Jewish Distinctiveness in America - A Statistical Portrait

Publication Date: April 2005

Publisher: American Jewish Committee

Author(s): Tom W. Smith

Research Area: Culture and religion

Keywords: American Jews; Community Relations

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

To extent our understanding of the position of Jews in contemporary society, this report examines American Jews through comparative perspectives. By comparing Jews to other ethnical/racial and religious groups, one can determine which groups Jews are closer to; comparison over time enable us to examine recent sociopolitical change. By comparing different types of Jews (denominations; level of observance) one can investigate the degree of internal solidarity and see how different subgroups of Jews are related to non-Jews. These comparisons provide notable insights into the nature, role, and position of Jews in contemporary America.