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

Almost three-quarters (71 percent) of residents who attend Jewish-themed events or activities
prefer events in the East Bay, significantly higher than their peers who do not attend events (29
percent), and much higher than East Bay Jews overall (41 percent). There is almost no
discomfort among regular event attendees with holding Jewish East Bay events in a synagogue
(91 percent).
Few East Bay Jewish residents attend informal spiritual events regularly, with only 9 percent
saying they attend such a gathering either weekly or monthly. Almost three-quarters of regular
attendees feel very involved in the Jewish community, significantly higher than non-attendees
and East Bay Jewish residents overall; 28 percent would like to be more involved. Those who
are more active in the local Jewish community, such as attending synagogue at least weekly,
are among those who attend these informal spiritual events.
Figure 52: Spiritual Event Attendees are More Likely to Desire More Involvement
For each of the following actions, please tell me how often you do each one - at least once a week, once or twice a
month, a couple times a year, hardly ever, or never --Attend a Chavurah, or informal gathering for Jewish spiritual
needs or to share lifecycle events
Part of the Community
Desired Involvement in the Community
100
91
100
80
80
80
76
60
71
60
61
40
46
40
20
0
19
9
6
6
A lot/some A little/not at all A lot/some A little/not at all
20
0
28
7 18
2
More Same Less More Same Less
Spiritual event
attendees
Non- Spiritual
event attendees
Spiritual event
attendees
Non- Spiritual
event attendees
53