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

Tzedakah in the Jewish Community
A large majority of Jewish residents of the East Bay report that they give to charitable causes;
however, they are significantly more likely to give to non-Jewish causes than Jewish causes,
including Israel. They are least likely to give to either the Federation nationally or the
Federation of the Easy Bay.
Specifically:
• Jewish residents give generously — 80 percent have given to a non-Jewish cause in the
last five years. Fewer give to specifically Jewish causes.
• Residents are more likely to donate in general support of Jewish organizations than to
donate either to Israel or to the Jewish Federation (national or East Bay).
• Donations are more likely to come from more affluent and older residents, as well as
people involved in other ways in the Jewish community (e.g., belong to a synagogue).
• Federation donors have a strong connection to the community; they both feel a strong
sense of belonging and say they are very involved in the Jewish community. They tend
to be older and longer term residents of the area.
• Most Federation donors give to other Jewish and non-Jewish causes, but there is less
reciprocity. In other words, donors to other causes are less likely to give to the
Federation.
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