How Socially Integrated into Mainstream America are Young American Jews?

Abstract

The degree to which Jews are or are not integrated into non-Jewish societies, and the consequences of this integration or the lack thereof, has been debated at least since the emancipation of Jews in the 18th century. As a contribution to this discussion, the present paper examines the social integration of young adult Jews into American society. Findings are based on social network analysis of data collected in the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University 2010 Jewish Futures Study as well as comparative data from other sources. First, ego network data are compared to a more conventional survey question about Jewish friends, revealing substantive differences in interpretation and distribution. Second, homophily index scores for young adults Jews are compared to those for young adults of other religions and are found to be similar. Third, the settings in which young adult Jews meet Jewish and non-Jewish friends and spouses are examined. The study finds that non-Jewish settings predominate in the lives of young adults, particularly as they grow older and separate from their Jewish family of origin. Non-Jewish spouses are more commonly met in college, graduate school, or the workplace, while Jewish spouses more commonly meet in childhood or through friends and family. The authors conclude that the creation of forums for meeting other young adult Jews should be a high priority on the Jewish communal agenda.