The Impact of Varieties of Jewish Education upon Jewish Identity: an Inter-Generational Perspective

Publication Date: January 1995

Publisher: Jewish Agency for Israel. Jewish Education Committee

Author(s): Steven M. Cohen

Research Area: Education

Keywords: North American Jews; Jewish Education; Jewish Identification

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

This study assesses the impact of several forms of Jewish education upon composite measures of Jewish identity for teenagers and for their parents. The analysis controls for each generation's parents' Jewishness as well as for other factors. All forms of Jewish education, except Sunday school, are associated with higher levels of Jewish identity in
both generations. The putative effects of day school, including non-Orthodox day schools, are especially pronounced. Among adults, all forms of Jewish education, except Sunday school, are associated with lower rates of intermarriage. The likely impact of youth groups, Israel travel on intermarriage rates are rather small.