East Bay Jewish Community Study - Jewish Federation of the ...

Unaffiliated Jews do not purport to be uncomfortable at attending Jewish events or activities in
Jewish spaces. Just shy of 10 percent are uncomfortable attending events in a synagogue.
While 46 percent report that it is easy to find information about events in the East Bay Jewish
community, 44 percent were unable to answer, suggesting that they have never tried to find
information about upcoming events.
Few of the unaffiliated cite specific reasons as contributing to their lack of involvement. Only 6
percent strongly agree that the events sponsored by the East Bay Jewish community are boring,
13 percent strongly agree that events are too far away, and 16 percent strongly agree that being
Jewish is too expensive.
Figure 90: Unaffiliated Jews Are Ambivalent Towards Community Overall
Now, please tell me whether you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. (Ranked by percent of
unaffiliated who say ‘strongly agree’)
The Jewish community in the East Bay is generally welcoming to
non-Jewish partners and spouses of Jews who are in interfaith
relationships.
I feel comfortable attending organized Jewish events, committees,
or events sponsored by East Bat Jewish organizations
Strongly Agree
20
20
40
Somewhat Agree
42
The Jewish community in the East Bay is warm and welcoming to
Jews who are lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, or transgender.
Jewish organizations in the East Bay do a good job of providing
opportunities to do Jewish-themed activities with my kids **
Sometimes it just seems so expensive to be part of the Jewish
community, with the cost of synagogue memberships, summer
camp, and day school for the kids.
I would prefer that East Bay Jewish organizations provide
activities that connect me with other Jewish people, but that are
not Jewish themed or based around faith in anyway.
20
17
16
13
29
30
31
34
Events and activities sponsored by East Bay Jewish organizations
are too far away from the places I live or work
13
21
I feel uncomfortable at Jewish-themed events because I d not
know much about Jewish faith or traditions.
12
31
I do not feel comfortable bringing my non-Jewish partner or
spouse to organized Jewish events.
8
20
Too many Jewish-themed events in the East Bay turn out to be
boring or uninteresting to me.
6
16
0 20 40 60 80
** Item asked only of parents
94