American Jewish leaders have been changing – but we don’t exactly know how. We think that leaders in their 20s and 30s are different from those in their 50s and 60s. And we imagine that the Boomers today differ from the Boomers two or three decades ago.

Leaders may vary in their hopes and fears; in the issues that capture their interest, and that drive them to act; and in the ways in which they see Jews, Judaism, and the world. They may differ in terms of their life experiences that have led them to be who they are today.

But, with all this said, we’re not sure of the extent of differences; and we certainly know little about the diverse views and interests of Jewish leaders across America.

To explore these issues, concerns that are critical to policy makers, philanthropists, and the Jewish public, I am inviting you to participate in, “The 2009 Survey of Leadership and American Jewish Life.” Whether you see yourself as a “Jewish leader” or not, and however old or young you may be, I’d like you to participate.

The survey is part of a larger effort to explore these and related issues, entitled, “The 2009 Avi Chai Study of American Jewish Leaders.” That effort draws upon the talents of six social scientists – younger and older, throughout the US – led by Prof. Jack Wertheimer, with a grant from the Avi Chai Foundation.

Please open the survey with this link. Simply hit Cntrl+Click: Jewish Leaders Survey

Or, you cut and paste this link in your browser: http://researchsuccess.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_eqSZoS4lhWjrdU8&SVID=Prod

As you begin to answer the questions, I think you’ll find that this survey is unlike any you’ve taken before, certainly any you’ve taken on Jewish matters. We raise some fairly complex issues in ways which I hope are both clearly articulated and genuinely stimulating.

How long will the survey take to complete? We think that you’ll get through the bulk of the questionnaire and arrive at the Demographics section within 15 minutes. If you’re willing and able to continue, we have 5-7 minutes of additional questions, after Demographics. Of course, you are free to stop at any time, but I hope you will complete as much of the survey as possible.

Your answers will be treated confidentially, but not anonymously. That means that I’ll never share your identity or individual answers with anybody; but, in theory, since I have your e-mail, I do know who you are. My promise of confidentiality is backed up by 40 years of Jewish social survey research (I started as a Columbia undergraduate).

I’ll be sharing the compiled results of the survey with you as soon as they are ready for distribution. Should you have any comments, write me directly at Steve34NYC@AOL.COM.

Many thanks,
Prof. Steven Cohen