ATTITUDES TOWARDS JEWISH COMMUNAL INSTITUTIONS

Attitudes Toward Jewish Communal Institutions

Community institutions are generally seen in a positive light, but not everyone feels well represented

The absence of strong engagement is by no means a sign of antipathy, but it does point to the lack of a deep connection with Jewish communal institutions. Yet, those who are familiar with the organizations see them in a generally favorable light. When exploring the positive traits of communal institutions, 56% had a favorable impression of the Jewish Federation “in your area,” with only 8% unfavorable. Feelings about their “local Jewish Community Center” were a bit better, with 66% favorable and only 6% unfavorable. But 28% did not have an impression of the local JCC, and 36% did not have an impression of the Federation.

Some of this can be attributed to a lack of interest or opinions of the unengaged Jews. Fortynine percent of these do not have an opinion about the Jewish Federation, and 39% do not have an opinion about the Jewish Community Center (JCC). It is worth noting that among the unengaged members of the community, fewer than one in ten had unfavorable opinions (7% about the Jewish Federation, 5% about the JCC).