 07721 08816 08824 07747 08857 08852 08810 08828 08884 08831 Spacer 08536 08512 Spacer Distribution of Jewish Households Each Dot Represents 10 Jewish Households (Dots are Randomly Placed within Each Zip Code) Spacer Spacer Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County 07067 08846 07080 07001 07008 08820 North 08830 07095 08854 08840 07064 07077 08863 Highland Park/South Edison 08817 08861 08832 08904 08837 08901 08879 08872 08902 08850 08859 08882 07721 08816 34023 Central 08824 08857 08852 08810 08828 08884 08831 Spacer 08536 08512 South 07747 Spacer Major Findings Size and Geographic Distribution of the Jewish Population 1. 56,600 persons live in 24,000 Jewish households in Middlesex, of whom 52,000 persons (92%) are Jewish. 2. 4,500 persons live in 2,000 Jewish households in the North. 81% of persons in Jewish households are Jewish. Thus, there are 3,600 Jews in the North. 3. 5,700 persons live in 1,700 Jewish households in Highland Park/South Edison. 100% of persons in Jewish households are Jewish. Thus, there are 5,700 Jews in Highland Park/South Edison. 4. 27,900 persons live in 10,100 Jewish households in the Central. 89% of persons in Jewish households are Jewish. Thus, there are 24,800 Jews in the Central. 5. 18,500 persons live in 10,200 Jewish households in the South. 97% of persons in Jewish households are Jewish. Thus, there are 17,900 Jews in the South. 6. 48% of Jews live in the Central; 34%, in the South; 11% in Highland Park/South Edison; and 7%, in the North. 7. 9% of households in Middlesex are Jewish households. 8. In addition to the Jewish population in Middlesex, about 1,450 Jewish households live in zip code 08873 (Somerset in Somerset County), which is part of the service area of the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County. 9. Middlesex County has the third largest Jewish population in New Jersey. 10. 40% of Jewish households live in one zip code area (08831) and 66% live in one of three zip code areas (08831, 08816, and 08857). Changes in Size and Geographic Distribution of the Jewish Population 11. In 2000, 65,800 persons lived in 27,900 Jewish households in Middlesex. 12. The number of persons in Jewish households decreased from 65,800 persons in 2000 to 56,600 persons in 2008. 13. The geographic distribution of Jewish households in Middlesex changed from 2000-2008. The percentage of households in the South increased from 33% to 43% while the percentage in the Central decreased from 48% to 42%. No significant change is seen in the North and Highland Park/South Edison. 14. The number of Jewish households in zip code 08873 increased from about 1,200 households in 2000 to 1,450 households in 2008. Geographic Profile 15. 51% of households are on the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County mailing list. 16. 16% of adults in Jewish households were locally born (born in Middlesex). 17. 10% (4,757 adults) of adults in Jewish households were foreign born. 18. 7% (1,656 households) of households are from the Former Soviet Union. 19. 10% of households are part-year households (live in Middlesex for less than ten months of the year). 20. 91% of households own their home. 21. 25% of households in which the respondent is age 50 or over have at least one adult child who has established his/her own home in Middlesex; 43% have adult children who have established their own homes outside Middlesex but within 90 minutes; and 15% have adult children who have established their own homes further than 90 minutes from Middlesex. 1 Major Findings 22. 55% of respondents who are employed full time or part time work mostly in Middlesex; 30%, elsewhere in New Jersey; 13%, in New York; and 1%, elsewhere in the United States. 23. In 18% (3,584 households) of households in which the respondent or spouse (if any) attended college, either one or both attended Rutgers-New Brunswick. Migration 24. 94% of households in Middlesex moved to Middlesex from the Northeast (including 7% who have always lived in Middlesex; 35% who moved from elsewhere in New Jersey; 47%, from New York; 2%, from Pennsylvania; and 2%, from Massachusetts); 3%, from the South; 1%, from the Midwest; 1%, from the West; and 1%, from foreign locations. 25. 11% of households have lived in Middlesex for 0-4 years; 47%, for 20 or more years. 26. An average of 523 households in Middlesex moved to Middlesex each year during the past five years (the in-migration rate). An average of between 232 and 520 households will move out of Middlesex each year within the next three years (the out-migration rate). Assuming that the current rate of in-migration continues for the next few years, these data suggest that the number of Jewish households in Middlesex will probably not change significantly during the next few years as a result of migration into and out of Middlesex. 27. 19% of households have lived at their current address for 0-4 years; 27%, for 20 or more years. Age Distribution 28. 18% (9,961 children) of persons in Jewish households are age 0-17, of whom 84% (8,372 children) are being raised Jewish. 29. 36% (20,319 persons) of persons in Jewish households are age 65 and over. 30. 21% of persons age 65 and over in Middlesex live in Jewish households as of 2007. 31. 23% (12,791 persons) of persons in Jewish households are age 75 and over. 32. The median age of persons in Jewish households is 54.9 years. Household Structure 33. The average household size is 2.36 persons. 34. 26% of households contain one person; 42%, two persons; 12%, three persons; and 19%, four or more persons. 35. 21% of households are households with children age 0-17 at home; 9%, households with only adult children age 18-29 at home; 39%, married households with no children at home; 26%, single person households; and 5%, other household structures. 36. 33% (2,265 children) of children age 0-12 in Jewish households live in households with working parents (households in which both parents, or the parent in a single parent household, are employed full time). 37. 6% (558 children) of children age 0-17 in Jewish households live in single parent households. 38. 19% (1,873 children) of children age 0-17 in Jewish households live in households in which an adult is or was divorced. 39. 24% (4,872 persons) of persons age 65 and over in Jewish households live alone. 40. 29% (3,672 persons) of persons age 75 and over in Jewish households live alone. 2 Major Findings Marital Status, Level of Secular Education, and Employment Status 41. 70% of adults in Jewish households are currently married; 14%, single, never married; 4%, currently divorced; and 12%, currently widowed. 42. 30% (13,001 adults) of Jewish adults are currently single, of whom 34% are under age 35. 43. 66% of adults age 25 and over in Jewish households have a four-year college degree or higher, including 28% with a graduate degree. 44. 37% of adults in Jewish households are employed full time; 9%, employed part time; 2%, unemployed at the time of the survey; 41%, retired; 3%, homemaker; 7%, student; and 1%, disabled. Housing Value and Household Income 45. The median value of homes owned by Jewish households is $372,000. 46. The 2007 median household income is $90,000. 47. 44% of households earn an annual income of $100,000 and over. 48. 12% (2,904 households) of households are low income households (earned under $25,000 in 2007). 49. 2% (480 households) of households reported a household income that was below the Federal poverty levels. Jewish Identification 50. 7% of Jewish respondents identify as Orthodox; 35%, Conservative; 0%, Reconstructionist; 29%, Reform; and 29%, Just Jewish. Religious Practices 51. 83% of households have a mezuzah on the front door. 52. 83% of households always or usually participate in a Passover Seder. 53. 84% of households always or usually light Chanukah candles. 54. 25% of households always or usually light Sabbath candles. 55. 23% of households keep a kosher home; 12% of respondents keep kosher in and out of the home. 56. 6% of respondents refrain from using electricity on the Sabbath. 57. 10% of households always, usually, or sometimes have a Christmas tree in the home. 58. 37% of Jewish respondents attended a theater, music or dance program in the past year because it had Jewish content. Synagogue Attendance 59. 22% of Jewish respondents attend synagogue services once per month or more. 60. 25% of Jewish respondents never attend synagogue services (or attend only for special occasions). Intermarriage 61. 84% of married couples in Jewish households are in-married; 2%, conversionary in-married; and 14%, intermarried. 62. 20% (1,102 households) of households with single Jewish adults age 18-64 were interested in singles programs in the past year. 3 Major Findings 63. 21% of households with single Jewish adults age 18-64 have used a Jewish Internet dating service at some time. 64. 33% of children age 0-17 in intermarried households are being raised Jewish. 65. 1% (728 persons) of Jewish persons in Jewish households are Jews-by-Choice. Synagogue Membership 66. According to the Telephone Survey, 44% of households reported current synagogue membership. 67. According to the Synagogue Survey, 27% of the 9,467 households who are members of a synagogue located in Middlesex or neighboring communities are members of an Orthodox synagogue; 43%, a Conservative synagogue; 18%, a Reform synagogue; and 12%, other synagogues. 68. 83% of households are synagogue members at some time during their adult lives (lifetime synagogue membership). JCC Membership 69. According to the Telephone Survey, 3% of households reported current membership in a Jewish Community Center (JCC); 2% reported membership in the JCC of Middlesex County. 70. The major reason for not joining the JCC of Middlesex County most commonly reported by respondents in households who are not members of the JCC of Middlesex County is no need for the services offered (40%). 29% of respondents reported distance from home; 8%, lack of information about the JCC; 6%, cost; 4%, lack of time; 1%, quality of the programs; and 14%, other reasons. 71. 15% (3,576 households) of households were members of the YM-YWHA of Raritan Valley in the past, including 4% (1,032 households) who were members 0-5 years ago; 2% (456 households), 6-9 years ago; and 9% (2,088 households), ten or more years ago. 72. 7% of households participated in or attended a program at, or sponsored by, the JCC of Middlesex County in the past year. 73. 31% of households who are not members of the JCC of Middlesex County reported current membership in a fitness facility or health club (fitness facility). The JCC has a 6% market share of the fitness facility market among Jewish households. 74. If a new YM-YWHA were built in East Brunswick, 12% (2,880 households) of households would definitely seriously investigate joining a new Y; 24% (5,856 households), probably; 33%, probably not; 28%, definitely not; and 3% don’t know. Jewish Organization Membership 75. 38% of households reported current membership in a Jewish organization. Overlapping Memberships 76. 58% of households are associated with the Jewish community in that someone in the household is a member of a synagogue, Jewish Community Center (JCC), or Jewish organization. 77. 2% of households are members of both a synagogue and a JCC; 42% are synagogue members but are not JCC members; 1% are JCC members but are not synagogue members; and 55% are neither synagogue nor JCC members. 4 Major Findings Part of the Jewish Community 78. 18% of Jewish respondents feel very much part of the Middlesex Jewish community; 32%, somewhat; 28%, not very much; and 22%, not at all. Formal Jewish Education of Adults as Children 79. 74% of born or raised Jewish adults received some formal Jewish education as children. 80. 12% of born or raised Jewish adults attended a Jewish day school as children. Informal Jewish Education of Adults as Children 81. 24% of born or raised Jewish adults attended or worked at a Jewish sleep away camp as children. 82. 37% of born or raised Jewish adults participated in a Jewish youth group as teenagers. 83. 25% of born or raised Jewish adults who attended college participated in Hillel/Chabad while in college (excluding High Holidays). Internet Usage and Adult Jewish Education 84. 48% of Jewish respondents used the Internet for Jewish-related information in the past year. 85. 17% of Jewish respondents used the Internet for information about the Middlesex Jewish community in the past year, including 8% who visited the Jewish Federation web site. 86. 28% of Jewish respondents attended an adult Jewish education program or class in the past year. Jewish Education of Children–Preschool 87. According to the Telephone Survey, 38% of Jewish children age 0-5 (excluding Jewish children age 5 who already attend kindergarten) attend a Jewish preschool/child care program; 22%, a non-Jewish preschool/child care program; and 39% do not attend a preschool/child care program. According to the Jewish Institutions Survey, 27% of Jewish children age 0-5 attend a Jewish preschool/child care program. 88. 63% of Jewish children age 0-5 who attend a preschool/child care program attend a Jewish preschool/child care program. Jewish Education of Children–Jewish Day School 89. According to the Telephone Survey, 20% of non-Orthodox Jewish children age 5-12 (excluding Jewish children age 5 who do not yet attend kindergarten) attend a Jewish day school; 2%, a non-Jewish private school; and 79%, a public school. 90. 93% of non-Orthodox Jewish children age 5-12 who attend a private school attend a Jewish day school. 91. 50% of households with Jewish children age 0-17 either currently have a Jewish child in Jewish day school, have sent a child in the past, will definitely send a child in the future, or did or will seriously investigate sending a child to Jewish day school. 50% of households with Jewish children age 0-17 are not in the Jewish day school market. 92. The major reasons for not sending Jewish children age 0-17 to a Jewish Day School most commonly reported are tuition cost (42%), belief in public schools/ethnically mixed environment (36%), school is too religious for family/family is not religious (22%), quality of 5 Major Findings other private or public schools (10%), have a special needs child (6%), and quality of education at Jewish day schools (5%). Formal Jewish Education of Children–Current and Past Attendance 93. According to the Telephone Survey, 72% of non-Orthodox Jewish children age 5-12 (excluding Jewish children age 5 who do not yet attend kindergarten) and 30% of nonOrthodox Jewish children age 13-17 currently attend formal Jewish education. 94. 80% of non-Orthodox Jewish children age 13-17 have received some formal Jewish education, including 17% at a Jewish day school. Informal Jewish Education of Children 95. According to the Telephone Survey, 14% of non-Orthodox Jewish children age 3-17 attended or worked at a Jewish day camp this past summer (the summer of 2007); 33%, a non-Jewish day camp; and 53% did not attend or work at a day camp. 96. 9% of non-Orthodox Jewish children age 6-17 attended or worked at a Jewish sleep away camp this past summer (the summer of 2007); 4%, a non-Jewish sleep away camp; and 87% did not attend or work at a sleep away camp. 97. According to the Telephone Survey, 41% of Jewish children age 13-17 participate in a Jewish teenage youth group. According to the Jewish Institutions Survey, 45% of Jewish children age 13-17 participate in a Jewish teenage youth group. 98. 65% of Jewish children age 0-17 are currently involved in some type of formal or informal Jewish education. Jewish Agencies–Familiarity 99. 15% of respondents are very familiar, 40% are somewhat familiar, and 45% are not at all familiar with the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County. 100. 8% of respondents are very familiar, 23% are somewhat familiar, and 70% are not at all familiar with the Jewish Family and Vocational Service. 101. 7% of respondents are very familiar, 26% are somewhat familiar, and 67% are not at all familiar with Rutgers Hillel. 102. 7% of respondents are very familiar, 19% are somewhat familiar, and 74% are not at all familiar with the YM-YWHA of Raritan Valley. 103. 4% of respondents are very familiar, 20% are somewhat familiar, and 76% are not at all familiar with the Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County. 104. 70% of respondents are at least somewhat familiar with at least one of the agencies queried. Jewish Day Schools–Familiarity 105. 23% of respondents in households with Jewish children are very familiar, 42% are somewhat familiar, and 35% are not at all familiar with the Solomon Schechter Day School of Raritan Valley. 106. 22% of respondents in households with Jewish children are very familiar, 22% are somewhat familiar, and 57% are not at all familiar with the Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva. 107. 13% of respondents in households with Jewish children are very familiar, 25% are somewhat familiar, and 62% are not at all familiar with the Moshe Aaron Yeshiva High School. 6 Major Findings Jewish Agencies–Perception 108. 23% of respondents who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County and were able to provide a perception perceive it as excellent; 59%, good; 15%, fair; and 3%, poor. 109. 24% of respondents who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the Jewish Family and Vocational Service and were able to provide a perception perceive it as excellent; 58%, good; 13%, fair; and 5%, poor. 110. 32% of respondents who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with Rutgers Hillel and were able to provide a perception perceive it as excellent; 55%, good; 12%, fair; and 1%, poor. 111. 12% of respondents who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the YM-YWHA of Raritan Valley and were able to provide a perception perceive it as excellent; 62%, good; 15%, fair; and 11%, poor. 112. 16% of respondents who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County and were able to provide a perception perceive it as excellent; 59%, good; 21%, fair; and 5%, poor. Jewish Day Schools–Perception 113. 17% of respondents in households with Jewish children who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the Solomon Schechter Day School of Raritan Valley and were able to provide a perception perceive it as excellent; 66%, good; 17%, fair; and 1%, poor. 114. 18% of respondents in households with Jewish children who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva and were able to provide a perception perceive it as excellent; 53%, good; 23%, fair; and 6%, poor. 115. 11% of respondents in households with Jewish children who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the Moshe Aaron Yeshiva High School and were able to provide a perception perceive it as excellent; 37%, good; 41%, fair; and 12%, poor. General Social Service Needs 116. 21% (5,016 households) of households contain a health-limited member, including 7% in which the member needs daily assistance. 117. 7% (1,608 households) of households needed marital, family, or personal counseling in the past year. 118. 17% (4,152 households) of households needed help in coordinating services for an elderly or disabled person in the past year. 119. 2% (408 households) of households needed financial assistance in the past year. 120. 11% (1,331 households) of households with adults age 18-64 needed help in finding a job or choosing an occupation in the past year. 121. 11% (452 households) of households with Jewish children age 0-17 needed programs for Jewish children with learning disabilities or other special needs, such as developmental disabilities, in the past year. 122. Most households who received social services in the past year received them from nonJewish sources. Social Service Needs of the Elderly 123. 14% (1,905 households) of households with elderly persons needed in-home health care in the past year. 7 Major Findings 124. 13% (1,718 households) of households with elderly persons needed senior transportation in the past year. 125. 4% (519 households) of households with elderly persons needed home-delivered meals in the past year. 126. 3% (453 households) of households with elderly persons needed adult day care in the past year. 127. 3% (373 households) of households with elderly persons needed nursing home care in the past year. 128. 3% (346 households) of households with elderly persons needed an assisted living facility in the past year. 129. Most households with elderly persons who received social services for the elderly in the past year received them from non-Jewish sources. Other Social Service Issues 130. 12% of households in which the respondent is age 40 or over have an elderly relative who lives outside the respondent’s home and who in some way depends upon the household for care. 131. 30% of households in which the respondent is age 75 or over have at least one adult child who has established his/her own home in Middlesex; 48% have adult children who have established their own homes outside Middlesex but within 90 minutes of Middlesex. 132. 58% of Jewish respondents age 40 and over would very much prefer Jewish-sponsored adult care facilities; 24% would somewhat prefer them; 16% would have no preference; and 1% would rather not use them. Israel 133. 54% of households contain a member who visited Israel. 134. 24% of households contain a member who visited Israel on a Jewish trip and 29%, on a general trip. 135. 6% of households with Jewish children age 0-17 have sent a Jewish child to Israel on a Jewish trip and 13%, on a general trip. 136. 16% of households with Jewish children age 0-17 will not seriously investigate sending a Jewish teenager on a trip to Israel. 137. 27% of Jewish respondents are extremely emotionally attached to Israel; 31%, very attached; 32%, somewhat attached; and 10%, not attached. Anti-Semitism 138. 8% of Jewish respondents personally experienced anti-Semitism in Middlesex in the past year. 139. 13% of households with Jewish children age 6-17 contain a Jewish child age 6-17 who experienced anti-Semitism in Middlesex in the past year, mainly at school. 140. 5% of respondents perceive a great deal of anti-Semitism in Middlesex; 26%, a moderate amount; 48%, a little; and 21%, none at all. The Media 141. 28% of Jewish respondents always read the New Jersey Jewish News; 9%, usually; 26%, sometimes; and 37%, never. 8 Major Findings 142. 23% of Jewish respondents who always, usually, or sometimes read the New Jersey Jewish News and were able to provide a perception perceive it as excellent; 61%, good; 16%, fair; and 1%, poor. Philanthropic Profile–JFGMC 143. According to the Telephone Survey, 44% of households donated to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County (JFGMC) in the past year. According to the Jewish Federation Survey, 16% of households donated to JFGMC in the past year. 144. 47% of households were not asked to donate to JFGMC in the past year; 9% were asked, but declined to donate. 17% of households asked to donate to JFGMC in the past year did not donate. 145. According to the Telephone Survey, 57% of households did not donate to JFGMC in the past year; 30% donated under $100; 10%, $100-$500; and 4%, $500 and over. 146. According to the Jewish Federation Survey, the JFGMC Annual Campaign raised $2,455,458 in 2008. The average donation per Jewish household is $102. 147. Not adjusted for inflation, the JFGMC Annual Campaign fluctuated from $2.4-$2.5 million from 2000-2008. Adjusted for inflation, the JFGMC Annual Campaign decreased by $778,820 from 2000 to 2008. The average donation per Jewish household decreased by $14. Philanthropic Profile–Other Charities 148. 59% of households donated to Other Jewish Charities (Jewish charities other than Jewish Federations) in the past year. 149. 41% of households did not donate to Other Jewish Charities in the past year; 27% donated under $100; 21%, $100-$500; and 12%, $500 and over. 150. 79% of households donated to Non-Jewish Charities in the past year. 151. 21% of households did not donate to Non-Jewish Charities in the past year; 41% donated under $100; 27%, $100-$500; and 11%, $500 and over. Philanthropic Profile–Overlapping Donations 152. 73% of households donated to Any Jewish Charity (Jewish Federations and Other Jewish Charities) in the past year. 153. 90% of households donated to Any Charity (Jewish and Non-Jewish) in the past year. 154. 21% of households donated to Other Jewish Charities but not to Any Jewish Federation in the past year; 13% donated to Any Jewish Federation but not to Other Jewish Charities; 38% donated to both Any Jewish Federation and Other Jewish Charities; and 28% did not donate to Any Jewish Charity. 155. 17% of households donated to Non-Jewish Charities but not to Any Jewish Charity in the past year; 10% donated to Any Jewish Charity but not to Non-Jewish Charities; 63% donated to both Any Jewish Charity and Non-Jewish Charities; and 11% did not donate to Any Charity. Philanthropic Profile–Market Share 156. Of all charitable dollars donated by Jewish households in the past year, 15% were donated to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County (JFGMC); 5%, to Other Jewish Federations; 49%, to Other Jewish Charities; and 31%, to Non-Jewish Charities. 157. Of all charitable dollars donated by Jewish households in the past year, 69% were donated to Any Jewish Charity (including JFGMC). 9 Major Findings 158. Of all charitable dollars donated by Jewish households to Any Jewish Charity in the past year, 22% were donated to JFGMC. Philanthropic Profile–Wills 159. 16% of respondents age 50 and over do not have wills; 77% have wills that contain no charitable provisions; 5% have wills that contain provisions for Jewish charities; and 2% have wills that contain provisions for non-Jewish charities only. Philanthropic Profile–Volunteerism 160. 26% of Jewish respondents volunteered for Jewish organizations in the past year and 29%, for non-Jewish organizations. 161. 15% of Jewish respondents volunteered for Jewish organizations but not for non-Jewish organizations in the past year; 17% volunteered for non-Jewish organizations but not for Jewish organizations; 11% volunteered for both Jewish and non-Jewish organizations; and 57% did not volunteer for any organizations. Philanthropic Profile–Attitudes 162. Respondents in households who donated $100 and over to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County (JFGMC), Other Jewish Federations, or Other Jewish Charities in the past year were asked how important each of several motivations is in their decision to donate to a Jewish organization: providing social services for the Jewish elderly (67%, very important; 29%, somewhat important; 4%, not at all important). supporting the people of Israel (67%, very important; 28%, somewhat important; 5%, not at all important). combating anti-Semitism (67%, very important; 28%, somewhat important; 6%, not at all important). providing Jewish education for children (66%, very important; 27%, somewhat important; 7%, not at all important). helping Jews overseas who are in distress (54%, very important; 38%, somewhat important; 8%, not at all important). providing individual and family counseling for Jews (46%, very important; 41%, somewhat important; 13%, not at all important). supporting educational trips to Israel (41%, very important; 40%, somewhat important; 19%, not at all important). providing social, recreational, and cultural activities for Jews (38%, very important; 50%, somewhat important; 12%, not at all important). 163. Respondents in households who donated $100 and over to JFGMC in the past year were asked whether each of several motivations would cause them to donate more to JFGMC. Respondents would donate more to JFGMC if (they): were asked by a close friend (35%). more of the money went to local needs (33%). had more say over how the money was spent (27%). more of the money went to needs in Israel and overseas (24%). were asked in person (22%). received more recognition for their donation (1%). 10 Comparisons with Other Jewish Communities The statements presented below illustrate the most important ways in which Middlesex differs from other Jewish communities. The Main Report contains a complete listing of the comparison Jewish communities to which Middlesex is compared in each of the statements below. The approximate number of comparison Jewish communities (comparisons) to which Middlesex is compared is shown in parentheses. Compared to other Jewish communities, Middlesex has: Size and Geographic Distribution of the Jewish Population 1. The 7th highest percentage of households in the local community who are Jewish households (9%, 50 comparisons). 2. The highest percentage of households who live in the zip code area containing the highest percentage of Jewish households (40%, 50 comparisons). 3. The 2nd highest percentage of households who live in the three zip code areas containing the highest percentages of Jewish households (66%, 50 comparisons). 4. The 5th highest percentage of households who live in the five zip code areas containing the highest percentages of Jewish households (73%, 50 comparisons). Geographic Profile 5. The 7th highest percentage of households from the Former Soviet Union (7%, 35 comparisons). 6. The lowest percentage of households who live at their current address for 0-4 years (19%, 45 comparisons). 7. The 7th highest percentage of households who live at their current address for 20 or more years (27%, 45 comparisons). 8. The 2nd highest percentage of households who own their homes (91%, 45 comparisons). 9. The 4th lowest percentage of households in which the respondent is age 50 or over who have adult children who have established their own homes in the local area (16%, 25 comparisons). Migration 10. The 4th lowest percentage of households definitely or probably moving (either within the local area or out of the local area) within the next three years (11%, 40 comparisons). 11. The lowest percentage of households definitely or probably moving within the local community (2%, 35 comparisons). Age Distribution 12. The 7th highest percentage of persons age 65 and over in Jewish households (36%, 50 comparisons). 13. The 5th highest percentage of persons age 75 and over in Jewish households (23%, 45 comparisons). 14. The 8th highest median age of persons in Jewish households (54.9 years, 45 comparisons). 11 Comparisons with Other Jewish Communities Household Structure 15. The 4th highest percentage of households with only adult children age 18 and over at home (12%, 40 comparisons). 16. The lowest percentage of married households under age 35 with no children at home (0%, 45 comparisons). 17. The 5th highest percentage of married households age 65 and over with no children at home (28%, 45 comparisons). 18. The 4th lowest percentage of single person households under age 65 (6%, 45 comparisons). 19. The 3rd highest percentage of single female households age 65 and over (17%, 45 comparisons). 20. The 3rd lowest percentage of children age 0-17 in Jewish households who live in households in which an adult is or was divorced (19%, 30 comparisons). Marital Status and Employment Status 21. The 3rd lowest percentage of adults in Jewish households who are currently divorced (4%, 40 comparisons). 22. The 7th lowest divorce rate (57 divorced adults in Jewish households per 1,000 married adults, 40 comparisons). 23. The 7th lowest percentage of adults in Jewish households who are employed full time (37%, 40 comparisons). 24. The 7th highest percentage of adults in Jewish households who are retired (41%, 50 comparisons). 25. The 7th lowest percentage of adults in Jewish households in the labor force (48%, 50 comparisons). 26. The 8th lowest percentage of persons age 65 and over in Jewish households who are employed (12%, 45 comparisons). Household Income 27. The 4th highest median household income of households with children ($141,000, 45 comparisons). 28. The 4th highest percentage of households earning an annual income of $100,000 and over (44%, 30 comparisons). Jewish Identification 29. The 7th highest percentage of Jewish respondents who identify as Conservative (35%, 50 comparisons). Religious Practices 30. The 2nd highest percentage of households containing a member who observes at least one of the following religious practices: always or usually participate in a Passover Seder; always or usually light Chanukah candles; always or usually light Sabbath candles; or keep a kosher home (91%, 40 comparisons). 31. The 2nd highest percentage of households who have a mezuzah on the front door (83%, 35 comparisons). 32. The 5th highest percentage of households who always or usually participate in a Passover Seder (83%, 50 comparisons). 12 Comparisons with Other Jewish Communities 33. The 2nd highest percentage of households who always or usually light Chanukah candles (84%, 50 comparisons). 34. The 4th highest percentage of households who keep a kosher home (23%, 50 comparisons). 35. The 3rd highest percentage of respondents who keep kosher in and out of the home (12%, 35 comparisons). 36. The 4th highest percentage of respondents who refrain from using electricity on the Sabbath (6%, 30 comparisons). 37. The 2nd lowest percentage of households who always, usually, or sometimes have a Christmas tree in the home (10%, 40 comparisons). Synagogue Attendance 38. The 2nd highest percentage of Jewish respondents under age 35 who attend synagogue services once per month or more (35%, 35 comparisons). 39. The 5th lowest percentage of Jewish respondents age 65-74 who attend synagogue services once per month or more (18%, 40 comparisons). 40. The 6th lowest percentage of Jewish respondents age 65 and over who attend synagogue services once per month or more (20%, 40 comparisons). Intermarriage 41. The 2nd lowest percentage of married couples in Jewish households who are intermarried (14%, 55 comparisons). 42. The 4th lowest percentage of married couples in households under age 35 who are intermarried (26%, 40 comparisons). 43. The 7th lowest percentage of married couples in households age 35-49 who are intermarried (27%, 40 comparisons). 44. The 5th lowest percentage of married couples in households age 50-64 who are intermarried (15%, 45 comparisons). 45. The 8th lowest percentage of married couples in households age 65-74 who are intermarried (7%, 45 comparisons). 46. The 3rd lowest percentage of married couples in households age 75 and over who are intermarried (3%, 40 comparisons). 47. The 4th lowest percentage of married couples in households age 65 and over who are intermarried (5%, 45 comparisons). 48. The 5th lowest percentage of Jewish children age 0-17 in married households being raised in intermarried households (9%, 45 comparisons). 49. The lowest percentage of Jewish children age 0-17 in married households being raised in conversionary in-married households (4%, 45 comparisons). 50. The 3rd highest percentage of persons in Jewish households who consider themselves Jewish (92%, 55 comparisons). 51. The 2nd lowest percentage of Jewish persons in Jewish households who are Jews-by-Choice (1%, 35 comparisons). 13 Comparisons with Other Jewish Communities Synagogue Membership 52. The 4th highest percentage of households who were synagogue members in the past (since becoming an adult) but do not plan to join a synagogue in the future (27%, 30 comparisons). 53. The lowest percentage of households who were not synagogue members in the past (since becoming an adult) but plan to join a synagogue in the future (3%, 30 comparisons). 54. The 4th highest percentage of households who are members of a synagogue at some time during their adult lives (83%, 30 comparisons). 55. The 5th highest percentage of households under age 35 who are current synagogue members (44%, 40 comparisons). 56. The 4th highest percentage of synagogue member households who are members of an Orthodox synagogue according to the Synagogue Survey (27%, 35 comparisons). 57. The lowest percentage of synagogue member households who are members of a Reform synagogue according to the Synagogue Survey (18%, 35 comparisons). JCC Membership 58. The 3rd lowest percentage of households who reported current membership in the local Jewish Community Center (JCC) (2%, 50 comparison JCCs). 59. The 2nd lowest percentage of households with children who are current members of the local JCC (2%, 45 comparison JCCs). 60. The 3rd lowest percentage of intermarried households who are current members of the local JCC (1%, 45 comparison JCCs). 61. The 3rd lowest percentage of households who are members of the local JCC, according to the JCC Survey (4%, 30 comparisons). 62. The 2nd lowest percentage of households who are both synagogue and JCC members (2%, 45 comparison JCCs). 63. The 2nd highest percentage of households who are synagogue members but not JCC members (42%, 45 comparison JCCs). 64. The lowest percentage of households who are JCC members but not synagogue members (1%, 45 comparison JCCs). 65. The 2nd lowest percentage of households who participated in or attended a program at, or sponsored by, the local JCC in the past year (7%, 45 comparison JCCs). 66. The 4th lowest percentage of households who participated in or attended a program at, or sponsored by, the local JCC in the past year without being a member of the local JCC (5%, 45 comparison JCCs). 67. The 2nd lowest JCC market share of the fitness facility and health club market among Jewish households (6%, 25 comparison JCCs). Jewish Organization Membership 68. The 7th highest percentage of households who are current Jewish organization members (38%, 40 comparisons). 69. The 5th highest percentage of households who are current Jewish organization members among households who are not members of a synagogue or JCC (23%, 40 comparisons). Informal Jewish Education of Adults as Children 70. The 5th lowest percentage of born or raised Jewish adults who attended or worked at a Jewish sleep away camp as children (24%, 30 comparisons). 14 Comparisons with Other Jewish Communities Jewish Education of Children–Jewish Day School 71. The highest percentage of Jewish children age 5-17 who attend a Jewish day school (41%, 45 comparisons). 72. The lowest percentage of Jewish children age 5-17 who attend a non-Jewish private school (1%, 40 comparisons). 73. The 6th lowest percentage of Jewish children age 5-17 who attend a public school (58%, 40 comparisons). 74. The highest percentage of Jewish children age 5-17 in a private school who attend a Jewish day school (98%, 40 comparisons). 75. The highest percentage of Jewish children age 5-12 who attend a Jewish day school (48%, 35 comparisons). 76. The 2nd lowest percentage of Jewish children age 5-12 who attend a non-Jewish private school (1%, 35 comparisons). 77. The 3rd lowest percentage of Jewish children age 5-12 who attend a public school (51%, 35 comparisons). 78. The 2nd highest percentage of Jewish children age 5-12 in a private school who attend a Jewish day school (98%, 35 comparisons). 79. The 3rd highest percentage of Jewish children age 13-17 who attend a Jewish day school (31%, 35 comparisons). 80. The lowest percentage of Jewish children age 13-17 who attend a non-Jewish private school (1%, 35 comparisons). 81. The 7th lowest percentage of Jewish children age 13-17 who attend a public school (69%, 35 comparisons). 82. The highest percentage of Jewish children age 13-17 in a private school who attend a Jewish day school (98%, 35 comparisons). Informal Jewish Education of Children 83. The 2nd lowest percentage of Jewish children age 3-17 who did not attend or work at a day camp this past summer (the summer of 2007) (50%, 25 comparisons). 84. The 3rd lowest percentage of Jewish children age 6-17 who attended or worked at a nonJewish sleep away camp this past summer (3%, 25 comparisons). 85. The 2nd highest percentage of Jewish children age 6-17 attending or working at a sleep away camp this past summer who attended or worked at a Jewish sleep away camp (86%, 25 comparisons). Jewish Agencies–Familiarity 86. The 5th lowest percentage of respondents who are very familiar with the Jewish Family and Vocational Service (8%, 35 comparisons). 87. The 4th lowest percentage of respondents who are very familiar with the Jewish Community Center (YM-YWHA of Raritan Valley) (7%, 40 comparison JCCs). 88. The lowest percentage of respondents who are very familiar with the Jewish Community Center (JCC of Middlesex County) (4%, 40 comparison JCCs). Jewish Agencies–Perception 89. The 3rd lowest percentage of respondents who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the local Jewish Family and Vocational Service who perceive it as excellent (24%, 35 comparisons). 15 Comparisons with Other Jewish Communities 90. The 2nd lowest percentage of respondents who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the local Jewish Community Center (YM-YWHA of Raritan Valley) who perceive it as excellent (12%, 40 comparison JCCs). 91. The 4th lowest percentage of respondents who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the local Jewish Community Center (JCC of Middlesex County) who perceive it as excellent (16%, 40 comparison JCCs). Jewish Day Schools–Perception 92. The 5th lowest percentage of respondents in households with Jewish children who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the local Jewish day school (Solomon Schechter Day School of Raritan Valley) who perceive it as excellent (17%, 40 comparison Jewish day schools). 93. The 7th lowest percentage of respondents in households with Jewish children who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the local Jewish day school (Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva) who perceive it as excellent (18%, 40 comparison Jewish day schools). 94. The lowest percentage of respondents in households with Jewish children who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the local Jewish day school (Moshe Aaron Yeshiva High School) who perceive it as excellent (11%, 40 comparison Jewish day schools). General Social Service Needs 95. The 4th highest percentage of households who contain a health-limited member (21%, 40 comparisons). 96. The 5th highest percentage of elderly couple households with a health-limited member who needs daily assistance (12%, 35 comparisons). 97. The 5th lowest percentage of households who needed marital, family, or personal counseling in the past year (7%, 35 comparisons). 98. The 2nd highest percentage of households who needed help in coordinating services for an elderly or disabled person in the past year (17%, 20 comparisons). Social Service Needs of the Elderly 99. The 5th highest percentage of households with elderly persons who needed adult day care in the past year (3%, 30 comparisons). 100. The 2nd highest percentage of households with children in which the respondent is age 40 or over who care for an elderly relative who does not live in the respondent’s household and who in some way depends upon the household for his/her care (24%, 20 comparisons). 101. The 5th lowest percentage of households in which the respondent is age 75 or over who have adult children who have established their own homes in the local area (30%, 30 comparisons). Israel 102. The 7th highest percentage of households in which a member visited Israel on a general trip (29%, 35 comparisons). 103. The 5th highest percentage of households with Jewish children who have sent a Jewish child to Israel (18%, 40 comparisons). 104. The 4th highest percentage of households with Jewish children who have sent a Jewish child to Israel on a general trip (13%, 30 comparisons). 16 Comparisons with Other Jewish Communities 105. The 3rd highest percentage of Jewish respondents who are extremely or very emotionally attached to Israel (58%, 35 comparisons). Note that the comparisons with other Jewish communities need to be examined in light of the events occurring in Israel at the time of each study. Anti-Semitism 106. The 2nd lowest percentage of Jewish respondents who personally experienced anti-Semitism in the local community in the past year (8%, 35 comparisons). 107. The 5th lowest percentage of respondents who perceive a great deal or a moderate amount of anti-Semitism in the local community (31%, 35 comparisons). 108. The 6th lowest percentage of respondents who perceive a great deal of anti-Semitism in the local community (5%, 35 comparisons). Philanthropic Profile–JFGMC 109. The 3rd highest percentage of households who donated under $100 to the local Jewish Federation in the past year among households who donated (69%, 40 comparisons). 110. The 3rd lowest percentage of households who donated $1,000 and over to the local Jewish Federation in the past year among households who donated (4%, 45 comparisons). 111. The 6th lowest percentage of households who donated to the local Jewish Federation in the past year, according to the Jewish Federation Survey (16%, 35 comparisons). 112. The 6th lowest average donation to the local Jewish Federation per Jewish household ($102, 50 comparisons). Philanthropic Profile–Other Charities 113. The 5th highest percentage of households who donated to Other Jewish Charities (Jewish charities other than Jewish Federations) in the past year (59%, 40 comparisons). 114. The 3rd highest percentage of households who donated to Any Jewish Charity in the past year (73%, 45 comparisons). 115. The 4th highest percentage of households who donated under $100 to Non-Jewish Charities in the past year among households who donated (52%, 40 comparisons). 116. The 5th lowest percentage of households who donated $1,000 and over to Non-Jewish Charities in the past year among households who donated (7%, 40 comparisons). 117. The 8th lowest percentage of households who donated to Non-Jewish Charities but not to Any Jewish Charity in the past year (17%, 45 comparisons). 118. The 6th highest percentage of households who donated to both Any Jewish Charity and NonJewish Charities in the past year (63%, 45 comparisons). Philanthropic Profile–Market Share 119. The 7th lowest percentage of all charitable dollars donated by Jewish households in the past year that were donated to the local Jewish Federation (15%, 35 comparisons). 120. The 2nd highest percentage of all charitable dollars donated by Jewish households in the past year that were donated to Other Jewish Charities (49%, 30 comparisons). 121. The 6th lowest percentage of all charitable dollars donated by Jewish households in the past year that were donated to Non-Jewish Charities (31%, 35 comparisons). 17 Comparisons with Other Jewish Communities 122. The 6th highest percentage of all charitable dollars donated by Jewish households in the past year that were donated to Any Jewish Charity (69%, 35 comparisons). 123. The 6th lowest percentage of all charitable dollars donated by Jewish households to Any Jewish Charity in the past year that were donated to the local Jewish Federation (22%, 35 comparisons). Philanthropic Profile–Wills 124. The lowest percentage of respondents age 50 and over who have wills that contain provisions for Jewish charities (5%, 35 comparisons). 125. The lowest percentage of respondents age 50 and over who have wills that contain provisions for non-Jewish charities only (2%, 30 comparisons). Philanthropic Profile–Volunteerism 126. The 3rd lowest percentage of Jewish respondents who volunteered for non-Jewish organizations in the past year (29%, 25 comparisons). 127. The 5th lowest percentage of Jewish respondents who volunteered for non-Jewish organizations but not Jewish organizations in the past year (17%, 25 comparisons). 128. The 3rd lowest percentage of Jewish respondents who volunteered for both Jewish and nonJewish organizations in the past year (11%, 25 comparisons). 129. The 4th highest percentage of Jewish respondents who did not volunteer for any organizations in the past year (57%, 25 comparisons). Philanthropic Profile–Attitudes 130. The 3rd highest percentage of respondents in households who donated $100 and over to the local Jewish Federation, Other Jewish Federations, or Other Jewish Charities in the past year who consider “supporting the people of Israel” to be a very important motivation to donate to a Jewish organization (67%, 20 comparisons). 131. The 3rd highest percentage of respondents in households who donated $100 and over to the local Jewish Federation, Other Jewish Federations, or Other Jewish Charities in the past year who consider “supporting educational trips to Israel” to be a very important motivation to donate to a Jewish organization (41%, 20 comparisons). 132. The 3rd highest percentage of respondents in households who donated $100 and over to the local Jewish Federation in the past year who would donate more to the local Jewish Federation if “they were asked by a close friend” (35%, 20 comparisons). 18 Introduction esearch and planning based upon sound information have become essential components of the activities of the organized American Jewish community. Scientific Jewish community studies have been completed in more than 50 American Jewish communities since 1993, covering about 80% of the 6,489,000 American Jews counted in the 2008 American Jewish Year Book. National Jewish Population Surveys (NJPS) were conducted by the Council of Jewish Federations (now merged into United Jewish Communities) in 1971 and 1990 and by United Jewish Communities in 2000-01 (NJPS 2000). R Second, complex decisions must be made by the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County and Jewish agencies. Questions were asked which will assist the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County and Jewish organizations and agencies that provide, or are concerned with, social and educational services. This study provides the data to help fine tune this network and prioritize the services offered. In particular, specific questions were designed in response to growing concern in recent years about the future of the Jewish Community Center. This study will assist the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, Jewish agencies, local synagogues, and Jewish organizations in developing the community's strengths and in designing projects and programs to address its needs. It will provide information to help the community set priorities and guide decision making in the 21st century. Third, while the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County plays a central role in Jewish fund raising, it is felt that there is potential for increased giving across the community. To help meet Jewish needs in Middlesex, Israel, and around the world, questions were designed to collect information helpful to financial resource development by the Jewish community. Purposes of the Study Methodology Three driving forces helped to define the need for, and the nature of, this study. his study of the Middlesex Jewish community consisted of a Telephone Survey of 1,076 Jewish households in Middlesex, a Distinctive Jewish Name (DJN) Counting Project, and a Jewish Institutions Survey. First, the 1990 and 2000-01 National Jewish Population Surveys and their reports of significant rates of intermarriage and issues of Jewish continuity have seriously impacted the agenda of the American Jewish community. Concern about Jewish continuity is as great in Middlesex as in any other community. This study was designed, in part, to provide the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, Jewish agencies, local synagogues, and Jewish organizations with information to enable them to provide services and programs to contribute to the development of a Jewish community that will offer compelling reasons for all Jews to maintain their Jewish identity and remain active members of the community. T The Telephone Survey he Telephone Survey consisted of 1,076 20-minute telephone interviews, including 469 interviews conducted from a random digit dialing (RDD) sample and 607 interviews conducted from a Distinctive Jewish Name (DJN) sample. T In RDD surveys, random telephone numbers using all three-digit telephone exchange codes in the study area are generated by a computer. When a number was dialed, there was no 19 Introduction guarantee that a household, let alone a Jewish household, would be reached. The introduction to the survey asked whether anyone in the household was born or raised Jewish or is currently Jewish. 88% of households reached answered this question. In total, 27,000 different numbers were dialed more than 54,000 times to obtain the 469 RDD telephone interviews. The RDD methodology is necessary for a study to obtain results that accurately represent a population. The major advantage of this methodology is that it produces a random sample of Jewish households to be interviewed. The RDD methodology also has the advantages of yielding a high survey cooperation rate (90% of the Jewish households reached in Middlesex), guaranteeing anonymity to respondents, and providing the ability to interview households with unpublished telephone numbers and households who have recently migrated into the local area. Perhaps more importantly, the RDD methodology does not rely upon Jewish households making themselves known to the Jewish community by joining a synagogue, the Jewish Community Center, or other Jewish organizations, or by donating money to a Jewish fund raising campaign. Thus, a more accurate representation of the Jewish community should be obtained with the RDD methodology than with telephone directory methods or methods that rely upon randomly selecting households from Jewish organization mailing lists. After the completion of the RDD Telephone Survey, an additional 607 telephone interviews were conducted from households with a DJN listed in the 2008 CD-ROM telephone directory. This greatly facilitated the project: on average, one RDD interview was completed every 2 hours; one DJN interview was completed every 40 minutes. The RDD sample was compared to the DJN sample on a number of key variables. It was found (using chi-square tests) that these two samples did differ significantly on geographic area and length of residence. In addition, due to small differences, weighting factors also were applied for age of the head of the household, synagogue membership, type of marriage, and household income to make the DJN sample somewhat more like the RDD sample. The questionnaire was designed through a cooperative effort by the Study Development Committee, Jewish Federation staff, community rabbis, Jewish agency executives and lay leadership, and Dr. Ira M. Sheskin of the University of Miami. Paid interviewers were hired from the Middlesex Jewish community. Interviewers were found via advertisements placed in the local Jewish newspaper and publicity throughout the Jewish community. The 43 interviewers (more than 150 persons inquired about the positions) were themselves interviewed for the interviewer positions. Two 3½-hour training sessions were held for interviewers at the Jewish Federation building prior to the commencement of the survey. The Telephone Survey was conducted from the Jewish Federation building in June 2008. To facilitate contacting respondents, each telephone number was dialed up to four times: at least once in the early evening, at least once later in the evening, at least once on a Sunday, and once during the day on a weekday. Interviews were conducted from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. No interviews were conducted on Friday evening or Saturday. 20 Introduction Telephone Survey Reliability he sample size of 1,076 is adequate so that we can be 95% certain that the margin of error for the overall results (the results when examining all 1,076 interviews) is no greater than ±3.0%. When results are not based upon the total sample size of 1,076 (for example, when results are presented for households with elderly persons), the margin of error is greater than ±3.0%. See Chapter 2 in the Main Report for a detailed discussion of sample size and margin of error. T Jewish Institutions Survey rief surveys were administered to the synagogues in Middlesex and neighboring communities, the Jewish Community Center, the Jewish day schools, and the Jewish Federation. These surveys primarily collected information on membership levels and enrollments in various programs. B Another common error is to interpret results in terms of the number of households when results are shown in terms of the number of persons, or vice versa. The careful reader will notice small differences in the percentages and numbers of households and persons shown in various parts of this Summary Report. The differences are due to rounding error. At times, also due to rounding error, the reported percentages do not sum to 100% and the reported numbers do not sum to the appropriate numerical total. However, the convention employed shows the total as 100% or the appropriate numerical total. Although many percentages for Middlesex presented in this Summary Report are shown to the nearest tenth and most numbers are shown to the nearest integer, it should be noted that all percentages and numbers are estimates. Definitions Use of This Summary Report eaders are cautioned that not all data that justify the statements contained in this Summary Report are reproduced herein. See the Main Report for more complete results. R Demographic data are easily misunderstood. The data in the text, tables, and graphs in this Summary Report should be examined carefully. The most common error in interpretation occurs when readers do not concentrate on the nature of the denominator (or base) used in calculating a percentage. As an example, note that in Chapter 6 in the Main Report, this study reports that 35% of Jewish respondents in the North identify as Reform. Yet, 10% of Jewish respondents who identify as Reform live in the North. ey definitions of terms used in this Summary Report are provided in this section. K ! Jewish Person A Jewish person is any person who currently considers himself/herself Jewish or who was born Jewish or raised Jewish and has not formally converted to another religion and does not regularly attend religious services of another religion (irrespective of formal conversion). Note that whether a person was born Jewish, was raised Jewish, or currently considers himself/herself Jewish is based on self-definition. A person who was born Jewish or raised Jewish (excluding any such person who has formally converted to another religion or who regularly attends religious services of another religion [irrespective of formal conversion]), but currently considers himself/herself to be secular, agnostic, atheist, 21 Introduction non-practicing, non-religious, non-observant, nothing, no religion, or a non-Western religion is considered to be Jewish. Adults who consider themselves part Jewish are considered to be Jewish. Children who are part Jewish (being raised both Jewish and in another religion) are not considered to be Jewish. Persons who are Messianic are not considered to be Jewish. Persons of Jewish background who no longer consider themselves to be Jewish are not considered to be Jewish. ! Jewish Household A Jewish household is any household containing a Jewish person. See Chapter 2 in the Main Report for the definition of eligible Jewish households. ! Persons in Jewish Households Persons in Jewish households are any persons (both Jewish and non-Jewish) living in a Jewish household. Some results in this report are shown for persons in Jewish households, while other results are shown only for Jewish persons or only for non-Jewish persons in Jewish households. Children who are temporarily away at school are included as persons in Jewish households. Paid Jewish employees living in a Jewish household are included as persons in Jewish households. Paid non-Jewish employees living in a Jewish household are not included as persons in Jewish households. ! Jew-by-Choice For adults, a Jew-by-Choice is any person age 18 or over who was not born or raised Jewish, but currently considers himself/herself Jewish (irrespective of formal conversion). For children, a Jew-by-Choice is any person age 0-17 who was not born Jewish but is being raised Jewish (irrespective of formal conversion). Children who were not born Jewish but are being raised Jewish and in another religion are not considered to be Jewsby-Choice. ! Born or Raised Jewish Adult A born or raised Jewish adult is any Jewish person age 18 or over who was born or raised Jewish. Jews-by-Choice (since they were not born or raised Jewish) and persons of Jewish background who no longer consider themselves to be Jewish (since they are not currently Jewish) are not considered to be born or raised Jewish adults. ! Respondent The respondent is the person in a Jewish household who was queried in the Telephone Survey. Some questions in the Telephone Survey were asked of the respondent only, while other questions were asked of the respondent about the household or about other persons in the household. Some results in this Summary Report are shown for respondents only. Some results are shown for all respondents, while other results are shown only for Jewish respondents. See Chapter 2 in the Main Report for the definition of eligible respondents. ! Head of Household In most cases, the respondent is the head of household. In cases in which the respondent is not Jewish, the Jewish spouse (or partner or significant other), parent, or other Jewish adult is designated as the head of household. In households in which the respondent is an adult child, an elderly relative, or another member of the household who is clearly not the head of household, a Jewish head of household is designated at random from the husband and wife in the household or the single parent is designated as the head of household. ! Age of Head of Household and Age of Respondent Data are shown for the age of head of household when examining questions in which the head of household is instrumental in 22 Introduction making a household decision (such as synagogue membership or charitable donations). Data are shown for the age of respondent when examining questions in which the respondent is expressing an opinion (such as emotional attachment to Israel) and questions asked only of the respondent (such as synagogue attendance). ! Children in Jewish Households and Jewish Children Children in Jewish households are any persons age 0-17 (both Jewish and non-Jewish) living in a Jewish household. Jewish children are any persons age 0-17 living in a Jewish household who are identified by the respondent as being raised Jewish. Children who are part Jewish (being raised both Jewish and in another religion) are not considered to be Jewish children. Some results in this Summary Report are shown for children in Jewish households or Jewish households with children, while other results are shown only for Jewish children or households with Jewish children. ! Age Groups Except as otherwise specified in this Summary Report, children refers to persons age 0-17, teenagers refers to persons age 13-17, adults refers to persons age 18 and over, non-elderly refers to adults under age 65, and elderly refers to adults age 65 and over. ! Household Structure Household with children refers to Jewish households containing children (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 0-17 at home. Household with only adult children refers to Jewish households containing adult children (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 18-29 (unless otherwise specified) at home and no children age 0-17 at home. Non-elderly couple household refers to two-person Jewish households containing a married couple in which the head of household is age 18-64. Non-elderly single household refers to one- person Jewish households containing a person age 18-64. Elderly couple household refers to two-person Jewish households containing a married couple in which the head of household is age 65 or over. Elderly single household refers to one-person Jewish households containing a person age 65 or over. ! Jewish Identification Except as otherwise specified, results reported for Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Reform, and Just Jewish subgroups refer to the respondent’s self-identification, not the denomination of synagogue membership. In cases in which the respondent is not Jewish, the Jewish identification is that of the Jewish spouse (or partner or significant other), parent, or other Jewish adult as reported by the nonJewish respondent (in a proxy fashion). See Chapter 2 in the Main Report for more information on eligible respondents and proxy responses. ! Types of Marriage ì In-marriage: An in-marriage is a marriage in which both spouses were born or raised Jewish and currently consider themselves Jewish. í Conversiona r y I n-m a r riage: A conversionary in-marriage is a marriage in which one spouse was born or raised Jewish and currently considers himself/herself Jewish and the other spouse was not born or raised Jewish but currently considers himself/herself Jewish (irrespective of formal conversion) (Jew-by-Choice). î Intermarriage: An intermarriage is a marriage in which one spouse currently considers himself/herself Jewish and the other spouse does not currently consider himself/herself Jewish. 23 Introduction ! Jewish Organization A Jewish organization is a Jewish organization other than a synagogue or Jewish Community Center. In querying whether anyone in the household is currently a member of a Jewish organization, respondents were given the examples of B’nai B’rith and Hadassah. ! Jewish and General Trips to Israel ì Jewish Trip: A Jewish trip to Israel is a trip sponsored by a Jewish group, such as a Jewish Federation, Jewish agency, synagogue, or Jewish organization. Households containing members who lived or studied in Israel (excluding households containing Israelis) are reported as households in which a member visited Israel on a Jewish trip. Households containing members who visited Israel on both a Jewish trip and a general trip are reported as households in which a member visited Israel on a Jewish trip. í General Trip: A general trip to Israel is either a trip sponsored by a non-Jewish group or commercial company or a trip in which the household member visited Israel on his/her own. Households containing Israelis are reported as households in which a member visited Israel on a general trip. ! Jewish Federation Market Segments in the Past Year Respondents were asked whether their households donated to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County (Jewish Federation) in the past year. If their households did not donate, the respondents were asked whether the Jewish Federation contacted them in the past year for the purpose of asking their households to donate. “Don’t know” responses were treated as negative responses. From these two questions, three Jewish Federation market segments are developed: ì Donated to Federation: Includes households who reported that they donated to the Jewish Federation in the past year. í Asked, Did Not Donate: Includes households who reported that the Jewish Federation asked them to donate in the past year, but they declined to donate. î Not Asked: Includes households who reported that they did not donate to the Jewish Federation in the past year and were not asked to donate. ! Donated to Jewish Federation in the Past Year The variable Donated to Jewish Federation in the Past Year refers only to households who donated to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County. ! Median The median is a measure of the central tendency of a distribution. For example, if the median age is 40, then half of the population is under age 40 and half of the population is over age 40. ! Base The base refers to the set of households or persons in a household to whom (or about whom) each question on the Telephone Survey was addressed. The base is the denominator used in calculating the percentages shown in the text, tables, and graphs. The base is described either in the text, tables, or graphs presented in this Summary Report. Examples of bases used in this Summary Report include, among others, Jewish Households, Persons in Jewish Households, Respondents, Adults in Jewish Households, and Jewish Children Age 0-17. 24 Introduction Comparisons with Other Jewish Communities Comparisons with NJPS 2000 he NJPS 2000 questionnaire was administered to 4,523 respondents who represent the 5.2 million American Jews estimated by the study. Of the 4,523 respondents, 4,220 respondents (representing 4.3 million more Jewishlyconnected American Jews) received a longer 43-minute questionnaire. The other 303 respondents (representing 900,000 less Jewishly-connected American Jews) received a 21-minute questionnaire. The shorter questionnaire consisted of a subset of questions from the longer questionnaire, omitting many questions about Jewish identity. As a result, the NJPS 2000 results for most demographic measures presented in this Summary Report represent all 5.2 million American Jews, while the NJPS 2000 results for most Jewish identity measures presented in this Summary Report represent only the 4.3 million more Jewishly-connected American Jews. Results on Jewish identity measures for the more Jewishly-connected sample are, in most cases, more positive than they would have been had these data been collected from all respondents representing the 5.2 million American Jews. See www.jewishdatabank.org for more information on the NJPS 2000 methodology. T n many cases this Summary Report compares Middlesex with other American Jewish communities. The choice of comparison Jewish communities depends upon whether particular Jewish communities had recently (since 1993) completed studies using RDD and whether questions had been asked in a similar manner and results reported in a manner facilitating comparison. Also, to be included in a given comparison, a community had to have asked the question of the same set of households or persons in a household as Middlesex. For example, if the question in Middlesex was asked of all persons in Jewish households, then only other communities querying this set of persons could be included in the comparison. The comparisons of Middlesex with other Jewish communities should be treated with caution due to the different dates of the studies, use of different sampling methods, use of different questionnaires, and inclusion of some data based on small sample sizes. I It is believed that based on the recency of the study, geographic proximity of the community to Middlesex, similar size of the Jewish Federation Annual Campaign, or similar population size of the community, the following communities provide particularly instructive comparisons with Middlesex: Bergen, Monmouth, New York, and Pittsburgh. These communities are shown in boldface type in the comparison tables shown in this Summary Report. See the Main Report for a complete listing of the comparison Jewish communities for each question. In the text of this Summary Report, NJPS 2000 results are referred to as nationally in comparison to Middlesex results. This researcher believes that comparisons with other Jewish communities based upon local community studies are more instructive than comparisons with NJPS 2000. See www.jewishdatabank.org for copies of the questionnaires and community study reports for many of the comparison Jewish communities. 25 Introduction Study Area T he study area includes all of Middlesex County in New Jersey. For the purposes of analysis, the study area is divided into four geographic areas. ì North. Includes 07001 (Avenel), 07008 (Carteret), 07064 (Port Reading), 07067 (Colonia), 07077 (Sewaren), 07080 (South Plainfield), 07095 (Woodbridge), 08820 (Edison), 08830 (Iselin), 08832 (Keasbey), 08837 (Edison), 08840 (Metuchen), 08846 (Middlesex), 08854 (Piscataway), 08855 (Piscataway), 08861 (Perth Amboy), and 08863 (Fords). í Highland Park/South Edison. Includes 08817 (Edison) and 08904 (Highland Park). î Central. Includes 07747 (Matawan), 08810 (Dayton), 08816 (East Brunswick), 08824 (Kendall Park), 08850 (Milltown), 08852 (Monmouth Junction), 08857 (Old Bridge), 08859 (Parlin), 08872 (Sayreville), 08879 (South Amboy), 08882 (South River), 08884 (Spotswood), 08901 (New Brunswick), 08902 (North Brunswick), and 08903 (New Brunswick). ï South. Includes 08512 (Cranbury), 08536 (Plainsboro), 08828 (Helmetta), and 08831 (Monroe Township). 26 Size and Distribution of the Jewish Population n Middlesex, 56,600 persons live in 24,000 Jewish households, of whom 52,000 persons (92%) are Jewish. In addition to the 56,600 persons in Jewish households, about 40 Jewish persons live in institutions without their own telephone numbers and 4,050 Jewish students (whose parents do not live in Middlesex) live in dormitories at Rutgers-New Brunswick. Thus, the resident Jewish population is 52,040 Jews and, in total, the Jewish community contains almost 60,700 persons. I | Middlesex County has the third largest Jewish population in New Jersey. | The number of Jewish households decreased by 14% from 27,900 households in 2000, but this decrease may be within the margin of error of the methodology used to estimate the number of households in 2000. | The 24,000 Jewish households constitute 8.9% of the estimated 270,000 households in Middlesex. The 56,600 persons in Jewish households constitute 7.4% of the estimated 769,000 persons in Middlesex. The 52,040 Jews constitute 6.8% of the estimated 769,000 persons in Middlesex. | The 8.9% of Jewish households is the seventh highest of about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 15.0% in New York, 12.2% in Monmouth, 8.6% in Bergen, and 4.0% in Pittsburgh. The 8.9% compares to 2.7% nationally. | According to the 2007 American Community Survey, 19.0% of persons in Middlesex are Asian, 17.1% are Hispanic, and 10.5% are Black. | The 51% of Jewish households on the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County mailing list as of 2008 is well below average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 70% in Bergen and 47% in Monmouth. | The Jewish population is highly concentrated geographically. The 40% of Jewish households who live in the top zip code area (08831Monroe Township) is the highest of about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 28% in Pittsburgh, 21% in Monmouth, 17% in Bergen, and 4% in New York. | 66% of Jewish households live in the top three zip code areas (08831, 08816-East Brunswick, and 08857-Old Bridge). Number of Jewish Households, 2000 and 2008 27 Size and Distribution of the Jewish Population Table 1 Current Size of the Jewish Community Persons in Jewish Households Number of Jewish Households Average Household Size Number of Persons Percentage Jewish Number of Jews North 2,000 2.25 4,500 81.3% 3,600 Highland Pk/S Edison 1,700 3.35 5,700 99.6% 5,700 Central 10,100 2.76 27,900 88.8% 24,800 South 10,200 1.82 18,500 96.7% 17,900 All 24,000 2.36 56,600 91.9% 52,000 Geographic Area Table 2 Geographic Distribution of the Jewish Community Jewish Households Geographic Area Persons in Jewish Households Jews in Jewish Households Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage North 2,000 8.3% 4,500 7.9% 3,600 6.9% Highland Pk/ S Edison 1,700 7.1 5,700 10.1 5,700 11.0 Central 10,100 42.1 27,900 49.3 24,800 47.7 South 10,200 42.5 18,500 32.7 17,900 34.4 All 24,000 100.0% 56,600 100.0% 52,000 100.0% | The number of Jewish households in the North decreased from 2,700 households to 2,000 households from 2000-2008. The number of persons in Jewish households decreased from 5,800 persons to 4,500 persons. | The number of Jewish households in Highland Park/South Edison decreased from 2,500 households to 1,700 households from 2000-2008. The number of persons in Jewish households decreased from 8,100 persons to 5,700 persons. | The number of Jewish households in the Central decreased from 13,400 households to 10,100 households from 2000-2008. The number of persons in Jewish households decreased from 35,600 persons to 27,900 persons. | The number of Jewish households in the South increased from 9,300 households to 10,200 households from 2000-2008. The number of persons in Jewish households increased from 16,300 persons to 18,500 persons. 28 Size and Distribution of the Jewish Population Geographic Distribution of Jewish Households–2000 Geographic Distribution of Jewish Households–2008 29 Size and Distribution of the Jewish Population Number of Persons in Jewish Households by Geographic Area, 2000 and 2008 | About 1,450 Jewish households live in zip code 08873 (Somerset), with about 4,000 persons in Jewish households and 3,500 Jews. | The number of Jewish households in zip code 08873 increased from about 1,200 households in 2000. 30 Geographic Profile 90% of adults in Jewish households in Middlesex were born in the United States. 87% of O verall, adults in Jewish households were born in the Northeast (including 53% in New York, 29% in New Jersey, 2% in Pennsylvania, and 1% in Massachusetts); 2%, in the South; 1%, in the Midwest; and 1%, in the West. 16% (7,462 adults) of adults in Jewish households were locally born (born in Middlesex). 10% (4,757 adults) of adults in Jewish households were foreign born. 1% (373 adults) of adults in Jewish households were born in Israel. | The 16% locally born is about average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 59% in New York, 49% in Pittsburgh, 14% in Bergen, and 10% in Monmouth. | The percentage of locally-born adults is important in understanding levels of attachment to the local community and local institutions. Most observers agree that adults living in the area in which they were born are more likely to maintain formal contacts with the Jewish community. They are more likely to continue to belong to the synagogue in which they were raised and to participate in the local organized Jewish community. | The 10% foreign born is about average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 27% in New York, 17% in Bergen, 10% in Pittsburgh, and 7% in Monmouth. Households from the Former Soviet Union | 7% (1,656 households) of households are from the Former Soviet Union. Part-Year Households | 10% (2,376 households) of households live in Middlesex for less than ten months of the year. Home Ownership | The 91% of households who own their home the second highest of about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 89% in Monmouth, 84% in Bergen, 73% in Pittsburgh, and 55% in New York. The 91% compares to 66% nationally, 67% of all households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) in Middlesex as of 2007, and 67% of all American households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) as of 2007. Location of Residence Prior to Middlesex 31 Geographic Profile Length of Residence | 11% (2,616 households) of households in Middlesex moved to Middlesex within the past five years (new households). 12% of households have lived in Middlesex for 5-9 years; 30%, for 10-19 years; and 47%, for 20 or more years (long-term households). | The 11% of new households is about average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 13% in both Monmouth and Bergen and 9% in Pittsburgh. | Compared to longer-term households (live in Middlesex for five years or more), new households are (were) more likely to live in the South, be age 65-74, be non-elderly couple households, be retired, be Conservative, not be asked to donate to the Jewish Federation in the past year, and not donate to the Jewish Federation in the past year. | The 47% of long-term households is about average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 73% in Pittsburgh, 56% in Bergen, and 46% in Monmouth. | 19% of households have lived at their current address for 0-4 years; 20%, for 5-9 years; 34%, for 10-19 years; and 27%, for 20 or more years. | The 19% at their current address for 0-4 years is the lowest of about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 26% in both Monmouth and New York and 25% in Bergen. Length of Residence in Middlesex 32 Geographic Profile Migration | 5% (1,152 households) of households will definitely move (either within Middlesex or out of Middlesex) within the next three years. 6% (1,536 households) of households will probably move; 36%, probably not; 49%, definitely not; and 4% don’t know. In total, 11% of households will definitely or probably move within the next three years. The 11% is the fourth lowest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 23% in Bergen and 17% in Monmouth. The 11% compares to 32% nationally. | The 7% of households who will definitely or probably move out of Middlesex within the next three years is about average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 10% in Bergen and 6% in Monmouth. | The 3% (696 households) of households who will definitely move out of Middlesex within the next three years is about average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 4.2% in Bergen and 2.5% in Monmouth. | The 3% definitely moving out of Middlesex within the next three years suggests a loss of an average of 232 households per year. Some portion of the 4% probably moving out of Middlesex (an average of 288 households per year) will actually move. In total, an average of between 232 and 520 households will move out of Middlesex each year within the next three years (the out-migration rate). An average of 523 households in Middlesex moved to Middlesex each year during the past five years (the in-migration rate). Assuming that the current rate of in-migration continues for the next few years, these data suggest that the number of Jewish households in Middlesex will probably not change significantly during the next few years as a result of migration into and out of Middlesex. Probability of Moving Within the Next Three Years (Either Within or Out of Middlesex) 33 Geographic Profile Location of Adult Children | Respondents age 50 and over were asked whether they have adult children who have established their own homes, and if so, whether these children live in Middlesex (households with local adult children). The interest in this information relates to the support system that adult children can provide for their parents, particularly in times of poor health or financial crisis. Adult children living in Middlesex presumably will provide such a support system. The presence of adult children living in Middlesex also indicates the existence of multi-generational families. Such families generally show a greater level of attachment to the local community and local institutions. | 25% of households in which the respondent is age 50 or over have at least one adult child who has established his/her own home in Middlesex; 43% have adult children who have established their own homes outside Middlesex but within 90 minutes; 15% have adult children who have established their own homes further than 90 minutes from Middlesex; and 17% have no adult children who have established their own homes. These data suggest that at least 68% of households in which the respondent is age 50 or over will have a local support system as they age. | The 25% of households with local adult children is well below average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 48% in Pittsburgh, 38% in Monmouth, and 35% in Bergen. However, note that the 25% does not include the 43% of households with adult children outside Middlesex but within 90 minutes of Middlesex. | An additional 11% of households in which the respondent is age 50 or over have adult children Location of Adult Children (Households in Which the Respondent Is Age 50 or Over) 34 Geographic Profile living in their household, for a total of 79% of households with adult children currently living in Middlesex or within 90 minutes of Middlesex. | 16% of adult children from households in which the respondent is age 50 or over who have established their own homes live in Middlesex. The 16% is the fourth lowest of about 25 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 39% in Pittsburgh and 29% in Bergen. However, note that the 16% does not include 46% of adult children who have established their own homes outside Middlesex but within 90 minutes of Middlesex. Geographic Location of Employment | 55% of respondents who are employed full time or part time work mostly in Middlesex; 30%, elsewhere in New Jersey; 13%, in New York; and 1%, elsewhere in the United States. Attended Rutgers-New Brunswick Geographic Location of Employment (Respondents) | In 18% (3,584 households) of households in which the respondent or spouse (if any) attended college, either one or both attended Rutgers-New Brunswick. 35 Demographic Profile–Age he age and sex distribution of a population is among the most important demographic indicators. It is a major determinant of the types of programs a Jewish community must offer. Age is related to everything from levels of religious observance to synagogue membership and levels of philanthropy. T | The 18% of persons age 0-17 in Jewish households in Middlesex is about average among about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 27% in Bergen, 25% in Monmouth, 23% in New York, and 21% in Pittsburgh. The 18% compares to 20% nationally, 23% of all residents (both Jewish and non-Jewish) of Middlesex as of 2007, and 25% of all Americans (both Jewish and non-Jewish) as of 2007. | 3,000 children age 0-5 live in Jewish households (of whom 83% (2,496 children) are being raised Jewish), as do 3,905 children age 6-12 (of whom 88% (3,432 children) are being raised Jewish) and 3,056 children age 13-17 (of whom 80% (2,444 children) are being raised Jewish). An average of 487 children are born each year to persons in Jewish households in Middlesex. | The 36% of persons age 65 and over in Jewish households is the seventh highest of about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 19% in Monmouth and 18% in each of New York, Pittsburgh, and Bergen. The 36% compares to 16% nationally, 12% of all residents (both Jewish and non-Jewish) of Middlesex as of 2007, and 13% of all Americans (both Jewish and non-Jewish) as of 2007. The 20,319 persons age 65 and over in Jewish households represent 21% of the almost 95,000 persons age 65 and over in Middlesex. Age Distribution of Persons in Jewish Households 36 Demographic Profile–Age Table 3 Age and Sex Distribution of Persons in Jewish Households Percentage Number Age Group Male Female All Male Female All 0-5 2.6% 2.7% 5.3% 1,472 1,528 3,000 6 - 12 4.1 2.8 6.9 2,321 1,585 3,905 13 - 17 2.9 2.5 5.4 1,641 1,415 3,056 18 - 24 3.7 3.1 6.8 2,094 1,755 3,849 25 - 34 2.3 2.5 4.8 1,302 1,415 2,717 35 - 44 3.9 4.7 8.6 2,207 2,660 4,868 45 - 54 6.1 6.5 12.6 3,453 3,679 7,132 55 - 64 6.3 7.7 14.0 3,566 4,358 7,924 65 - 74 5.8 7.5 13.3 3,283 4,245 7,528 75 - 84 7.5 9.7 17.2 4,245 5,490 9,735 85 and over 2.4 3.0 5.4 1,358 1,698 3,056 47.4% 52.6% 100.0% 26,828 29,772 56,600 Total Cumulative Age Categories 0 - 17 9.6% 8.0% 17.6% 5,434 4,528 9,961 18 and over 37.8% 44.6% 82.4% 21,394 25,244 46,639 18 - 34 6.0% 5.6% 11.6% 3,396 3,170 6,566 35 - 49 6.7% 7.5% 14.2% 3,793 4,245 8,038 50 - 64 9.5% 11.4% 20.9% 5,376 6,452 11,829 65 and over 15.7% 20.2% 35.9% 8,886 11,433 20,319 75 and over 9.9% 12.7% 22.6% 5,603 7,188 12,791 Median Age 1 52.3 57.1 54.9 1 Median age in years. | The number of children age 0-4 in Jewish households (2,434 children) is lower than the number of children age 5-9 (2,717 children), which, in turn, is lower than the number of children age 10-14 (2,830 children), which, in turn, is lower than the number of persons age 15-19 (2,943 children). This suggests a decreasing birth rate for persons in Jewish households in Middlesex over the past 20 years. 37 Demographic Profile–Age Age Distribution of Persons in Jewish Households by Geographic Area North (Median Age = 52.1 years) Highland Park/South Edison (Median Age = 31.1 years) 38 Demographic Profile–Age Age Distribution of Persons in Jewish Households by Geographic Area – continued Central (Median Age = 45.7 years) South (Median Age = 75.3 years) 39 Demographic Profile–Household Size he average household size of Jewish households in Middlesex is 2.36 persons. The 2.36 average household size is below average among about 55 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 2.79 in Monmouth, 2.75 in Bergen, and 2.59 in both New York and Pittsburgh. The 2.36 compares to 2.31 nationally, 2.80 for all households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) in Middlesex as of 2007, and 2.61 for all American households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) as of 2007. T | The 26% of one-person households is about average among about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 28% in New York, 23% in Pittsburgh, and 20% in both Bergen and Monmouth. The 26% compares to 30% nationally, 23% of all households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) in Middlesex as of 2007, and 27% of all American households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) as of 2007. | The 19% of households with four or more persons is below average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 33% in Monmouth, 31% in Bergen, 26% in Pittsburgh, and 24% in New York. The 19% compares to 19% nationally, 29% of all households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) in Middlesex as of 2000, and 25% of all American households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) as of 2000. Household Size (Persons in Jewish Households) 40 Demographic Profile–Household Structure T he household structure of Jewish households in Middlesex is determined by a combination of age, sex, marital status, and the relationship between persons in the household. Household Structure Households with Children | The 19% of married households with children age 0-17 at home is below average among about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 33% in Bergen, 32% in Monmouth, and 26% in both New York and Pittsburgh. The 19% compares to 19% nationally, 29% of all households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) in Middlesex as of 2007, and 21% of all American households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) as of 2007. | The 1% of single parent households with children age 0-17 at home is about average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 4% in Pittsburgh, 3% in Bergen, 2% in New York, and 1% in Monmouth. The 1% compares to 3% nationally and 8% of all American households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) as of 2000. 41 Demographic Profile–Household Structure Table 4 Household Structure Household Structure Percentage Number Households with Children Age 0-17 at Home Married Couple 18.7% 4,488 Unmarried Couple 0.2 48 Single Parent 1.4 336 Same-Sex Couple 0.0 0 Other 0.5 120 20.8% 4,992 # Total Households with Children Age 0-17 at Home Households with Only Adult Children Age 18-29 at Home Married Couple 8.0% 1,920 Unmarried Couple 0.0 0 Single Parent 1.0 240 Same-Sex Couple 0.1 24 9.1% 2,184 # Total Households with Only Adult Children Age 18-29 at Home Married Households—No Children at Home Under Age 35 0.3% 72 Age 35 - 49 1.0 240 Age 50 - 64 9.5 2,280 9 Total Non-Elderly Couple Households 10.8% 2,592 Age 65 - 74 12.2% 2,928 15.7 3,768 9 Total Elderly Couple Households 27.9% 6,696 # Total Married Households–No Children at Home 38.7% 9,288 Age 75 and over 42 Demographic Profile–Household Structure Table 4 Household Structure Household Structure Percentage Number 2.9% 696 3.1 744 9 Total Non-Elderly Single Households 6.0% 1,440 Male Age 65 - 74 1.0% 240 Female Age 65 - 74 4.0 960 Male Age 75 and over 2.1 504 Female Age 75 and over 13.2 3,168 9 Total Elderly Single Households 20.3% 4,872 # Total Single Person Households 26.3% 6,312 Unmarried Couple 1.0% 240 Roommate/Friend 0.3 72 Parent Living with Adult Children Age 30 and over 2.7 648 Same-Sex Couple 0.1 24 Other 1.0 240 5.1% 1,224 100.0% 24,000 Single Person Households Male under Age 65 Female under Age 65 Other Household Structures # Total Other Household Structures Grand Total Married Households–No Children at Home | The 39% of married households with no children at home is above average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 30% in both Bergen and Monmouth, 27% in Pittsburgh, and 25% in New York. The 39% compares to 26% nationally and 30% of all American households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) as of 2000. | The 0% of married households under age 35 with no children at home is the lowest of about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 3% in New York and 2% in each of Monmouth, Bergen, and Pittsburgh. 43 Demographic Profile–Household Structure | The 11% of married households age 35-64 with no children at home is about average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 13% in both Monmouth and Bergen, 12% in Pittsburgh, and 9% in New York. | The 28% of married households age 65 and over with no children at home is the fifth highest of about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 16% in Bergen, 15% in Monmouth, and 13% in both New York and Pittsburgh. Single Person Households | The 6% of single person households under age 65 is the fourth lowest of about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 14% in New York, 11% in Pittsburgh, 8% in Bergen, and 6% in Monmouth. The 6% compares to 15% of all households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) in Middlesex as of 2007 and 18% of all American households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) as of 2007. | The 3% of single male households age 65 and over is about average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 4% in New York and 3% in each of Monmouth, Bergen, and Pittsburgh. | The 17% of single female households age 65 and over is the third highest of about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 11% in Monmouth, 10% in both New York and Bergen, and 9% in Pittsburgh. Living Arrangements of Children | The 33% (2,265 children) of children age 0-12 in Jewish households who live in households with working parents (households in which both parents, or the parent in a single parent household, are employed full time) is about average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 32% in Bergen and 29% in Monmouth. The percentage of children age 0-12 living in households with working parents helps to determine the need for after school programs. | The 6% (558 children) of children age 0-17 in Jewish households who live in single parent households (households with one parent and children age 0-17 at home) is about average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 7% in Bergen, 5% in New York, and 3% in Monmouth. The 6% compares to 25% of all White American children (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 0-17 as of 2000. | The 19% (1,873 children) of children age 0-17 in Jewish households who live in households in which an adult is or was divorced is the third lowest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 24% in Bergen and 16% in Monmouth. The adult may or may not be the parent of the child. 44 Demographic Profile–Household Structure Living Arrangements of the Elderly | The 24% (4,872 persons) of persons age 65 and over in Jewish households who live alone is about average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 29% in New York, 26% in both Monmouth and Pittsburgh, and 24% in Bergen. The 24% compares to 22% of all residents (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 65 and over of Middlesex as of 2007 and 27% of all Americans (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 65 and over as of 2007. | The 29% (3,672 persons) of persons age 75 and over in Jewish households who live alone is about average among about 40 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 37% in New York, 33% in Monmouth, 32% in Pittsburgh, and 29% in Bergen. Household Structures by Geographic Area – continued on next page 45 Demographic Profile–Household Structure Household Structures by Geographic Area – continued 46 Demographic Profile–Marital Status he 70% of adults in Jewish households in Middlesex who are currently married is about average among about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 73% in Monmouth, 72% in Bergen, 59% in Pittsburgh, and 57% in New York. The 70% compares to 54% of all residents (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 15 and over of Middlesex as of 2007 and 50% of all Americans (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 15 and over as of 2007. T | The 14% single, never married is about average among about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 21% in New York, 19% in Pittsburgh, and 15% in both Monmouth and Bergen. The 14% compares to 30% of all residents (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 15 and over of Middlesex as of 2007 and 31% of all Americans (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 15 and over as of 2007. | The divorce rate is the number of divorced adults per 1,000 married adults. The divorce rate of 57 for adults in Jewish households is the seventh lowest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 75 in Bergen and 50 in Monmouth. The 57 compares to 149 for all residents (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 15 and over of Middlesex as of 2007 and 209 for all Americans (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 15 and over as of 2007. | The 12% currently widowed is about average among about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 13% in both Pittsburgh and New York, 8% in Monmouth, and 7% in Bergen. The 12% compares to 6% of all residents (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 15 and over of Middlesex as of 2007 and 6% of all Americans (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 15 and over as of 2007. | 9% of adults in Jewish households are or have been divorced; 13% are or have been widowed; 86% are or have been married; and 7% are on their second or higher marriage. Marital Status (Adults in Jewish Households) 47 Demographic Profile–Marital Status Table 5 Marital Status by Age for Adult Males in Jewish Households Marital Status Under 35 35-49 50-64 65-74 75+ 65+ Married for First Time 21.3% 79.3% 75.2% 76.2% 78.9% 77.9% Single, Never Married 78.0 10.1 6.1 2.0 0.4 1.0 Divorced, Remarried 0.0 5.2 11.3 8.6 3.9 5.6 Widowed, Remarried 0.0 0.9 1.1 1.3 3.9 3.0 Currently Divorced 0.7 4.5 5.3 5.1 1.8 3.0 Currently Widowed 0.0 0.0 1.0 5.4 10.5 8.6 Separated 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.4 Live as Same-Sex Couple 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.4 0.0 0.5 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total Table 6 Marital Status by Age for Adult Females in Jewish Households Marital Status Under 35 35-49 50-64 65-74 75+ 65+ Married for First Time 30.3% 78.3% 70.7% 66.6% 45.9% 53.6% Single, Never Married 65.9 10.0 4.9 1.5 0.9 1.1 Divorced, Remarried 0.0 6.4 10.1 3.7 1.3 2.2 Widowed, Remarried 0.0 0.0 0.5 1.8 2.3 2.1 Currently Divorced 3.8 2.7 8.0 4.6 2.2 3.1 Currently Widowed 0.0 1.5 4.6 21.3 47.4 37.7 Separated 0.0 0.5 0.8 0.5 0.0 0.2 Live as Same-Sex Couple 0.0 0.6 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total Single Jewish Adults | 30% (13,001 adults) of Jewish adults in Jewish households are currently single. 34% (4,368 adults) of single Jewish adults are under age 35; 8% (1,001 adults), age 35-49; 14% (1,794 adults), age 50-64; 12% (1,560 adults), age 65-74; and 33% (4,277 adults), age 75 and over. 66% of single Jewish adults are female. 48 Demographic Profile–Secular Education nly 1% of adults age 25 and over in Jewish households in Middlesex do not have a high school degree. 66% of adults age 25 and over in Jewish households (74% of males age 25 and over and 60% of females age 25 and over) have a four-year college degree or higher, including 28% with a graduate degree. O | The 66% with a four-year college degree or higher is about average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 76% in Bergen, 70% in Pittsburgh, 65% in New York, and 58% in Monmouth. The 66% compares to 37% of all adults (both Jewish and nonJewish) age 25 and over in Middlesex as of 2007 and 28% of all American adults (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 25 and over as of 2007. | The 28% with a graduate degree is about average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 38% in Pittsburgh, 37% in New York, 35% in Bergen, and 22% in Monmouth. The 28% compares to 15% of all adults (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 25 and over in Middlesex as of 2007 and 10% of all American adults (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 25 and over as of 2007. | 20% of adults age 25 and over in Jewish households have a Master’s degree; 4%, a doctoral degree; 2%, a medical or dental degree; and 1%, a law degree. There are about 644 doctors, 86 dentists, and 516 lawyers age 25 and over living in Jewish households. Secular Education (Adults Age 25 and Over in Jewish Households) 49 Demographic Profile–Secular Education Table 7 Secular Education by Age for Adult Males in Jewish Households Highest Degree Earned 18-24 25-34 35-49 50-64 65-74 75+ 65+ High School Degree or Less 5.0% 3.2% 7.6% 7.2% 13.6% 26.5% Some College/ 2-Year College Degree 68.7 11.1 10.1 10.2 11.0 17.2 15.0 4-Year College Degree 25.8 45.5 48.8 42.9 42.5 34.9 37.6 Graduate Degree 0.5 40.2 33.5 39.7 32.9 21.4 25.6 21.8% Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total 4-Year College Degree or Higher 26.3% 85.7% 82.3% 82.6% 75.4% 56.3% 63.2% Table 8 Secular Education by Age for Adult Females in Jewish Households Highest Degree Earned 18-24 25-34 High School Degree or Less 4.0% 16.4% 10.9% 11.6% 24.1% 44.9% Some College/ 2-Year College Degree 64.1 9.4 6.1 12.9 20.4 21.6 21.1 4-Year College Degree 29.2 45.8 47.8 43.9 33.4 21.9 26.2 Graduate Degree 2.7 28.4 35.2 31.6 22.1 11.6 15.4 Total 35-49 50-64 65-74 75+ 65+ 37.3% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total 4-Year College Degree or Higher 31.9% 74.2% 83.0% 75.5% 55.5% 33.5% 41.6% | Adults age 18-24 in Jewish households are not included in the results for adults age 25 and over on the previous page. 50 Demographic Profile–Employment Status he 37% of adults in Jewish households in Middlesex who are employed full time is the seventh lowest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 50% in Monmouth and 49% in Bergen. T | The 41% retired is the seventh highest of about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 25% in New York, 24% in both Monmouth and Pittsburgh, and 21% in Bergen. | The percentage of adults in Jewish households who are in the labor force is the sum of the percentages of adults who are employed full time, employed part time, and unemployed at the time of the survey. The 48% in the labor force is the seventh lowest of about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 63% in New York, 62% in Bergen, 60% in Monmouth, and 59% in Pittsburgh. The 48% compares to 66% of all residents (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 16 and over of Middlesex as of 2007 and 64% of all Americans (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 16 and over as of 2007. The data for all residents of Middlesex and all Americans exclude employment in the military. | The unemployment rate is the percentage of adults in Jewish households who are unemployed at the time of the survey divided by the percentage of adults in the labor force. The 4% unemployment rate is about average among about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 11% in New York, 2% in Monmouth, and 1% in both Bergen and Pittsburgh. The 4% compares to 5% for all residents (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 16 and over of Middlesex as of 2007 and 6% for all Americans (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 16 and over as of 2007. Employment Status (Adults in Jewish Households) 51 Demographic Profile–Employment Status Table 9 Employment Status by Age for Adult Males in Jewish Households Employment Status Under 35 35-49 50-64 65-74 75+ 65+ Employed Full Time 43.1% 96.4% 77.0% 20.9% 2.3% 9.2% Employed Part Time 3.3 0.7 5.3 14.9 5.9 9.2 Unemployed 4.0 1.7 3.8 3.4 0.0 1.3 Retired 0.0 0.6 11.8 60.2 91.4 79.8 Homemaker 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Student 49.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Disabled 0.0 0.6 2.1 0.6 0.0 0.2 Volunteer 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.3 Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% In the Labor Force 50.4% 98.8% 86.1% 39.2% 8.2% 19.7% Table 10 Employment Status by Age for Adult Females in Jewish Households Employment Status Under 35 35-49 50-64 65-74 75+ 65+ Employed Full Time 31.4% 47.0% 56.3% 10.0% 0.0% 3.7% Employed Part Time 9.9 27.0 14.6 4.8 3.1 3.8 Unemployed 5.2 3.9 2.0 0.5 0.0 0.2 Retired 0.0 1.1 18.4 82.2 95.7 90.6 Homemaker 6.4 18.8 5.2 2.0 1.2 1.5 Student 47.1 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Disabled 0.0 1.1 3.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 Volunteer 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.2 Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% In the Labor Force 46.5% 77.9% 72.9% 15.3% 3.1% 7.7% 52 Demographic Profile–Housing Value espondents in Jewish households in Middlesex who own their homes were asked to estimate the value of their homes. Housing values are based upon respondents' perceptions and may not represent actual selling prices. Some respondents have a reasonable idea of the selling prices of similar homes in their neighborhoods. Some respondents may remember what they paid for their homes, but are unaware of changes in the housing market. 18% of respondents in homeowner households were unwilling or unable to provide an estimate of the value of their homes using the detailed categories queried. R | The $372,000 median housing value is above average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to $474,000 in Bergen and $284,000 in Monmouth. The $372,000 compares to $392,000 for all homes (both Jewish-owned and non-Jewish-owned) in Middlesex as of 2007 and $205,000 for all American homes (both Jewish-owned and non-Jewish-owned) as of 2007. The comparisons with other Jewish communities should be treated with caution because, although the data are adjusted for inflation to current dollars, cost of living variations exist from community to community and housing values in some cities have changed at rates very different from the consumer price index changes used to adjust for inflation. | The median housing value is $377,000 in the North, $449,000 in Highland Park/South Edison, $432,000 in the Central, and $293,000 in the South. | The median housing value is $467,000 for households with children, $433,000 for households with only adult children, and $435,000 for non-elderly couple households, compared to $331,000 for non-elderly single households, $318,000 for elderly couple households, and $246,000 for elderly single households. Housing Value (Homeowner Households) 53 Demographic Profile–Household Income espondents in Jewish households in Middlesex were asked their household income before taxes in 2007. 75% of respondents answered this question using the detailed income categories queried. The type of bias introduced by the lack of a response from 25% of respondents is unknown. Not all 25% of respondents refused to answer this question. In some cases, particularly when an adult child was interviewed, the respondent simply did not know the household income. R | The comparisons with other Jewish communities of median household income should be treated with caution because, although the data are adjusted for inflation to 2007 dollars, cost of living variations exist from community to community. The comparisons with other Jewish communities of annual household income by income category should be treated with caution because the data have not been adjusted for inflation and cost of living variations exist from community to community. | The $90,000 median household income is about average among about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to $125,000 in Bergen, $100,000 in Monmouth, $82,000 in Pittsburgh, and $70,000 in New York. The $90,000 compares to $62,000 nationally, $75,000 for all households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) in Middlesex as of 2007, and $51,000 for all American households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) as of 2007. | The $141,000 median household income of households with children is the fourth highest of about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to $169,000 in Bergen, $123,000 in Monmouth, $112,000 in Pittsburgh, and $101,000 in New York. | The 44% earning an annual household income of $100,000 and over is the fourth highest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities that have completed studies since 2000 and compares to 52% in Bergen, 32% in Pittsburgh, and 31% in New York. The 44% compares to 21% nationally, 35% of all households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) in Middlesex as of 2007, and 20% of all American households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) as of 2007. | The 12% earning an annual household income under $25,000 is about average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities that have completed studies since 2000 and compares to 21% in Pittsburgh and 8% in Bergen. The 12% compares to 22% nationally, 14% of all households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) in Middlesex as of 2007, and 24% of all American households (both Jewish and non-Jewish) as of 2007. Annual Household Income 54 Demographic Profile–Household Income Median Household Income (in thousands) 55 Demographic Profile–Household Income Low Income Households | The 12% (2,904 households) of households who reported a household income under $25,000 before taxes in 2007 are considered to be low income households. | 62% of low income households live in the South, 29% live in the Central, 7% live in the North, and 2% live in Highland Park/South Edison. | 48% of low income households are elderly single households, 35% are elderly couple households, 8% are non-elderly single households, 1% are households with children, 1% are households with only adult children, 1% are non-elderly couple households, and 6% are other household structures. | 41% of Jewish respondents in low income households identify as Conservative, 34% identify as Just Jewish, 20% identify as Reform, and 6% identify as Orthodox. | 45% of low income households are synagogue members; 32% are Jewish organization members. | 52% of low income households did not donate to the Jewish Federation in the past year, 45% donated under $100, and 3% donated $100-$500. Poverty Level Households | The 2.0% (480 households) of households who reported a household income that was below the Federal poverty levels is about average among about 25 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 10.3% in New York and 1.3% in Bergen. The 2.0% compares to 5.0% nationally. | The 1.2% of persons in Jewish households who live below the Federal poverty levels compares to 6.7% of all residents (both Jewish and non-Jewish) of Middlesex as of 2007 and 13.0% of all Americans (both Jewish and non-Jewish) as of 2007. | The 3.1% (413 households) of households with elderly persons who reported a household income that was below the Federal poverty levels is about average among about 20 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 2.1% in Bergen. The 3.1% compares to 9.0% nationally. | The 3.0% of persons age 65 and over in Jewish households who live below the Federal poverty levels compares to 8.2% of all residents (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 65 and over of Middlesex as of 2007 and 9.5% of all Americans (both Jewish and non-Jewish) age 65 and over as of 2007. 56 Federal Poverty Levels Household Size 2006 Federal Poverty Level 1 $10,400 2 $14,000 3 $15,000 4 $21,200 5 $25,000 Religious Profile–Jewish Identification ewish respondents in Middlesex were asked whether they considered themselves Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Reform, or Just Jewish. 7% (1,752 households) of respondents identify as Orthodox; 35% (8,280 households), Conservative; 29% (6,960 households), Reform; and 29% (7,008 households), Just Jewish. J | The 7% Orthodox is about average among about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 17% in New York, 12% in Bergen, 9% in Monmouth, and 7% in Pittsburgh. The 7% compares to 8% nationally. | The 35% Conservative is the seventh highest of about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 37% in Monmouth, 32% in Pittsburgh, 31% in Bergen, and 25% in New York. The 35% compares to 25% nationally. | The 29% Reform is below average among about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 41% in Pittsburgh, 27% in New York, 26% in Monmouth, and 25% in Bergen. The 29% compares to 35% nationally. | The 29% Just Jewish is about average among about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 31% in New York, 30% in Bergen, 28% in Monmouth, and 18% in Pittsburgh. The 29% compares to 30% nationally. Jewish Identification (Jewish Respondents) 57 Religious Profile–Jewish Identification | In the North, 2% of respondents identify as Orthodox; 29%, Conservative; 35%, Reform; and 35%, Just Jewish. | In Highland Park/South Edison, 49% of respondents identify as Orthodox; 24%, Conservative; 10%, Reform; and 18%, Just Jewish. | In the Central, 5% of respondents identify as Orthodox; 30%, Conservative; 29%, Reform; and 35%, Just Jewish. | In the South, 3% of respondents identify as Orthodox; 42%, Conservative; 31%, Reform; and 24%, Just Jewish. | In households with children, 20% of respondents identify as Orthodox; 22%, Conservative; 31%, Reform; and 27%, Just Jewish. | In households who donated $500 and over to the Jewish Federation in the past year, 27% of respondents identify as Orthodox; 38%, Conservative; 21%, Reform; and 15%, Just Jewish. Jewish Identification by Age of Respondent (Jewish Respondents) 58 Religious Profile–Practices verall, 91% of Jewish households in Middlesex contain a member who observes at least one of the following religious practices: always or usually participate in a Passover Seder, always or usually light Chanukah candles, always or usually light Sabbath candles, or keep a kosher home. The 91% is the second highest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 93% in Monmouth, 91% in Bergen, 83% in Pittsburgh, and 81% in New York. 96% of households are involved in Jewish activity in that they either ì observe at least one of these practices, or í contain a Jewish respondent who attends synagogue services at least once per year (other than for special occasions), or î are members of a synagogue, Jewish Community Center, or Jewish organization, or ï donated to a Jewish charity in the past year. The 96% is the second highest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 97% in Monmouth, 96% in Bergen, 91% in Pittsburgh, and 87% in New York. O | Among the comparison Jewish communities, Middlesex has the second highest percentage of households who always or usually light Chanukah candles (84%) and who have a mezuzah on the front door (83%). It has the third highest percentage of respondents who keep kosher in and out of the home (12%) and the fourth highest percentage of households who keep a kosher home (23%). It has the fourth highest percentage of respondents who refrain from using electricity on the Sabbath (6%). It has the fifth highest percentage of households who always or usually participate in a Passover Seder (83%) and an average percentage of households who always or usually light Sabbath candles (25%). | 15,837 persons live in Jewish households who keep a kosher home, and 9,670 persons in Jewish households keep kosher in and out of the home (assuming that all persons in households in which the respondent keeps kosher in and out of the home also keep kosher in and out of the home). The respondent defined “kosher” for himself/herself. | Among the comparison Jewish communities, Middlesex has the second lowest percentage of households who always, usually, or sometimes have a Christmas tree in the home (10%). Religious Practices 59 Religious Profile–Practices Table 11 Religious Practices Comparison with Other Communities Percentage Yes Percentage Always/Usually Mezuzah on Kosher Passover Chanukah Sabbath Xmas Front Door Home Seder Candles Candles Tree Community Year Middlesex 2008 83% 23% 83% 84% 25% 7% Bergen 2001 76% 29% 85% 83% 32% 12% Monmouth 1997 81% 26% 86% 87% 25% 11% New York 2002 NA 28% 77% 76% 31% 13% Pittsburgh 2002 NA 19% 75% 70% 25% NA Atlantic County 2004 77% 10% 78% 77% 14% 15% Cincinnati 2008 NA 19% 76% 76% 29% NA Denver 2007 NA 13% 57% 66% 19% NA Detroit 2005 77% 22% 82% 77% 29% 11% Hartford 2000 72% 17% 78% 78% 25% 16% Jacksonville 2002 64% 10% 63% 68% 24% 17% Las Vegas 2005 55% 5% 50% 64% 11% 21% Lehigh Valley 2007 68% 11% 70% 73% 22% 21% Miami 2004 82% 22% 79% 77% 34% 8% Minneapolis 2004 65% 13% 78% 78% 26% 16% Portland (ME) 2007 50% 3% 60% 70% 13% 36% Rhode Island 2002 67% 16% 73% 76% 21% 22% San Antonio 2007 68% 10% 69% 70% 20% 18% Sarasota 2001 69% 6% 69% 65% 17% 12% S Palm Beach 2005 87% 14% 80% 77% 22% 5% St. Paul 2004 67% 14% 76% 76% 25% 18% Tidewater 2001 68% 10% 75% 77% 22% 22% Tucson 2002 58% 11% 61% 68% 17% 18% Washington 2003 55% 12% 77% 70% 19% 18% W Palm Beach 2005 83% 9% 79% 76% 17% 10% Westport 2000 62% 6% 79% 78% 17% 21% 60 Religious Profile–Practices Religious Practices by Age of Head of Household Mezuzah on Front Door Participate in a Seder (Always + Usually) Light Chanukah Candles (Always + Usually) Light Sabbath Candles (Always + Usually) 61 Religious Profile–Practices Religious Practices by Age of Head of Household – continued Keep a Kosher Home Kosher In/Out of Home Refrain from Using Electricity on the Sabbath Have a Christmas Tree (Always + Usually + Sometimes) 62 Religious Profile–Practices Religious Practices in Households with Children (Always + Usually or Yes) (Christmas Tree is Always + Usually + Sometimes) Religious Practices by Trips to Israel (Always + Usually or Yes) (Christmas Tree is Always + Usually + Sometimes) 63 Religious Profile–Practices | Intermarried households are less likely to observe Jewish religious practices than are in-married households. (See the “Introduction” section of this Summary Report for definitions of the terms in-marriage and intermarriage.) For example, 91% of in-married households always or usually light Chanukah candles, compared to 67% of intermarried households. Religious Practices by Type of Marriage (Always + Usually or Yes) (Christmas Tree is Always + Usually + Sometimes) Cultural Connections | 37% of Jewish respondents attended a theater, music or dance program in the past year because it had Jewish content. 64 Religious Profile–Synagogue Attendance he 25% of Jewish respondents in Middlesex who never attend synagogue services (or attend only for special occasions, such as weddings and b’nai mitzvah ceremonies) is about average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 30% in New York and 23% in each of Pittsburgh, Bergen, and Monmouth. The 25% compares to 40% nationally. T | The 22% who attend services once per month or more is about average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 33% in Pittsburgh, 29% in both Bergen and New York, and 24% in Monmouth. The 22% compares to 24% nationally. | 20% of male respondents attend services once per month or more, compared to 23% of female respondents. | 58% of respondents in synagogue non-member households attend services at least once per year (other than for special occasions). | 46% of respondents in synagogue member households attend services once per month or more, compared to 3% of respondents in synagogue non-member households. | Respondents in households in which an adult visited Israel on a Jewish trip (39%) and respondents in households in which an adult visited Israel on a general trip (24%) are more likely to attend services once per month or more than are respondents in households in which no adult visited Israel (12%). Synagogue Attendance (Jewish Respondents) 65 Religious Profile–Synagogue Attendance Synagogue Attendance by Various Population Subgroups (Jewish Respondents) 66 Religious Profile–Synagogue Attendance Synagogue Attendance by Age of Respondent (Jewish Respondents) 67 Religious Profile–Types of Marriage ntermarriage has developed into one of the most important issues for the Jewish community and has clearly reached significant proportions in most American Jewish communities. As a result, intermarriage must be taken into account in local Jewish community planning. Although some intermarried couples are contributing significantly to the Jewish community, it is also clear that when measures of “Jewishness” for intermarried and in-married couples are compared in this and other community studies, intermarriage is affecting Jewish continuity. I Intermarriage rates may be reported based on married couples or individuals. As an illustration, imagine that two weddings occur. In wedding one, Moshe (a Jew) marries Rachel (also a Jew). In wedding two, Abraham (a Jew) marries Christine (a non-Jew). Thus, there are two married couples, one of whom is intermarried. In this illustration, the couples intermarriage rate is 50%. Another method of calculating an intermarriage rate, however, is to note that there are three Jews (Moshe, Rachel, and Abraham) and one of the three (Abraham) is married to a non-Jew (Christine). In this illustration, the individual intermarriage rate is 33%. | The Middlesex Jewish community contains 16,224 married couples. 84% (13,628 married couples) of married couples involve in-marriages between two persons born or raised Jewish, 2% (373 married couples) involve conversionary in-marriages, and 14% (2,223 married couples) involve intermarriages. (See the “Introduction” section of this Summary Report for definitions of the terms in-marriage, conversionary in-marriage, and intermarriage.) The individual intermarriage rate is 7%. Comparisons with Other Jewish Communities | The 92% of persons in Jewish households who consider themselves Jewish or, in the case of children, are being raised Jewish is the third highest of about 55 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 92% in Bergen, 90% in Monmouth, 85% in New York, and 78% in Pittsburgh. The 92% compares to 78% nationally. Types of Marriage (Couples Rate) 68 Religious Profile–Types of Marriage | The 14% couples intermarriage rate is the second lowest of about 55 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 36% in Pittsburgh, 22% in New York, and 17% in both Bergen and Monmouth. The 14% compares to 48% nationally. | The 26% of married couples in households under age 35 who are intermarried is the fourth lowest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 59% in Pittsburgh, 32% in Monmouth, 25% in Bergen, and 24% in New York. The 26% compares to 59% nationally. | The 27% of married couples in households age 35-49 who are intermarried is the seventh lowest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 48% in Pittsburgh, 30% in New York, 24% in Bergen, and 22% in Monmouth. The 27% compares to 58% nationally. | The 15% of married couples in households age 50-64 who are intermarried is the fifth lowest of about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 33% in Pittsburgh, 21% in New York, 12% in Bergen, and 10% in Monmouth. The 15% compares to 46% nationally. | The 7% of married couples in households age 65-74 who are intermarried is the eighth lowest of about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 13% in New York, 12% in Pittsburgh, 11% in Bergen, and 7% in Monmouth. The 7% compares to 24% nationally. | The 3% of married couples in households age 75 and over who are intermarried is the third lowest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 12% in Pittsburgh, 11% in Bergen, 10% in Monmouth, and 6% in New York. The 3% compares to 19% nationally. | The 5% of married couples in households age 65 and over who are intermarried is the fourth lowest of about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 12% in Pittsburgh, 11% in Bergen, 10% in New York, and 8% in Monmouth. Geographic/Demographic Profile | 38% of married couples in the North are intermarried, compared to 20% of married couples in the Central, 4% in the South, and 2% in Highland Park/South Edison. | 23% of married couples in households with children, 20% of married couples in non-elderly couple households, and 17% of married couples in households with only adult children are intermarried, compared to 4% of married couples in elderly couple households. Religious Profile | 27% of married couples in Just Jewish households are intermarried, compared to 15% of married couples in Reform households, 6% of married couples in Conservative households, and 0% of married couples in Conservative households. 69 Religious Profile–Types of Marriage Table 12 Intermarriage (Couples Intermarriage Rate) Comparison with Other Communities Community Year % Community Year % Portland (ME) 2007 61% Harrisburg 1994 33% San Francisco 2004 55% Orlando 1993 32% Seattle 2000 55% Chicago 2000 30% Denver 2007 53% Rochester 1999 30% Atlanta 2006 50% St. Petersburg 1994 29% Las Vegas 2005 48% Milwaukee 1996 28% Charlotte 1997 47% Martin-St. Lucie 1999 27% Boston 2005 46% Atlantic County 2004 26% Tucson 2002 46% Buffalo 1995 26% York 1999 46% St. Louis 1995 25% Columbus 2001 45% Hartford 2000 23% Howard County 1999 45% Los Angeles 1997 23% San Diego 2003 44% Cleveland 1996 23% Jacksonville 2002 44% New York 2002 22% Tidewater 2001 43% Philadelphia 1997 22% Washington 2003 41% Sarasota 2001 20% Phoenix 2002 40% Palm Springs 1998 19% St. Paul 2004 39% Broward 1997 18% San Antonio 2007 37% Bergen 2001 17% Lehigh Valley 2007 36% Baltimore 1999 17% Pittsburgh 2002 36% Monmouth 1997 17% Cincinnati 2008 34% Detroit 2005 16% Rhode Island 2002 34% W Palm Beach 2005 16% Richmond 1994 34% Miami 2004 16% Minneapolis 2004 33% Middlesex 2008 14% Westport 2000 33% S Palm Beach 2005 9% Wilmington 1995 33% NJPS 2000 48% 70 Religious Profile–Types of Marriage Types of Marriage by Age of Head of Household (Couples Rate) (Sample Size of Under 35 is 23) Individual Intermarriage Rate by Age of Head of Household (Married Jewish Persons) 71 Religious Profile–Types of Marriage Membership Profile | 5% of married couples in synagogue member households are intermarried, compared to 21% of married couples in synagogue non-member households. 2% of married couples in Jewish organization member households are intermarried, compared to 21% of married couples in Jewish organization non-member households. Experiential Profile | Married couples in households in which an adult attended a Jewish day school as a child (3%) and married couples in households in which an adult attended a supplemental school as a child (14%) are less likely to be intermarried than are married couples in households in which no adult attended Jewish education as a child (36%). | Married couples in households in which an adult attended or worked at a Jewish sleep away camp as a child (7%) are less likely to be intermarried than are married couples in households in which no adult attended or worked at a Jewish sleep away camp as a child (18%). | Married couples in households in which an adult participated in a Jewish youth group as a teenager (8%) are less likely to be intermarried than are married couples in households in which no adult participated in a Jewish youth group as a teenager (19%). | Married couples in households in which an adult participated in Hillel/Chabad while in college (excluding High Holidays) (3%) are less likely to be intermarried than are married couples in households in which no adult participated in Hillel/Chabad while in college (excluding High Holidays) (20%). | Married couples in households in which an adult visited Israel on a Jewish trip (3%) and married couples in households in which an adult visited Israel on a general trip (8%) are less likely to be intermarried than are married couples in households in which no adult visited Israel (24%). Philanthropic Profile | 4% of married couples in households who donated to the Jewish Federation in the past year are intermarried, compared to 25% of married couples in households not asked to donate. | 23% of married couples in households who did not donate to the Jewish Federation in the past year are intermarried, compared to 5% of married couples in households who donated under $100, 1% of married couples who donated $100-$500, and 4% of married couples who donated $500 and over. Conversion and Jews-by-Choice | The couples conversion rate is calculated by dividing the percentage of conversionary inmarried couples by the total percentage of married couples involving marriages between Jewish persons and persons not born or raised Jewish (conversionary in-married couples and intermarried couples). The 14% couples conversion rate is below average among about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 27% in Pittsburgh, 24% in New York, 23% in Bergen, and 15% in Monmouth. 72 Religious Profile–Types of Marriage | The 1.4% (728 persons) of Jewish persons in Jewish households who are Jews-by-Choice is the second lowest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 2.6% in Bergen and 1.4% in Monmouth. Singles Programs | 20% (1,102 households) of households with single Jewish adults age 18-64 were interested in singles programs in the past year. Included in the 20% are 10% (518 households) of households who did not attend singles programs. 7% (389 households) of households attended Jewish programs and 4% (194 households), non-Jewish programs. Thus, many households who were interested in singles programs did not attend them, and most households who attended singles programs attended Jewish programs. | The 20% who were interested in singles programs in the past year is about average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 23% in Monmouth and 11% in Bergen. Jewish Internet Dating | The 21% (1,129 households) of households with single Jewish adults age 18-64 who have used a Jewish Internet dating service at some time is about average among about ten comparison Jewish communities. Religion of Children in Jewish Households | The 33% of children age 0-17 in intermarried households who are being raised Jewish is below average among about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 59% in Bergen, 36% in Pittsburgh, 31% in Monmouth, and 30% in New York. Another 34% of children age 0-17 in intermarried households are being raised part Jewish. Note that respondents defined the children in their household as born and raised Jewish, non-Jewish, or part Jewish. | 87% of Jewish children age 0-17 living in married households are being raised in in-married households (involving marriages between two persons born or raised Jewish); 4%, in conversionary in-married households; and 9%, in intermarried households. The 9% of Jewish children are 0-17 in married households who are being raised in intermarried households is the fifth lowest of about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 22% in Pittsburgh, 11% in Bergen, and 7% in both New York and Monmouth. | The 84% of children age 0-17 in Jewish households who are being raised Jewish is well above average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 92% in Bergen, 85% in Monmouth, 83% in New York, and 67% in Pittsburgh. 73 Membership Profile–Synagogues verall, 58% of Jewish households in Middlesex are associated with the Jewish community in that someone in the household is a member of a synagogue, Jewish Community Center (JCC), or Jewish organization. The 58% is about average among about 40 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 63% in Bergen, 62% in both Pittsburgh and Monmouth, and 52% in New York. The 58% compares to 51% nationally. O Synagogue Membership | According to the Telephone Survey, 44% (10,656 households) of households are current synagogue members. 39% (9,288 households) of households reported current synagogue membership in a synagogue located in Middlesex. | The 44% current synagogue membership is about average among about 55 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 53% in Pittsburgh, 50% in Bergen, 48% in Monmouth, and 43% in New York. The 44% compares to 40% nationally. | According to the Synagogue Survey, 8,860 households who live in Middlesex (37%) are members of a synagogue located in Middlesex. The Telephone Survey implies that local synagogue membership is 2 percentage points higher than that suggested by the Synagogue Survey. | The 53% of households with children who are current synagogue members is about average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 65% in Bergen, 60% in Pittsburgh, 59% in New York, and 57% in Monmouth. The 53% compares to 55% nationally. | Current synagogue membership decreases from 45% of households earning an annual income under $25,000 to 34% of households earning an annual income of $25,000-$50,000 and then increases to 40% of households earning an annual income of $50,000-$100,000, 47% of households earning an annual income of $100,000-$200,000, and 54% of households earning an annual income of $200,000 and over. | The 16% of intermarried households who are current synagogue members is about average among about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 27% in Pittsburgh, 17% in Bergen, 16% in New York, and 13% in Monmouth. The 16% compares to 23% nationally. | 66% of households in which an adult visited Israel on a Jewish trip and 51% of households in which an adult visited Israel on a general trip are synagogue members, compared to 29% of households in which no adult visited Israel. | 12% (2,832 households) of households plan to join a synagogue in the future, which represents 21% of synagogue non-member households. | Lifetime synagogue membership is defined as the percentage of households who are members of a synagogue at some time during their adult lives. The 83% lifetime synagogue membership is the fourth highest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 85% in Monmouth and 81% in Bergen. 74 Membership Profile–Synagogues Current Synagogue Membership 75 Membership Profile–Synagogues Denomination of Synagogue Membership | According to the Synagogue Survey, 27% of the 9,467 households who are members of a synagogue located in Middlesex or neighboring communities are members of an Orthodox synagogue; 43%, a Conservative synagogue; 18%, a Reform synagogue; and 12%, other synagogues. | The 27% membership in Orthodox synagogues is the fourth highest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 46% in Monmouth and 28% in Bergen. The 27% compares to 21% nationally. | The 43% membership in Conservative synagogues is about average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 45% in Bergen and 33% in Monmouth. The 43% compares to 33% nationally. | The 18% membership in Reform synagogues is the lowest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 26% in Bergen and 21% in Monmouth. The 18% compares to 39% nationally. Synagogue Membership 76 Membership Profile–Synagogues Table 13 Current Synagogue Membership Comparison with Other Communities Community Year % Community Year % Cincinnati 2008 60% Atlantic County 2004 44% Tidewater 2001 58% Boston 2005 43% St. Paul 2004 56% New York 2002 43% Essex-Morris 1998 56% Rhode Island 2002 43% St. Louis 1995 56% Chicago 2000 42% Minneapolis 2004 54% St. Petersburg 1994 40% Rochester 1999 54% Miami 2004 39% Pittsburgh 2002 53% Howard County 1999 38% Hartford 2000 53% Washington 2003 37% San Antonio 2007 52% Philadelphia 1997 37% Baltimore 1999 52% Martin-St. Lucie 1999 36% Cleveland 1996 52% Los Angeles 1997 34% Lehigh Valley 2007 51% Orlando 1993 34% Detroit 2005 50% Portland (ME) 2007 33% Bergen 2001 50% Atlanta 2006 33% Columbus 2001 50% S Palm Beach 2005 33% Jacksonville 2002 49% Denver 2007 32% Charlotte 1997 49% Tucson 2002 32% Harrisburg 1994 49% W Palm Beach 2005 30% Palm Springs 1998 48% San Diego 2003 29% Monmouth 1997 48% Phoenix 2002 29% Milwaukee 1996 48% Broward 1997 27% Westport 2000 46% San Francisco 2004 22% Wilmington 1995 46% Seattle 2000 21% Sarasota 2001 45% Las Vegas 2005 14% York 1999 45% NJPS 1 2000 40% Richmond 1994 45% 1 Middlesex 2008 44% NJPS 2000 data are for the more Jewishly-connected sample. 77 Membership Profile–JCC and Jewish Organizations ewish Community Center Membership. According to the Telephone Survey, 3% (720 households) of Jewish households in Middlesex are current members of a Jewish Community Center (JCC), including 2% (432 households) who are current members of the JCC of Middlesex County. J | The 2% local JCC membership is the third lowest of about 50 comparison JCCs and compares to 27% in Monmouth (Deal), 23% in Pittsburgh, 21% in Bergen (Palisades), 14% in New York, 10% in Bergen (YJCC), and 5% in Monmouth (Western). | According to the JCC Survey, 1,000 Jewish households who live in Middlesex (4%) are members of the JCC of Middlesex County. The Telephone Survey implies that local JCC membership is 2 percentage points lower than that suggested by the JCC Survey. | The 2% local JCC membership of households with children is the second lowest of about 45 comparison JCCs and compares to 42% in Monmouth (Deal), 33% in Bergen (Palisades), 27% in Pittsburgh, 21% in New York, 13% in Bergen (YJCC), and 9% in Monmouth (Western). | The 1% local JCC membership of intermarried households is the third lowest of about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 13% in Pittsburgh, 12% in Bergen (Palisades), 11% in New York, 8% in Monmouth (Deal), 7% in Bergen (YJCC), and 0% in Monmouth (Western). | Respondents who are not current members of the JCC of Middlesex County were asked: “What is the major reason you have not joined the Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County? Would you say it is distance from your home, cost, quality of the programs, you have no need for the services offered, or some other reason?” The major reason for not joining the JCC most commonly reported by respondents in non-member households is no need for the services offered (40%). 29% of respondents reported distance from home; 8%, lack of information about the JCC; 6%, cost; 4%, lack of time; 2%, too old; and 13%, other reasons. | 2% of households are members of both a synagogue and a JCC; 42% are synagogue members but are not JCC members; 1% are JCC members but are not synagogue members; and 55% are neither synagogue nor JCC members. | The 7% of households who contain a member who participated in or attended a program at, or sponsored by, the JCC of Middlesex County in the past year is the second lowest of about 45 comparison JCCs and compares to 45% in Monmouth (Deal), 44% in Bergen (Palisades), 34% in New York, 21% in Bergen (YJCC), and 7% in Monmouth (Western). | 31% of households who are not members of the JCC of Middlesex County are members of a fitness facility or health club (fitness facility). The JCC has a 6% market share of the fitness facility market among Jewish households. The 6% is the second lowest of about 25 comparison JCCs and compares to 48% in Bergen (Palisades) and 28% in Bergen (YJCC). | 15% (3,576 households) of households were members of the YM-YWHA of Raritan Valley in the past. 4% (1,032 households) of households were members of the YM-YWHA 0-5 years ago; 78 Membership Profile–JCC and Jewish Organizations 2% (456 households), 6-9 years ago; and 9% (2,088 households), ten or more years ago. This facility is currently closed, except for a preschool program, a day camp, and some senior programming. In December 2008, the name was changed to The Campus for Jewish Life. eriously Investigate Joining a New YM-YWHA. Respondents in Jewish households in Middlesex were asked: "If a new YM-YWHA were built in East Brunswick, would you definitely, probably, probably not, or definitely not seriously investigate joining the new Y?" S | 12% (2,880 households) of households would definitely seriously investigate joining a new Y; 24% (5,856 households), probably; 33%, probably not; 28%, definitely not; and 3% don’t know. In total, 36% (8,736 households) of households would definitely or probably seriously investigate joining a new Y. | 51% of the 3,576 households who were members of the YM-YWHA of Raritan Valley in the past would definitely or probably seriously investigate joining a new Y. ewish Organization Membership. 38% of Jewish households in Middlesex are current members of a Jewish organization other than a synagogue or a Jewish Community Center, such as B’nai B’rith or Hadassah. The 38% is the seventh highest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 36% in both Bergen and Monmouth, 29% in Pittsburgh, and 20% in New York. The 38% compares to 25% nationally. J Definitely or Probably Seriously Investigate Joining a New YM-YWHA 79 Feel Part of the Jewish Community ewish respondents in Middlesex were asked: “How much do you feel like you are part of the Middlesex County Jewish community? Would you say very much, somewhat, not very much, or not at all?” J | The 50% who feel very much or somewhat part of the Middlesex Jewish community (Jewish community) is about average among about 25 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 65% in both Pittsburgh and New York and 60% in Bergen. | The percentage of respondents who feel very much or somewhat part of the Jewish community is 77% in Highland Park/South Edison, 53% in the South, 45% in the Central, and 40% in the North. | The percentage of respondents who feel very much or somewhat part of the Jewish community is 53% of respondents under age 35, 42% of respondents age 35-49, 46% of respondents age 50-64, 52% of respondents age 65-74, and 57% of respondents age 75 and over. | 57% of respondents in in-married households feel very much or somewhat part of the Jewish community, compared to 20% of Jewish respondents in intermarried households. Feel Part of the Middlesex Jewish Community (Jewish Respondents) 80 Jewish Education of Adults–Formal n total, 74% of born or raised Jewish adults (age 18 and over) in Jewish households in Middlesex received some formal Jewish education as children. The 74% is about average among about 40 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 78% in Bergen, 77% in Monmouth, 76% in Pittsburgh, and 65% in New York. The 74% compares to 73% nationally. I | 89% of born or raised Jewish adult males received some formal Jewish education as children, compared to 61% of born or raised Jewish adult females. Born or raised Jewish adult females in each age group were less likely to receive some formal Jewish education as children than were born or raised Jewish adult males. | The 12% who attended a Jewish day school as children is about average among about 40 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 24% in Bergen, 19% in New York, 11% in Monmouth, and 10% in Pittsburgh. The 12% compares to 12% nationally. | 93% of born or raised Jewish adults in Orthodox households, 79% of born or raised Jewish adults in Conservative households, and 72% of born or raised Jewish adults in Reform households received some formal Jewish education as children, compared to 63% of born or raised Jewish adults in Just Jewish households. | 75% of born or raised Jewish adults in in-married households, 83% of born or raised Jewish adults in conversionary in-married households, and 76% of born or raised Jewish adults in intermarried households received some formal Jewish education as children. Formal Jewish Education Received as Children by Born or Raised Jewish Adults 81 Jewish Education of Adults–Formal | On most measures of Jewish identity, attendance at a Jewish day school or supplemental school as a child is shown to be positively correlated with adult behaviors, although we cannot attribute cause and effect to these relationships. Born or Raised Jewish Adults Who Received Some Formal Jewish Education as Children by Age and Sex Households in Which a Born or Raised Jewish Adult Received Some Formal Jewish Education as a Child 82 Jewish Education of Adults–Informal s more concerns are raised about Jewish continuity, interest has been sparked in identifying factors which may be related to encouraging Jews to lead a “Jewish life.” Thus, three types of informal Jewish education were examined for born or raised Jewish adults in Jewish households in Middlesex. Overall, 24% of born or raised Jewish adults attended or worked at a Jewish sleep away camp as children, 37% participated in a Jewish youth group as teenagers, and 25% participated in Hillel/Chabad while in college (excluding the High Holidays). A | The 24% who attended or worked at a Jewish sleep away camp as children is the fifth lowest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 44% in Pittsburgh, 37% in Bergen, and 19% in Monmouth. The 24% compares to 31% nationally. | The 37% who participated in a Jewish youth group as teenagers is below average among about 25 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 36% in both Bergen and Monmouth and 33% in New York. The 37% compares to 38% nationally. | The 25% who participated in Hillel/Chabad while in college is about average among about 25 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 31% in Bergen and 28% in Monmouth. The 25% compares to 30% nationally. . Born or Raised Jewish Adults Who Participated in Informal Jewish Education as Children by Age 83 Jewish Education of Adults–Informal | On most measures of Jewish identity, all three types of informal Jewish education are shown to be positively correlated with adult behaviors, although we cannot attribute cause and effect to these relationships. Households in Which a Born or Raised Jewish Adult Attended or Worked at a Jewish Sleep Away Camp as a Child Households in Which a Born or Raised Jewish Adult Participated in a Jewish Youth Group as a Teenager 84 Jewish Education of Adults–Informal Households in Which a Born or Raised Jewish Adult Participated in Hillel/Chabad While in College (Excluding High Holidays) 85 Jewish Education of Adults–Informal Internet Usage | 48% of Jewish respondents used the Internet for Jewish-related information in the past year, including 17% who used the Internet for information about the Middlesex Jewish community, which, in turn, includes 8% who visited the Jewish Federation web site (www.jewishmiddlesex.org). The 48% who used the Internet for Jewish-related information in the past year is above average among about 25 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 39% in Bergen and 37% in New York. The 48% compares to 40% nationally. | 70% of respondents in households with children, 66% of respondents in non-elderly couple households, and 55% of respondents in households with only adult children used the Internet for Jewish-related information in the past year, compared to 46% of respondents in non-elderly single households, 40% of respondents in elderly couple households, and 22% of respondents in elderly single households. Adult Jewish Education | The 28% of Jewish respondents who attended an adult Jewish education program or class in the past year is about average among about 25 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 32% in Bergen. The 28% compares to 24% nationally. | 32% of respondents in in-married households attended an adult Jewish education program or class in the past year, compared to 8% of Jewish respondents in intermarried households. Used the Internet for Jewish-Related Information in the Past Year (Jewish Respondents) 86 Jewish Education of Children–Preschool/Child Care ccording to the Telephone Survey, 38% (899 children) of Jewish children age 0-5 (excluding Jewish children age 5 who already attend kindergarten) in Middlesex attend a Jewish preschool/child care program; 22%, a non-Jewish preschool/child care program; and 39% do not attend a preschool/child care program. The 38% who attend a Jewish preschool/child care program is above average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 44% in Pittsburgh, 42% in Monmouth, 41% in New York, and 34% in Bergen. The 38% compares to 19% nationally. 27% (424 children) of non-Orthodox Jewish children age 0-5 attend a Jewish preschool/child care program; 30%, a non-Jewish preschool/child care program; and 43% do not attend a preschool/child care program. A | The Jewish preschool/child care market share (market share) is defined as the percentage of Jewish children age 0-5 in a preschool/child care program who attend a Jewish preschool/child care program. The 63% market share is above average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 76% in Monmouth and 58% in Bergen. The 63% compares to 36% nationally. | According to the Jewish Institutions Survey, 628 Jewish children age 0-5 attend a Jewish preschool/child care program. | A total of 2,340 Jewish children age 0-5 (excluding Jewish children age 5 who already attend kindergarten) live in Middlesex. Thus, according to the Jewish Institutions Survey, 27% of Jewish children age 0-5 attend a Jewish preschool/child care program. | The 27% according to the Jewish Institutions Survey is just outside the margin of error of the 38% according to the Telephone Survey. Preschool/Child Care Program Currently Attended by Jewish Children Age 0-5 87 Jewish Education of Children–Jewish Day School ccording to the Telephone Survey, 48% (1,711 children) of Jewish children age 5-12 (excluding Jewish children age 5 who do not yet attend kindergarten) in Middlesex attend a Jewish day school; 1%, a non-Jewish private school; and 51%, a public school. 20% (456 children) of non-Orthodox Jewish children age 5-12 attend a Jewish day school; 2%, a non-Jewish private school; and 79%, a public school. A | The 48% who attend a Jewish day school is the highest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 41% in Bergen and 27% in both Monmouth and Pittsburgh. The 48% compares to 25% nationally. However, note that over one-third of the Jewish children age 5-12 in Middlesex are Orthodox, unlike in most comparison Jewish communities, and that 20% of non-Orthodox Jewish children age 5-12 attend a Jewish day school. | The 1% who attend a non-Jewish private school is the second lowest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 13% in Pittsburgh, 3% in Bergen, and 2% in Monmouth. The 1% compares to 10% nationally. Note that 2% of non-Orthodox Jewish children age 5-12 attend a non-Jewish private school. | The 51% who attend a public school is the third lowest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 72% in Monmouth, 59% in Pittsburgh, and 56% in Bergen. The 51% compares to 66% nationally. Note that 79% of non-Orthodox Jewish children age 5-12 attend a public school. | The Jewish day school market share (market share) for Jewish children age 5-12 is defined as the percentage of Jewish children age 5-12 in a private school who attend a Jewish day school. The 98% market share is the second highest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 94% in Monmouth, 93% in Bergen, and 68% in Pittsburgh. The 98% compares to 72% nationally. Note that the market share for non-Orthodox Jewish children age 5-12 is 93%. | According to the Jewish Day School Survey, 470 Jewish children age 5-12 attend a Jewish day school. | A total of 3,588 Jewish children age 5-12 (excluding Jewish children age 5 who do not yet attend kindergarten) live in Middlesex. Thus, according to the Jewish Day School Survey, 13% of Jewish children age 5-12 attend a Jewish day school. | The 13% according to the Jewish Day School Survey is not within the margin of error of the 48% according to the Telephone Survey. Why the disparity between the Telephone Survey and the Jewish Day School Survey? Not all potential respondents cooperated with the Telephone Survey. It is likely that households with Jewish children who attend a Jewish day school constituted a disproportionately high percentage of households who responded to the Telephone Survey. In addition, at least some of the Jewish children age 5-12 who attend a Jewish day school do not attend a Jewish day school located in Middlesex or the neighboring communities surveyed. Finally, the estimate of the number of Jewish children age 5-12 may be too high. 88 Jewish Education of Children–Jewish Day School Seriously Investigate Sending Jewish Children to Jewish Day School | 28% of households with Jewish children age 0-17 currently have a Jewish child who attends a Jewish day school; 5% sent a Jewish child to a Jewish day school in the past; 2% (households with Jewish preschool age children) will definitely send a Jewish child to a Jewish day school in the future; 6% (households with Jewish school age children) seriously investigated sending a Jewish child to a Jewish day school in the past; 11% (households with Jewish preschool age children) will seriously investigate sending a Jewish child to a Jewish day school in the future; 37% (households with Jewish school age children) did not seriously investigate sending a Jewish child to a Jewish day school in the past; and 12% (households with Jewish preschool age children) will not seriously investigate sending a Jewish child to a Jewish day school in the future. | The 50% of households with Jewish children age 0-17 who did not or will not seriously investigate sending a Jewish child to a Jewish day school are not in the Jewish day school market. The 50% is below average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 56% in Monmouth and 45% in Bergen. Seriously Investigate Sending Jewish Children Age 0-17 to Jewish Day School (Households with Jewish Children Age 0-17) 89 Jewish Education of Children–Jewish Day School Major Reasons for Not Sending Jewish Children to a Jewish Day School | Respondents in households with Jewish children age 0-17 (none of whom currently attend a Jewish day school, have attended in the past, or will definitely attend in the future) were asked the major reasons they did not, will not, or might not send their Jewish children to a Jewish day school. The major reasons most commonly reported are tuition cost (42%), belief in public schools/ethnically mixed environment (36%), school is too religious for family/family is not religious (22%), quality of other private or public schools (10%), have a special needs child (6%), quality of education at Jewish day schools (5%), distance from home (4%), curriculum issues (4%), and intermarriage (3%). | The 42% who reported tuition cost is well above average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 38% in Monmouth and 20% in Bergen. | The 36% who reported belief in public schools/ethnically mixed environment is well above average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 44% in Bergen and 16% in Monmouth. | The 22% who reported school is too religious for family/family is not religious is the highest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 19% in Bergen and 13% in Monmouth. | The 10% who reported quality of other private or public schools is about average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 9% in Bergen and 5% in Monmouth. | The 6% who reported have a special needs child is the highest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 2% in Monmouth and 0% in Bergen. | The 5% who reported quality of education at Jewish day schools is about average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 7% in Monmouth and 5% in Bergen. | The 4% who reported distance from home is the third lowest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 6% in Monmouth and 2% in Bergen. | The 3% who reported intermarriage is about average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 4% in both Bergen and Monmouth. 90 Jewish Education of Children–School Age Children ewish Children Age 5-12 (Pre-B’nai Mitzvah). According to the Telephone Survey, 81% (2,910 children) of Jewish children age 5-12 (excluding Jewish children age 5 who do not yet attend kindergarten) in Middlesex currently attend formal Jewish education, including 33% at a supplemental school and 48% at a Jewish day school. 72% of non-Orthodox Jewish children age 5-12 currently attend formal Jewish education, including 52% at a supplemental school and 20% at a Jewish day school. J | According to the Jewish Institutions Survey, 1,447 Jewish children age 5-12 attend a supplemental school at a synagogue located in Middlesex or neighboring communities and 470 children at a Jewish day school. | A total of 3,588 Jewish children age 5-12 (excluding Jewish children age 5 who do not yet attend kindergarten) live in Middlesex. Thus, according to the Jewish Institutions Survey, 53% (1,917 children) of Jewish children age 5-12 currently attend formal Jewish education, including 40% who attend a supplemental school at a synagogue and 13%, a Jewish day school. 47% (1,671 children) of Jewish children age 5-12 do not currently attend formal Jewish education. | The 53% who currently attend formal Jewish education according to the Jewish Institutions Survey is not within the margin of error of the 81% according to the Telephone Survey. | The 53% of Jewish children age 5-12 who currently attend formal Jewish education according to the Jewish Institutions Survey is well below average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 79% in Monmouth and 73% in Bergen. ewish Children Age 13-17 (Post-B’nai Mitzvah). According to the Telephone Survey, 51% (1,244 children) of Jewish children age 13-17 in Middlesex currently attend formal Jewish education, including 20% at a supplemental school and 31% at a Jewish day school. 30% of nonOrthodox Jewish children age 13-17 currently attend formal Jewish education, including 28% at a supplemental school and 2% at a Jewish day school. J | According to the Jewish Institutions Survey, 633 Jewish children age 13-17 attend a supplemental school at a synagogue and 161 children, a Jewish day school. | A total of 2,444 Jewish children age 13-17 live in Middlesex. Thus, according to the Jewish Institutions Survey, 33% (794 children) of Jewish children age 13-17 currently attend formal Jewish education, including 26% who attend a supplemental school at a synagogue and 7%, a Jewish day school. 68% (1,650 children) of Jewish children age 13-17 do not currently attend formal Jewish education. | The 33% who currently attend formal Jewish education according to the Jewish Institutions Survey is not within the margin of error of the 51% according to the Telephone Survey. | The 33% of Jewish children age 13-17 who currently attend formal Jewish education according to the Jewish Institutions Survey is about average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 36% in Monmouth and 34% in Bergen. 91 Jewish Education of Children–School Age Children | 86% of Jewish children age 13-17 have received some formal Jewish education (either currently attend or have attended in the past), including 43% at a supplemental school and 43% at a Jewish day school. The interest in this age group is that, since very few Jewish children are enrolled in formal Jewish education for the first time at age 13 or older, it suggests that 14% of Jewish children in Middlesex will not receive any formal Jewish education. Table 14 Jewish Children Age 5-12 Who Currently Attend Formal Jewish Education Comparison with Other Communities Community Year % Community Year % Westport 2000 96% Wilmington 1995 59% Rhode Island 2002 91% Richmond 1994 58% Milwaukee 1996 83% San Antonio 2007 57% Sarasota 2001 82% S Palm Beach 2005 56% Charlotte 1997 82% Atlantic County 2004 56% Lehigh Valley 2007 80% Miami 2004 56% Monmouth 1997 79% Washington 2003 56% Tidewater 2001 74% Middlesex 2008 53% Bergen 2001 73% Tucson 2002 53% Hartford 2000 73% Orlando 1993 50% Martin-St. Lucie 1999 73% W Palm Beach 2005 46% Minneapolis 2004 71% Las Vegas 2005 45% York 1999 67% Broward 1997 45% St. Paul 2004 66% Portland (ME) 2007 43% Jacksonville 2002 66% St. Petersburg 1994 40% Harrisburg 1994 66% Rochester 1999 62% Note: Data are based upon the Jewish Institutions Survey. hy the disparities between the Telephone Survey and the Jewish Institutions Survey? Not all potential respondents cooperated with the Telephone Survey in Middlesex. It is likely that households with Jewish children who attend Jewish education constituted a disproportionately high percentage of households who responded to the Telephone Survey. In addition, at least some of the Jewish children who attend Jewish education do not attend at a Jewish institution located in Middlesex or the neighboring communities surveyed. Finally, the estimate of the number of Jewish children may be too high. W 92 Jewish Education of Children–School Age Children Jewish Children Age 13-17 Who Ever Attended Formal Jewish Education Non-Orthodox Jewish Children Age 13-17 Who Ever Attended Formal Jewish Education 93 Jewish Education of Children–Informal T hree types of informal Jewish education of Jewish children in Middlesex are addressed by this study: Jewish day camp, Jewish sleep away camp, and Jewish teenage youth group. Jewish Day Camp | According to the Telephone Survey, 29% (2,016 children) of Jewish children age 3-17 attended or worked at a Jewish day camp this past summer (the summer of 2007); 22%, a non-Jewish day camp; and 50% did not attend or work at a day camp. The 29% who attended or worked at a Jewish day camp this past summer is above average among about 25 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 25% in both Bergen and Monmouth. The 29% compares to 27% nationally. | The Jewish day camp market share (market share) is defined as the percentage of Jewish children age 3-17 attending or working at a day camp this past summer who attended or worked at a Jewish day camp. The 57% market share is about average among about 25 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 61% in Bergen and 41% in Monmouth. The 57% compares to 56% nationally. | According to the Jewish Institutions Survey, 496 Jewish children age 3-17 attended or worked at a day camp this past summer at a synagogue located in Middlesex or neighboring communities; 255 children, at a JCC; and 150 children, at an independent Jewish day camp. | A total of 7,049 Jewish children age 3-17 live in Middlesex. Thus, according to the Jewish Institutions Survey, 13% (901 children) of Jewish children age 3-17 attended or worked at a Jewish day camp this past summer. | The 13% according to the Jewish Institutions Survey is not within the margin of error of the 29% according to the Telephone Survey. Why the disparity between the Telephone Survey and the Jewish Institutions Survey? The disparity may be attributable to Jewish children age 3-17 who attended Jewish day camps that operate outside Middlesex and the neighboring communities surveyed as well as to respondents who interpreted “Jewish day camp” to mean a camp with mostly Jewish campers (despite our use of the phrase a Jewish camp with religious services or significant Jewish content). Finally, the estimate of the number of Jewish children age 3-17 may be too high. Jewish Sleep Away Camp | 17% (1,011 children) of Jewish children age 6-17 attended or worked at a Jewish sleep away camp this past summer (the summer of 2007); 3%, a non-Jewish sleep away camp; and 80% did not attend or work at a sleep away camp. | The 17% who attended or worked at a Jewish sleep away camp this past summer is about average among about 25 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 20% in Bergen and 5% in Monmouth. | The Jewish sleep away camp market share (market share) is defined as the percentage of Jewish children age 6-17 attending or working at a sleep away camp this past summer who attended or worked at a Jewish sleep away camp. The 86% market share is the second highest of about 25 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 70% in Bergen and 57% in Monmouth. 94 Jewish Education of Children–Informal Jewish Children Age 3-17 Who Attended or Worked at a Day Camp This Past Summer Jewish Children Age 6-17 Who Attended or Worked at a Sleep Away Camp This Past Summer 95 Jewish Education of Children–Informal Jewish Teenage Youth Group | According to the Telephone Survey, 41% (997 children) of Jewish children age 13-17 regularly participate (participate) in a Jewish teenage youth group. | According to the Jewish Institutions Survey, 886 Jewish children age 13-17 participate in a Jewish teenage youth group at a synagogue and 217 children participate in an independent Jewish teenage youth group. | A total of 2,444 Jewish children age 13-17 live in Middlesex. Thus, according to the Jewish Institutions Survey, 45% (1,103 children) of Jewish children age 13-17 participate in a Jewish teenage youth group, including 36% who participate in a synagogue youth group and 9% in an independent youth group. | The 45% who participate in a Jewish teenage youth group according to the Jewish Institutions Survey is within the margin of error of the 41% according to the Telephone Survey. | The 45% according to the Jewish Institutions Survey is well above average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 45% in Monmouth and 23% in Bergen. *********************************************************************************************************** verall Involvement in Jewish Education. 65% of Jewish children age 0-17 in Middlesex are currently involved in some type of formal or informal Jewish education in that they: ì currently attend a Jewish preschool/child care program, or í currently attend a Jewish day school, or î currently attend a supplemental school, or ï attended or worked at a Jewish day camp this past summer, or ð attended or worked at a Jewish sleep away camp this past summer, or ñ currently participate in a Jewish teenage youth group. O | 54% of non-Orthodox Jewish children age 0-17 are currently involved in some type of formal or informal Jewish education. 96 Jewish Agencies–Familiarity espondents in Jewish households in Middlesex were asked whether they are very familiar, somewhat familiar, or not at all familiar with the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County and other Jewish agencies. Overall, a significant portion of the Middlesex Jewish community is not at all familiar with the Jewish Federation and other Jewish agencies, ranging from the 45% of respondents who are not at all familiar with the Jewish Federation to the 76% who are not at all familiar with the Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County. R | 15% of respondents are very familiar, 40% are somewhat familiar, and 45% are not at all familiar with the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County (Federation). The 15% very familiar is below average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 18% in Bergen and 8% in Monmouth. | 8% of respondents are very familiar, 23% are somewhat familiar, and 70% are not at all familiar with the Jewish Family and Vocational Service (JFVS). The 8% very familiar is the fifth lowest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 10% in Monmouth and 9% in Bergen. | 7% of respondents are very familiar, 26% are somewhat familiar, and 67% are not at all familiar with Rutgers Hillel (Hillel). The 7% very familiar is about average among five comparison Jewish communities. | 7% of respondents are very familiar, 19% are somewhat familiar, and 74% are not at all familiar with the YM-YWHA of Raritan Valley (YM-YWHA). The 7% very familiar is the fourth lowest of about 40 comparison JCCs and compares to 46% in Monmouth (Deal), 38% in Bergen (Palisades), 22% in Bergen (YJCC), 5% in Monmouth (Western), and 4% in Middlesex (JCC). The YM-YWHA is treated as a Jewish Community Center (JCC) for purposes of comparison with other Jewish communities. Note that the YM-YWHA only operated a preschool, a day camp, and some senior programming at the time of the study. In December 2008, the name was changed to The Campus for Jewish Life. | 4% of respondents are very familiar, 20% are somewhat familiar, and 76% are not at all familiar with the Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County (JCC). The 4% very familiar is the lowest of about 40 comparison JCCs and compares to 46% in Monmouth (Deal), 38% in Bergen (Palisades), 22% in Bergen (YJCC), 7% in Middlesex (YM-YWHA), and 5% in Monmouth (Western). | 70% of respondents are at least somewhat familiar with at least one of the agencies queried. The 70% is the fourth lowest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 87% in Bergen and 63% in Monmouth. 97 Jewish Agencies–Familiarity Familiarity with Jewish Agencies (Respondents) 98 Jewish Day Schools–Familiarity espondents in households with Jewish children age 0-17 in Middlesex were asked whether they are very familiar, somewhat familiar, or not at all familiar with three Jewish day schools in Middlesex. R | 23% of respondents in households with Jewish children are very familiar, 42% are somewhat familiar, and 35% are not at all familiar with the Solomon Schechter Day School of Raritan Valley (Schechter). The 23% very familiar is about average among about 45 comparison Jewish day schools and compares to 22% in Middlesex (RPRY) and 13% in Middlesex (MAYHS). | 22% of respondents in households with Jewish children are very familiar, 22% are somewhat familiar, and 57% are not at all familiar with Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva (RPRY). The 22% very familiar is about average among about 45 comparison Jewish day schools and compares to 23% in Middlesex (Schechter) and 13% in Middlesex (MAYHS). | 13% of respondents in households with Jewish children are very familiar, 25% are somewhat familiar, and 62% are not at all familiar with the Moshe Aaron Yeshiva High School (MAYHS). The 13% very familiar is well below average among about 45 comparison Jewish day schools and compares to 23% in Middlesex (Schechter) and 22% in Middlesex (RPRY). Familiarity with Jewish Day Schools (Respondents in Households with Jewish Children) 99 Jewish Agencies–Perception espondents in Jewish households in Middlesex who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County and other Jewish agencies were asked to provide perceptions of those agencies on a scale of excellent, good, fair, and poor. Many respondents who are only somewhat familiar, and some respondents who are very familiar, with an agency were unable to provide a perception of that agency. The majority (74%-87%) of respondents have positive (excellent and good) perceptions of the Jewish Federation and other Jewish agencies. R | 23% of respondents who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County (Federation) perceive it as excellent; 59%, good; 15%, fair; and 3%, poor. The 23% excellent perceptions is below average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 22% in Bergen and 19% in Monmouth. | 24% of respondents who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the Jewish Family and Vocational Service (JFVS) perceive it as excellent; 58%, good; 13%, fair; and 5%, poor. The 24% excellent perceptions is the third lowest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 29% in Monmouth and 25% in Bergen. | 32% of respondents who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with Rutgers Hillel (Hillel) perceive it as excellent; 55%, good; 12%, fair; and 1%, poor. The 32% excellent perceptions is the highest of four comparison Jewish communities. | 12% of respondents who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the YM-YWHA of Raritan Valley (YM-YWHA) perceive it as excellent; 62%, good; 15%, fair; and 11%, poor. The 12% excellent perceptions is the second lowest of about 40 comparison JCCs and compares to 47% in Bergen (Palisades), 33% in Monmouth (Deal), 24% in Bergen (YJCC), 16% in Middlesex (JCC), and 10% in Monmouth (Western). The YM-YWHA is treated as a Jewish Community Center (JCC) for purposes of comparison with other Jewish communities. Note that the YM-YWHA only operated a preschool, a day camp, and some senior programming at the time of the study. In December 2008, the name was changed to The Campus for Jewish Life. | 16% of respondents who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County (JCC) perceive it as excellent; 59%, good; 21%, fair; and 5%, poor. The 16% excellent perceptions is the fourth lowest of about 40 comparison JCCs and compares to 47% in Bergen (Palisades), 33% in Monmouth (Deal), 24% in Bergen (YJCC), 12% in Middlesex (YM-YWHA), and 10% in Monmouth (Western). 100 Jewish Agencies–Perception Perception of Jewish Agencies (Respondents Who Are Very Familiar or Somewhat Familiar with the Agency) 101 Jewish Day Schools–Perception espondents in households with Jewish children age 0-17 in Middlesex who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with three Jewish day schools in Middlesex were asked to provide perceptions of those schools on a scale of excellent, good, fair, and poor. R | 17% of respondents in households with Jewish children who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the Solomon Schechter Day School of Raritan Valley (Schechter) perceive it as excellent; 66%, good; 17%, fair; and 1%, poor. The 17% excellent perceptions is the fifth lowest of about 40 comparison Jewish day schools and compares to 18% in Middlesex (RPRY) and 11% in Middlesex (MAYHS). | 18% of respondents in households with Jewish children who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva (RPRY) perceive it as excellent; 53%, good; 23%, fair; and 6%, poor. The 18% excellent perceptions is the seventh lowest of about 40 comparison Jewish day schools and compares to 17% in Middlesex (Schechter) and 11% in Middlesex (MAYHS). | 11% of respondents in households with Jewish children who are very familiar or somewhat familiar with Moshe Aaron Yeshiva High School (MAYHS) perceive it as excellent; 37%, good; 41%, fair; and 12%, poor. The 11% excellent perceptions is the lowest of about 40 comparison Jewish day schools and compares to 18% in Middlesex (RPRY) and 17% in Middlesex (Schechter). Perception of Jewish Day Schools (Respondents in Households with Jewish Children Who Are Very or Somewhat Familiar with the School) 102 Social Service Needs n total, 21% (5,016 households) of Jewish households in Middlesex contain an adult member or a Jewish or part Jewish child who has a physical, mental, or other health condition (healthlimited member) that has lasted for six months or more and limits or prevents employment, educational opportunities, or daily activities. The respondent defined “physical, mental, or other health condition” for himself/herself. The 21% is the fourth highest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 14% in both Bergen and Monmouth. The 21% compares to 13% nationally. I | Included in the 21% of households containing a health-limited member are 7% (1,752 households) in which the member needs daily assistance as a result of his/her condition. The 7% is about average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 5% in Bergen and 4% in Monmouth. The 7% compares to 4% nationally. | 1% (420 adults) of adults in Jewish households are disabled and consequently unable to work. | 0.2% (48 households) of households contain a disabled adult child (age 18 and over) who is unable to work and lives at home with his/her parents or other adults. | 6% (1,416 households) of households contain an adult who needs assistance with one or more activities of daily living (grocery shopping, doing laundry, managing medicines, preparing meals, bathing or showering, getting around inside the home, taking care of appearance, dressing, managing money, using the bathroom, and eating); 5% (1,248 households) contain an adult who needs assistance with two or more activities of daily living. | 9% (1,212 households) of households with elderly persons contain an adult who needs assistance with one or more activities of daily living; 8% (1,052 households) contain an adult who needs assistance with two or more activities of daily living. hile the best indicators of social service needs include such factors as age, household structure, and household income, respondents in Jewish households in Middlesex were asked directly about their need for a variety of social services in the past year. When respondents reported that their households needed a service, they were asked whether the service had been received. If the households received the service, the respondents were asked whether the service had been received from a Jewish source (Jewish help) or a non-Jewish source (other help). In examining these results, it should be noted that some respondents may feel uneasy about admitting the need for some of these services. Thus, it is likely that this study underestimates the actual need for social services in the past year. W | The 7% (1,608 households) of households who needed marital, family, or personal counseling (counseling) in the past year is the fifth lowest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 13% in Bergen, 10% in Monmouth, and 7% in New York. | The 17% (4,152 households) of households who needed help in coordinating services for an elderly or disabled person (coordinating services) in the past year is the second highest of about 20 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 12% in Bergen. 103 Social Service Needs | The 2% (408 households) of households who needed financial assistance in the past year compares with 3% in Detroit and 2% in both the Lehigh Valley and San Antonio, the only comparison Jewish communities for which this measure is available. | The 11% (1,331 households) of households with adults age 18-64 who needed help in finding a job or choosing an occupation (job counseling) in the past year is about average among about 25 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 10% in both Bergen and Monmouth. The 11% compares to 10% nationally. | The 11% (452 households) of households with Jewish children age 0-17 who needed programs for Jewish children with learning disabilities or other special needs, such as developmental disabilities (learning disabled programs), in the past year is about average among about 25 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 12% in Bergen and 9% in Monmouth. | Most households who received social services in the past year received them from non-Jewish sources. Social Services for the Elderly | The 14% (1,905 households) of households with elderly persons who needed in-home health care in the past year is about average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 17% in Monmouth and 12% in Bergen. The 14% compares to 15% nationally. | The 13% (1,718 households) of households with elderly persons who needed senior transportation in the past year is about average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 11% in Bergen and 10% in Monmouth. | The 4% (519 households) of households with elderly persons who needed home-delivered meals in the past year is above average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 4% in Monmouth and 3% in Bergen. | The 3% (453 households) of households with elderly persons who needed adult day care in the past year is the fifth highest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 2% in both Bergen and Monmouth. | The 3% (373 households) of households with elderly persons who needed nursing home care in the past year is about average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 4% in Monmouth and 3% in Bergen. The 3% compares to 6% nationally. | The 3% (346 households) of households with elderly persons who needed an assisted living facility in the past year is about average among about ten comparison Jewish communities and compares to 3% in Monmouth. | Most households with elderly persons who received social services for the elderly in the past year received them from non-Jewish sources. 104 Social Service Needs Unmet Needs | 558 households with adults age 18-64 had unmet needs for job counseling in the past year; 456 households, for coordinating services; 120 households, for financial assistance; 110 households with Jewish children age 0-17, for learning disabled programs; and 24 households, for counseling; | 133 households with elderly persons had unmet needs for senior transportation in the past year; 93 households, for in-home health care; 80 households, for an assisted living facility; 67 households, for adult day care; 27 households, for home-delivered meals; and no households, for nursing home care. Households Who Care for Relatives Who Live Outside the Respondent’s Home | 12% of households in which the respondent is age 40 or over have an elderly relative who lives outside the respondent’s home and who in some way depends upon the household for care (caregiver households). The respondent defined “care” for himself/herself. | The 12% of caregiver households is about average among about 20 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 14% in Bergen. | Included in the 12% of caregiver households are 5% in which the elderly relative lives in Middlesex, 5% in which the elderly relative lives outside Middlesex but within 90 minutes, and 2% in which the elderly relative lives further than 90 minutes from Middlesex. | 7% of households in which the respondent is age 40 or over care for elderly relatives who live in their own home; 1%, in an independent living facility; 2%, in an assisted living facility; and 2%, in a nursing home. | 24% of households with children in which the respondent is age 40 or over are caregiver households. The adults in these households, who have been called the sandwich generation, have the responsibility to care for both minor children at home and elderly relatives who live outside their home. The 24% is the second highest of about 20 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 13% in Bergen. Local Adult Children | 30% of households in which the respondent is age 75 or over have at least one adult child who has established his/her own home in Middlesex; 48% have adult children who have established their own homes outside Middlesex but within 90 minutes; 19% have adult children who have established their own homes further than 90 minutes from Middlesex; and 4% have no adult children who have established their own homes. | The 30% of households in which the respondent is age 75 or over with local adult children is the fifth lowest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 46% in Bergen, 44% in Pittsburgh, and 41% in Monmouth. However, note that the 30% does not include the 48% of households with adult children outside Middlesex but within 90 minutes of Middlesex. 105 Social Service Needs Need for Social Services in the Past Year * Of households with Jewish children age 0-17 ** Of households with adults age 18-64 106 Social Service Needs Need for Elderly Social Services in the Past Year in Households with Elderly Persons Disposition of Need for Selected Social Services in the Past Year * Of households with adults age 18-64 ** Of households with elderly persons 107 Social Service Needs Households with Adults Who Need Assistance with Activities of Daily Living Households Who Care for an Elderly Relative (Households in Which the Respondent Is Age 40 or Over) 108 P referen ce fo r Jew ish-S po nso red A d u lt C a re F a cilities ewish respondents age 40 and over in Middlesex were asked whether they would very much prefer, somewhat prefer, have no preference for, or rather not use Jewish-sponsored adult care facilities if they or, in the case of respondents under age 60, an elderly relative needed senior housing or a nursing home. J | The 58% who would very much prefer Jewish-sponsored adult care facilities is about average among about 25 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 60% in Bergen. | Among respondents age 40 and over, 96% of Orthodox Jews and 70% of Conservative Jews would very much prefer Jewish-sponsored adult care facilities, compared to 52% of Reform Jews and 41% of the Just Jewish. 28% of the Just Jewish would have no preference. | 61% of respondents age 40 and over in in-married households would very much prefer Jewish-sponsored adult care facilities, compared to 22% of Jewish respondents in intermarried households. 48% of Jewish respondents in intermarried households would have no preference. | 71% of respondents age 40 and over in households in which an adult visited Israel on a Jewish trip and 63% of respondents age 40 and over in households in which an adult visited Israel on a general trip would very much prefer Jewish-sponsored adult care facilities, compared to 48% of respondents age 40 and over in households in which no adult visited Israel. | 50% of respondents age 40 and over in households who did not donate to the Jewish Federation in the past year would very much prefer Jewish-sponsored adult care facilities, compared to 64% of respondents in households who donated under $100, 69% of respondents in households who donated $100-$500, and 77% of respondents in households who donated $500 and over. Preference for Jewish-Sponsored Adult Care Facilities (Jewish Respondents Age 40 and Over) 109 Israel–Visits O verall, 54% of Jewish households in Middlesex contain an adult or a Jewish or part Jewish child (member) who visited Israel. | The 54% in which a member visited Israel is well above average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 62% in Bergen and 47% in Monmouth. | The 24% in which a member visited Israel on a Jewish trip is about average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 26% in Bergen and 24% in Monmouth. The 29% in which a member visited Israel on a general trip is the seventh highest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 36% in Bergen and 24% in Monmouth. Trips to Israel by Jewish Children | 6% of households with Jewish children age 0-17 have sent a Jewish child to Israel on a Jewish trip and 13%, on a general trip. In total, 18% of households with Jewish children age 0-17 have sent a Jewish child on a trip to Israel. The 18% is the fifth highest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 33% in Bergen, 18% in Monmouth, and 10% in Pittsburgh. The 6% who have sent a Jewish child to Israel on a Jewish trip is about average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 8% in Bergen and 7% in Monmouth. The 13% who have sent a Jewish child to Israel on a general trip is the fourth highest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 25% in Bergen and 11% in Monmouth. | 18% (765 households) of households with Jewish children age 0-17 have sent a Jewish child/teenager on a trip to Israel in the past, 20% (841 households) will definitely send a Jewish teenager on a trip to Israel in the future, 37% (1,567 households) will seriously investigate sending a Jewish teenager on a trip to Israel, 9% (372 households) don’t know if they will seriously investigate sending a Jewish teenager on a trip to Israel, and 16% (679 households) will not seriously investigate sending a Jewish teenager on a trip to Israel. The 16% who will not seriously investigate sending a Jewish teenager on a trip to Israel is about average among about 20 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 19% in Bergen. Note that the comparisons with other Jewish communities need to be examined in light of the events occurring in Israel at the time of each study. Correlation of Jewish Behaviors with Trips to Israel | This study shows that having visited Israel, particularly on a Jewish trip, has a significant positive correlation with levels of religious practice, membership, philanthropy, and other measures of “Jewishness,” although we cannot attribute cause and effect to this relationship. Thus, for example, the graph at the bottom of the next page shows that 66% of households in which an adult visited Israel on a Jewish trip and 51% of households in which an adult visited Israel on a general trip are synagogue members, compared to 29% of households in which no adult visited Israel. (Note that the graph at the top of the next page shows that 69% of synagogue member households contain a member who visited Israel, compared to 41% of synagogue non-member households.) 110 Israel–Visits Households in Which a Member Visited Israel Correlation of Jewish Behaviors with Trips to Israel 111 Emotional Attachment to Israel ewish respondents in Middlesex were asked: “How emotionally attached are you to Israel? Would you say extremely, very, somewhat, or not attached?” 27% of respondents are extremely attached to Israel; 31%, very attached; 32%, somewhat attached; and 10%, not attached. In total, 58% of respondents are extremely or very attached to Israel. J | The 58% who are extremely or very attached to Israel is the third highest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 55% in Bergen and 42% in Monmouth. | 78% of respondents in households in which an adult visited Israel on a Jewish trip and 76% of respondents in households in which an adult visited Israel on a general trip are extremely or very attached to Israel, compared to 37% of respondents in households in which no adult visited Israel. Extremely or Very Attached to Israel (Jewish Respondents) 112 Anti-Semitism verall, 8% (1,896 households) of Jewish respondents in Middlesex personally experienced anti-Semitism in Middlesex in the past year. The respondent defined “anti-Semitism” for himself/herself. The 8% is the second lowest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 13% in Monmouth and 12% in Bergen. O | 13% of households with Jewish children age 6-17 contain a Jewish child age 6-17 who experienced anti-Semitism in Middlesex in the past year, mainly at school. The 13% is about average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 11% in Bergen and 10% in Monmouth. | 5% of respondents perceive a great deal of anti-Semitism in Middlesex; 26%, a moderate amount; 48%, a little; and 21%, none at all. In total, 31% of respondents perceive a great deal or moderate amount of anti-Semitism in Middlesex. The 31% is the fifth lowest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 41% in Monmouth and 37% in Bergen. Personally Experienced Anti-Semitism in Middlesex in the Past Year (Jewish Respondents) and Perceive a Great Deal or Moderate Amount of Anti-Semitism in Middlesex (Respondents) by Age of Respondent 113 The Media overall, 28% of Jewish respondents in Middlesex always read the New Jersey Jewish News; 9%, usually; 26%, sometimes; and 37%, never. In total, 37% (8,808 households) of respondents always or usually read the New Jersey Jewish News and 63% (15,072 households) always, usually, or sometimes do. The New Jersey Jewish News is privately owned, but is distributed to about 9,900 households on the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County mailing list. O | The 37% who always or usually read a local Jewish newspaper is about average among about 25 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 38% in Bergen and 29% in Monmouth. | 23% of respondents who always, usually, or sometimes read the New Jersey Jewish News and were able to provide a perception perceive it as excellent; 61%, good; 16%, fair; and 1%, poor. | The 23% excellent perceptions of the local Jewish newspaper is about average among about 20 comparison Jewish newspapers. Always or Usually Read the New Jersey Jewish News (Jewish Respondents) 114 Philanthropic Profile–Overall Donations verall, 90% of Jewish households in Middlesex reported that they donated to Any Charity (Jewish or non-Jewish) in the past year; 44%, to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County (JFGMC); 15%, to other Jewish Federations (Jewish Federations other than JFGMC); 59%, to Other Jewish Charities (Jewish charities other than Jewish Federations); 73%, to Any Jewish Charity (Jewish Federations or Other Jewish Charities); and 79%, to Non-Jewish Charities. O Donated to JFGMC in the Past Year Donated to Other Jewish Federations in the Past Year Donated to Other Jewish Charities in the Past Year Donated to Non-Jewish Charities in the Past Year 115 Philanthropic Profile–JFGMC Donations A ccording to the Telephone Survey, 44% (10,440 households) of Jewish households in Middlesex reported that they donated to JFGMC in the past year. | The 44% who donated to the local Jewish Federation in the past year according to the Telephone Survey is about average among about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 46% in Bergen, 45% in Pittsburgh, 37% in Monmouth, and 28% in New York. The 44% compares to 25% nationally for any Jewish Federation. | According to the Jewish Federation Survey, 16% (3,928 households) of households donated to JFGMC in the past year. The Telephone Survey implies that the percentage of households who donated to JFGMC in the past year is 27 percentage points higher than that suggested by the Jewish Federation Survey. Such a disparity is common in Jewish community studies. See Chapter 14 in the Main Report for more information. | The 47% who were not asked to donate to the local Jewish Federation in the past year is about average among about 40 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 59% in New York, 54% in Monmouth, and 40% in Bergen. The 47% compares to 64% nationally for any Jewish Federation. | The percentage of households who were not asked to donate to JFGMC in the past year decreases from 69% of households under age 35 to 67% of households age 35-49, 52% of households age 50-64, 42% of households age 65-74, and 34% of households age 75 and over. | Of the households asked to donate to JFGMC in the past year, 17% did not donate. The 17% of households asked who did not donate to the local Jewish Federation in the past year is about average among about 40 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 33% in New York, 21% in Bergen, and 12% in Monmouth. The 17% compares to 24% nationally for any Jewish Federation. JFGMC Market Segments in the Past Year 116 Philanthropic Profile–JFGMC Donations | 2% of households who donated to JFGMC in the past year are under age 35; 10%, age 35-49; 22%, age 50-64; 21%, age 65-74; and 45%, age 75 and over. 38% of households who donated are elderly couple households; 24%, elderly single households; 15%, households with children; 9%, non-elderly couple households; and 8%, households with only adult children. 30% of households who donated earn an annual income under $50,000 and 12%, $200,000 and over. 10% of households who donated are Orthodox; 44%, Conservative; 27%, Reform; and 20%, Just Jewish. | 60% of households who donated $500 and over to JFGMC in the past year have lived in Middlesex for 20 or more years. 50% of households who donated $500 and over are age 65 and over. 38% of households who donated $500 and over are Conservative; 27%, Orthodox; 21%, Reform; and 15%, Just Jewish. 88% of households who donated $500 and over are synagogue members; 3%, JCC members; and 79%, Jewish organization members. Donated to JFGMC in the Past Year by Age of Head of Household 117 Philanthropic Profile–JFGMC Donations Donated to JFGMC in the Past Year 118 Philanthropic Profile–JFGMC Donations JFGMC Annual Campaign | According to the Jewish Federation Survey, the JFGMC Annual Campaign decreased by 24% from $3,234,278 in 2000 (adjusted for inflation) to $2,545,640 in 2008. | According to the Jewish Federation Survey, from 2000-2002 the number of Jewish donors to the Annual Campaign increased from 6,050 donors to 6,322 donors. From 2002-2008, the number of Jewish donors decreased from 6,322 donors to 4,716 donors. | The average donation per Jewish household of $102 is the sixth lowest of about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to $594 in Pittsburgh, $235 in New York, and $90 in Monmouth. | Adjusted for inflation, the average donation per Jewish household in Middlesex was $116 in 2000 and $102 in 2008, a decrease of $14 (12%) from 2000-2008. JFGMC Annual Campaign (Adjusted for Inflation, in millions) 119 Philanthropic Profile–JFGMC Donations Table 15 Average Donation per Jewish Household to the Local Jewish Federation Comparison with Other Communities Community Year Amount Community Year Amount Minneapolis 2004 $1,114 S Palm Beach 2005 $277 Detroit 2005 $1,100 Seattle 2000 $276 Cleveland 1996 $936 Wilmington 1995 $239 Tidewater 2001 $890 New York 2002 $235 Baltimore 1999 $873 Washington 2003 $234 Charlotte 1997 $756 Philadelphia 1997 $233 Milwaukee 1996 $740 Orlando 1993 $224 Columbus 2001 $712 Buffalo 1995 $214 St. Paul 2004 $608 San Francisco 2004 $203 Pittsburgh 2002 $594 Los Angeles 1997 $187 Lehigh Valley 2007 $581 Denver 2007 $169 Chicago 2000 $581 San Diego 2003 $159 Richmond 1994 $553 Phoenix 2002 $137 Essex-Morris 2008 $537 Portland (ME) 2007 $123 Harrisburg 1994 $517 Westport 2000 $107 San Antonio 2007 $507 Cincinnati 2008 $483 St. Petersburg Middlesex 1994 2008 $107 $102 Rochester 1999 $469 Las Vegas 2005 $96 St. Louis 1995 $449 Atlantic County 2004 $92 Miami 2004 $448 Monmouth 1997 $90 Hartford 2000 $422 Howard County 1999 $78 Rhode Island 2002 $420 Broward 1999 $47 Boston 2005 $398 Jacksonville 2002 $366 W Palm Beach 2005 $358 Palm Springs 1998 $358 Tucson 2002 $306 Atlanta 2006 $297 Sarasota 2001 $291 York 1999 $281 Note: The num ber of Jewish households in the year of the study is used to calculate the average donation per Jewish household, while the cam paign inform ation is generally for 2007. To the extent that the num ber of Jewish households in a com m unity has changed since the year of the study, the Amount colum n m ay underestim ate or overestim ate the average donation per Jewish household in 2007. Source: The 2007 Annual Cam paign inform ation was provided by Lawrence Kotler-Berkowitz of the R e s e a rch D e p a rtm e n t o f U n ite d J e w is h Com m unities. 120 Philanthropic Profile–Other Donations he 73% of Jewish households in Middlesex who donated to Any Jewish Charity in the past year is the third highest of about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 71% in Bergen, 66% in Monmouth, 65% in Pittsburgh, and 58% in New York. The 73% compares to 49% nationally. T Households Who Donated to Other Jewish Charities | The 59% who donated to Other Jewish Charities in the past year is the fifth highest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 60% in Bergen, 59% in Pittsburgh, 56% in New York, and 55% in Monmouth. The 59% compares to 40% nationally. Overlap Between Households Who Donated to Other Jewish Charities and Jewish Federations | The 21% who donated to Other Jewish Charities only in the past year is about average among about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 19% in Bergen and 18% in Monmouth. The 21% compares to 22% nationally. | The 38% who donated to both Any Jewish Federation and Other Jewish Charities in the past year is about average among about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 42% in Bergen and 37% in Monmouth. The 38% compares to 20% nationally. Households Who Donated to Non-Jewish Charities | The 79% who donated to Non-Jewish Charities in the past year is about average among about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 83% in Pittsburgh, 76% in Bergen, 73% in Monmouth, and 65% in New York. The 79% compares to 63% nationally. Overlap Between Households Who Donated to Non-Jewish Charities and Jewish Charities | The 17% who donated to Non-Jewish Charities only in the past year is the eighth lowest of about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 25% in Pittsburgh, 23% in New York, 20% in Monmouth, and 16% in Bergen. The 17% compares to 24% nationally. | The 10% who donated to Jewish Charities only in the past year is about average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 17% in New York, 12% in both Monmouth and Bergen, and 7% in Pittsburgh. The 10% compares to 10% nationally. | The 63% who donated to both Any Jewish Charity and Non-Jewish Charities in the past year is the sixth highest of about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 60% in Bergen, 59% in Pittsburgh, 54% in Monmouth, and 41% in New York. The 63% compares to 40% nationally. Households Who Donated to Any Charity | The 90% who donated to Any Charity in the past year is about average among about 45 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 89% in both Bergen and Pittsburgh, 86% in Monmouth, and 90% in New York. The 90% compares to 73% nationally. 121 Philanthropic Profile–Other Donations Overlap Between Households Who Donated to Other Jewish Charities and Jewish Federations in the Past Year Overlap Between Households Who Donated to Non-Jewish Charities and Jewish Charities in the Past Year 122 Philanthropic Profile–Other Donations Donated to Charities in the Past Year by Age of Head of Household (Sample Size of Under 35 is 26) 123 Philanthropic Profile–Market Share he 15% of all charitable dollars donated by Jewish households in Middlesex to the local Jewish Federation in the past year is the seventh lowest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 18% in Monmouth and 11% in Bergen. The 20% (15% plus 5%) of charitable dollars donated to Any Jewish Federation in the past year compares to 19% nationally. T | The 49% of all charitable dollars donated to Other Jewish Charities in the past year is the second highest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 56% in Bergen and 45% in Monmouth. The 49% compares to 43% nationally. | The 31% of all charitable dollars donated to Non-Jewish Charities in the past year is the sixth lowest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 32% in Monmouth and 30% in Bergen. The 31% compares to 38% nationally. | The 69% of all charitable dollars donated to Any Jewish Charity in the past year is the sixth highest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 70% in Bergen and 68% in Monmouth. The 69% compares to 62% nationally. | Of all charitable dollars donated to Any Jewish Charity in the past year, 22% were donated to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County; 7%, to Other Jewish Federations; and 71%, to Other Jewish Charities. The 22% of Jewish charitable dollars donated to the local Jewish Federation in the past year is the sixth lowest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 27% in Monmouth and 15% in Bergen. Distribution of Charitable Dollars in the Past Year 124 Philanthropic Profile–Wills he 5% of respondents age 50 and over in Jewish households in Middlesex who have wills that contain provisions for Jewish charities is the lowest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 13% in Pittsburgh, 8% in both New York and Bergen, and 6% in Monmouth. The 5% compares to 11% nationally. (The 1% of respondents age 50 and over who have wills that contain provisions for both Jewish and Non-Jewish Charities are reported as having wills that contain provisions for Jewish charities.) T | 7% of respondents age 50 and over who are very familiar with the Jewish Federation have wills that contain provisions for Jewish charities. | 7% of respondents age 50 and over in households earning an annual income of $200,000 and over have wills that contain provisions for Jewish charities. | Among respondents age 50 and over, 15% of Orthodox Jews, 7% of Conservative Jews, 4% of Reform Jews, and 2% of the Just Jewish have wills that contain provisions for Jewish charities. | 8% of respondents age 50 and over in synagogue member households and 8% of respondents age 50 and over in Jewish organization member households have wills that contain provisions for Jewish charities. | 2% of respondents age 50 and over in households who did not donate and 5% of respondents in households who donated under $100 to the Jewish Federation in the past year have wills that contain provisions for Jewish charities, compared to 13% of respondents in households who donated $100-$500 and 10% of respondents in households who donated $500 and over. Have Wills That Contain Provisions for Charities (Respondents Age 50 and Over) 125 Philanthropic Profile–Volunteerism ewish respondents in Middlesex were asked whether they had done any “volunteer work for, or sponsored by, a synagogue, Jewish Federation, or other Jewish organization” in the past year and whether they had done any “volunteer work for, or sponsored by, any organization that is not specifically Jewish” in the past year. In total, 44% of respondents volunteered for some organization (either Jewish or non-Jewish) in the past year. J | The 26% who volunteered for Jewish organizations in the past year is about average among about 25 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 31% in Bergen and 29% in New York. The 26% compares to 23% nationally. | The 29% who volunteered for non-Jewish organizations in the past year is the third lowest of about 25 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 32% in Bergen and 31% in New York. The 29% compares to 34% nationally. | The 15% who volunteered for Jewish organizations but not for non-Jewish organizations in the past year is about average among about 25 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 20% in Bergen and 12% in New York. The 15% compares to 8% nationally. | The 17% who volunteered for non-Jewish organizations but not for Jewish organizations in the past year is the fifth lowest of about 25 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 21% in Bergen and 14% in New York. The 17% compares to 20% nationally. Volunteered for Jewish and Non-Jewish Organizations in the Past Year (Jewish Respondents) 126 Philanthropic Profile–Volunteerism Volunteered for Jewish and Non-Jewish Organizations in the Past Year by Age of Respondent (Jewish Respondents) 127 Philanthropic Profile–Attitudes espondents in Jewish households in Middlesex who donated $100 and over to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County (JFGMC), Other Jewish Federations, or Other Jewish Charities (Jewish charities other than Jewish Federations) in the past year were asked whether each of several motivations is very important, somewhat important, or not at all important in their decisions to donate to a Jewish organization. R | All of the motivations are at least somewhat important to the vast majority of respondents. | Compared to about 20 comparison Jewish communities, the percentages of respondents who consider supporting the people of Israel and supporting educational trips to Israel to be very important motivations are both the third highest. The percentage of respondents who consider providing individual and family counseling for Jews to be a very important motivation is above average. The percentages of respondents who consider the other five motivations to be very important are all about average. | In most Jewish communities, including Middlesex, providing social services for the Jewish elderly, supporting the people of Israel, combating anti-Semitism, and providing Jewish education for children, are considered to be very important motivations by a majority of respondents, while helping Jews overseas who are in distress, providing individual and family counseling for Jews, supporting educational trips to Israel, and providing social, recreational, and cultural activities for Jews, are considered to be very important motivations by fewer respondents. Percentage Who Reported That Each Motivation Is “Very Important” (Respondents in Households Who Donated $100 and Over to JFGMC, Other Jewish Federations, or Other Jewish Charities in the Past Year) 128 Philanthropic Profile–Attitudes espondents in Jewish households in Middlesex who donated $100 and over to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County (JFGMC) in the past year were asked whether each of several motivations would cause them to donate more to JFGMC. R | 33% of respondents would donate more to JFGMC if more of the money went to local needs, while 24% would donate more if more of the money went to needs in Israel and overseas. . | The 35% who would donate more to the local Jewish Federation if they were asked by a close friend is the third highest of about 20 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 37% in Bergen. | The 33% who would donate more to the local Jewish Federation if more of the money went to local needs is about average among about 20 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 36% in Bergen. | The 27% who would donate more to the local Jewish Federation if they had more say over how the money was spent is about average among about 20 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 43% in Bergen. | The 24% who would donate more to the local Jewish Federation if more of the money went to needs in Israel and overseas is above average among about 20 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 27% in Bergen. | The 22% who would donate more to the local Jewish Federation if they were asked in person is above average among about ten comparison Jewish communities. | The 1% who would donate more to the local Jewish Federation if they received more recognition for their donation is about average among about 20 comparison Jewish communities and compares to 5% in Bergen. Percentage Who Reported That Each Motivation Would Cause Them to Donate More to JFGMC (Respondents in Households W ho Donated $100 and Over to JFGMC in the Past Year) 129 Acknowledgments The author wishes to acknowledge the assistance of Laura Safran, Planning and Allocations Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County. Laura worked extremely hard to make the study go smoothly. Of particular note are the significant effort and interpersonal skills she demonstrated in gathering data from more than 50 synagogues. She is truly dedicated to the Middlesex Jewish community. Gerrie Bamira, Executive Director, and Susan Antman, Associate Director, also contributed to the study. The Demographic Advisory Committee and the Study Development Committee, chaired by Barry Sherman, also contributed greatly to the quality of the project, making suggestions that resulted in new questions and improvements to existing questions. The Committees also expended significant effort to publicize the study so that the community would be ready to take part in the study. Lee Livingston, President of the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, is commended for having the foresight to recognize the importance of such a study for the Middlesex Jewish community. Thanks are due to my staff, including Roberta Pakowitz, Sarah Markowitz, and Karen Tina Sheskin, for their assistance and dedication to the project, and especially to Joshua Sheskin who, as Assistant Field Supervisor, worked 15 hour days helping to supervise the interviewing team and successfully obtain surveys from reluctant respondents. Special thanks go to the 1,076 respondents who donated their time to this effort and to our 43 interviewers, almost all of whom were members of the Middlesex Jewish community, who worked with great dedication on this study. This study is dedicated to the future of the Jewish community of Middlesex County. L’dor V’dor From Generation to Generation Ira M. Sheskin, Ph.D. January 2009 Tevet 5769 130