The Paradoxical Effects of Jewish Community Size on Jewish Communal Behavior: Intermarriage, Synagogue Membership and Giving to Local Jewish Federations

Publication Date: January 1989

Publisher: Association for the Social Scientific Study of Jewry

Author(s): Jonathan Rabinowitz

Research Area: Culture and religion; Social conditions

Keywords: American Jews; Fundraising/Philanthropy; Marriage

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

The research reports on insights gained into Jewish communal behavior by measuring the effects of community size on three aspects of Jewish communal life: rates of intermarriage, synagogue membership, and giving to the Jewish federation. Size is believed to be an important structural variable affecting communal behavior. This study is an attempt to apply a macro structural theory of intergroup relations as developed by Blau and Schwartz (1984).