Workmen’s Circle / Arbeter Ring 2012 American
Jews’ Political Values Survey
(2012)
Youngest Adults Show Evidence of a Birthright Bump in Attachment to
Israel Along with Decreased Relative Trust in Israel
| Age of Respondent |
Attached
to Israel Index (0-100) |
Trust in
Israel Index (0-100) |
% Been to
Israel at least once |
% Being Jewish
"Very Important" to me |
% Monthly
Attend Services |
% with Half
or more of closest Friends Jewish |
| Under 35 |
39% |
57% |
34% |
85% |
13% |
35% |
| 35-44 |
24% |
59% |
22% |
83% |
14% |
49% |
| 45-54 |
40% |
67% |
26% |
81% |
20% |
47% |
| 55-64 |
42% |
70% |
30% |
72% |
14% |
45% |
| 65+ |
44% |
78% |
29% |
72% |
15% |
65% |
| Total |
39% |
67% |
29% |
79% |
15% |
48% |
Which of the following describes you best?
Not sure |
I have no
desire to be politically active |
I would
be more politically active if I had more time |
I'd like
to be more politically active, but I'm not sure how |
I am politically
active |
5% |
38% |
27% |
16% |
14% |
What are your views on the following issues?
|
Strongly Disagree |
Disagree |
Not Sure |
Agree |
Strongly Agree |
The Palestinian Authority
truly wants peace |
46% |
25% |
24% |
3% |
2% |
The current Israeli
government truly wants peace |
2% |
11% |
29% |
32% |
26% |
The Israeli government
wants to prevent the emergence of a Palestinian state |
6% |
16% |
32% |
27% |
18% |
The Palestinians seek
Israel's destruction |
1% |
3% |
18% |
24% |
54% |
Israel should freeze
the expansion of settlements on the West Bank |
10% |
12% |
39% |
23% |
17% |
Please answer the following questions regarding the Israelis and Palestinians:
Who is more to blame for the failure of both sides to reach a peace
agreement?
Israelis More to Blame |
1% |
Palestinians
More to Blame |
57% |
Both equally |
32% |
Not sure |
10% |
Who should the U.S. support?
US should support
Palestinians |
0% |
US should
support Israel |
73% |
Both Equally |
17% |
Not sure |
9% |
To what extent do you see yourself as...
| |
Not Important |
Somewhat Important |
Very Important |
Extremely Important |
A cultural Jew |
18% |
41% |
36% |
4% |
A religious Jew |
51% |
33% |
13% |
4% |
| Pro-Israel |
8% |
21% |
42% |
33% |
| A Zionist |
49% |
21% |
14% |
16% |
As a child, what was the main type of Jewish schooling you received,
if any?
A day school |
9% |
A "shule"
or secular school or school that emphasized Jewish culture |
6% |
Another type of Jewish
school that met afternoons or weekends, twice a week or more |
33% |
A Sunday school |
22% |
None |
30% |
How important is being Jewish in your life, if at all?
Very important |
44% |
Somewhat
important |
37% |
Not too important |
14% |
Not at all important |
5% |
Aside from weddings, funerals or family events, how often do you attend
Jewish religious services?
Once a week or more |
2-3 times a month |
Once a month |
A few times a year |
Once or twice a year |
Never |
9% |
6% |
6% |
18% |
22% |
39% |
On Yom Kippur, do you usually fast at least part of the day?
Yes |
No |
Not sure |
55% |
41% |
3% |
Referring to Jewish religious denominations, what do you consider yourself,
if any?
Orthodox |
Conservative |
Reform |
Reconstructionist |
Non-denominational |
Secular Jewish |
Culturally Jewish |
Just Jewish |
Not Jewish |
Not sure |
8% |
18% |
31% |
1% |
2% |
4% |
8% |
22% |
5% |
8% |
Do you belong to a...
| |
Yes |
No |
Synagogue, Temple, havurah or minyan? |
33% |
67% |
Church or other non-Jewish
house of worship? |
99% |
1% |
In the past 2 years, have you served on the board, or in any leadership
capacity in...
| |
Yes |
A synagogue? |
15% |
A Jewish activist, progressive
or social justice project or organization? |
11% |
| Any other Jewish organization? |
- |
To what extent would you say that your Jewish identity is important
in shaping your political identity?
To a great extent |
35% |
| Somewhat |
42% |
| Not at all |
18% |
| Not sure |
5% |
To what extent would you say that your political identity is important
in shaping your Jewish identity?
To a great extent |
10% |
| Somewhat |
25% |
| Not at all |
58% |
| Not sure |
8% |
Source: The
Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring, 2012.
|
