Creating Gender Equality and Organizational Effectiveness in the Jewish Federation System: A Research-and-Action Project

Publication Date: January 2004

Publisher: Advancing Women Professionals and the Jewish Community

Author(s): Steven M. Cohen; Shifra Bronznick; Didi Goldenhar; Sherry Israel; Shaul Kelner

Research Area: Culture and religion; Population and demographics; Social conditions

Keywords: American Jews; Gender; Leadership

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

The research sought to address three questions related to the phenomenon of the under-representation of women in the very highest ranks of Jewish Federation professional leadership: To what may we attribute the gender imbalance in the professional leadership of the Federations?; What adverse consequences for the Jewish communal environment ensue from this gender imbalance?; and What strategies can successfully diminish this gender imbalance. The research is based in 93 face-to-face interviews with Federation lay and professional leadership of 14 Jewish communities.