The first-ever Portrait of Bay Area Jewish Life and Communities depicts one of America’s largest and most diverse Jewish populations – as reported in a new social scientific study released today. Commissioned by the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin, and Sonoma Counties (The Federation), the Portrait aims to deeply explore and richly understand the Bay Area Jewish community’s social landscape. The online survey interviewed more than 3,000 respondents from 10 counties – Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, and Sonoma.
The Bay Area is home to the 4th largest Jewish population in the U.S., with 350,000 Jews and 123,000 non-Jews living in 148,000 Jewish households.
While the total Jewish population in the Bay Area has likely been stable over recent years, it is growing in the East Bay and shrinking in San Francisco. Of Jews in the Bay Area, 1/3 live in the East Bay, 1/3 live in the Peninsula and South Bay, and 1/6 live in San Francisco County.
Young adults (18-34) comprise 37% of all adults in Jewish households, a higher percentage than in any other recently conducted major American Jewish community study. They move around significantly within the region, in part due to the cost of living in certain areas, but also reflective of national trends that have de-stabilized the economic and family lives of today’s younger adult generation. Because of high rates of financial and geographic insecurity, young adults seek out community services. The Boomer generation – born between 1946 and 1964 – is the second largest major age cohort, comprising 34% of all adults in Jewish households.
The Bay Area Jewish population is diverse. One-in-ten households overall, and one-in-five in San Francisco specifically, include a lesbian, gay, or bisexual person. 25% of Bay Area Jewish households include a Hispanic, Asian-American, African-American, or a mixed or other ethnic or racial background (other than white) individual. And, inter-group marriage (defined as marriage between Jewish and non-Jewish persons) rates vary widely by age, from a low of 42% among those 65 and older to a high of 66% among those 35 and under.
As with apparent national trends, there is rising neutrality toward Israel. In particular, younger Jews (and liberals, intermarried, and the unaffiliated) are less likely to be very attached to or sympathize with Israel.
The study revealed wide economic disparities, with major concentrations of wealth alongside significant numbers of economically insecure households. While 22% of households report they are “just managing” financially or “cannot make ends meet,” 17% say they are “well off.” In terms of family income, 11% earn under $50,000 annually, and 13% report $250,000 or more.
In examining engagement in Jewish life, a relatively small, highly engaged affiliated population is offset by a much larger unaffiliated population that is substantially less engaged, particularly young adults. One half of young adults attend Passover Seders, and one quarter regard being Jewish as very important.
The Study was prepared by Professor Steven M. Cohen of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and Dr. Jacob B. Ukeles.
Study Highlights and Principal Investigator profiles are available here; the highlights are available for download here.
The Study was supported by the Jim Joseph Foundation; Koret Foundation, Laszlo N. Tauber Family Foundation, Levine-Lent Family Foundation, Lisa & John Pritzker Family Fund, Newton and Rochelle Becker Charitable Trust, Sinai Memorial Chapel, Taube Philanthropies; Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, and individual donors.
Top
Congratulations to both the Bay Area and Washington D.C. communities for collecting critically important, informative, and likely illuminating data. Now comes the real work–acting on the information.
I wonder if–given the significant size of both these communities; the fact that they are bi-coastal; their striking diversity; and the relatively new tenure of each of the Federation chief executives–there might be opportunity for the Bay Area and D.C. federations to actively share their implementation strategies and to widely disseminate what they learn from evaluation of the work they undertake.
Perhaps JFNA and independent funders can collaborate with the federations, creating a bona fide partnership, to support a multi-year effort in two distinctive Jewish communities that will demonstrate approaches for effective use of demographic data.
The recent community studies of both the Bay Area and Washington, D.C.
offer an extraordinary opportunity for all of our Jewish communities to reach the increasing population of interfaith couples and families.
We have important values, ethics, and ritually abundant traditions to offer those not born into Judaism.
The question is whether we can make significant changes in attitudes and language, thus reducing the barriers that often represent a defensive stance against those who dare to try to participate with us.
It is gratifying to see the strides made in the Bay Area, but as long as there is a differential between the welcoming and treatment of interfaith couples/families, there is work to be done.
The challenge of 21st century liberal Judaism is not just to say we are welcoming, but to educate, train and hold accountable ourselves and our leaders to truly be open and supportive
to those seeking to become part of the Jewish community.
InterfaithFamily, founded 15 years ago to assist, educate and empower interfaith couples and families to participate in Jewish life in ways that are meaningful to them, continues to be a unique resource. In addition to providing online and community based support, we work with synagogues and agencies nationwide to advocate for and develop best practices for meaningful welcoming throughout the lives of interfaith families.
Paul Cohen
National Board Chair, InterfaithFamily
This study and the DC study reveal large populations and weak communities.