Building Jewish Identity: A Study of Young Judea Alumni

Publication Date: January 1998

Publisher:

Author(s): Alan Ganapol; Steven M. Cohen

Research Area: Culture and religion

Keywords: Israel Attachment; Jewish Identification; American Jews

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

Against a background of heightened anxiety over assimilation and the future of American Jews, this study seeks to assess the long-range impact of Young Judaea upon the Jewish identity of its alumni. It addresses a straightforward question: How do former participants in any of the variety of Young Judaea programs over nearly half a century differ from their counterparts in several critical areas of Jewish involvement? These include in-marriage, ritual practice, communal affiliation, attachment to Israel, and a commitment to raising Jewishly involved children. In the simplest of terms, how, if at all, did the Young Judaea experience affect the Jewish identities of former participants years later?