Russian-Jewish Immigrants in the United States: Identity and Integration Challenges

Russian-Jewish Immigration to the United States History of Immigration Started in the late 1960s and early 1970s “Samoletnoe Delo” Start of the Soviet Jewry movement Documentary “Redeeming the Captives” “Triumph over Tyranny” by Philip Spiegel

Russian-Jewish Immigration to the United States Facts and Figures Today an estimate of 350, 000 Russian-speaking immigrants live in New York About 750,000 Russian-speaking immigrants live in the U.S. Russian speakers make up 19 % of the Jews in the five boroughs of New York City [The Jewish Community Study 2002]. About a third of the Russian-speaking Jewish population now living in America arrived during the 1970s [ Election 2000 ].

Story of Success Russian immigrants comprise the best-educated group in U.S. immigration history [Election 2000] Some 65% have college education and another 10% advanced degrees. Russian-speaking Jews have succeeded in the highest-paying professions as doctors, dentists, lawyers, and accountants. A high level of overall satisfaction - 64% of those who live in America for 9 years or more are mostly satisfied with life [ Election, 2000,23]

Annual Household Income of the Employed Population

A Global Community Today, 25% of Russian-speaking Jews still have relatives in the Former Soviet Union 61% of Russian-speaking Jews have first-degree relatives in Israel and another 20% have relatives that are more distant. [Presidential Election 2004] About 40% of them have relatives or close friends in Germany and 25% in Australia.

Identity Challenges Heterogeneous community Jewish identity does not mean religious identification or practice Only 55% identify themselves as “definitely” Jewish with another 10% saying they are “partly” or “somewhat” Jewish. Five basic categories of identification: General Jewish Sub-Ethnic Jewish Immigrant identification American identification Cosmopolitan identification

Examples of Mixed Identities Percentage said they have mostly this identity Just Jewish 70% Russian, Soviet Jew 50% Ukrainian Jew 22% Belarusian Jew 8% Bukharian Jew Mountain Jew 7% Jew, New American 29% American of Jewish origin 14% American of Russian origin 9% American 16% Russian Immigrant 56% Russian 20%

Religious Challenges Religion as a cultural, traditional, or philosophical concept Many Russian Jews combine belief in God with low religious activity or practice They are Jews through ethnicity, memory, culture, literature, etc. but not through religion “In God We Trust” - belief as a philosophical concept – more than 70% “believers”-faith in God has a sacred significance and place in his heart – 45% “religion and morality”- belief that religion and morality go hand in hand -- 25% “religious practice”- religion plays a very important role in their lives 15%

Religious Challenges Reform and Conservative movements have achieved limited success in reaching out to the community Jewish education for children remains a serious concern for many Russian-Jewish families. There is growing synagogue attendance in areas heavily populated by Russian-Jewish immigrants “detached affiliation”

Political Involvement, engagement, and ideology Russian Jews are perceived as conservative and Republican Republican candidates appeal strongly due to strong support for Israel and a tough position against terrorism 2004 Elections supported G.W. Bush, 2008 Elections supported John McCain Conservative on some social issues e.g. 77% in favor of the dead penalty, 81 % are against same-sex marriage, but liberal on others e.g. 66% think abortion should be legal Anti-Semitism in Russia and the FSU countries remains a very serious concern 85% and 83% in Europe

Registered Voters New York, 2000 New York, 2004 New York, 2008

Voting Patterns 2000-2008 New York, Aug-Sept 2000

Community Challenges Activism, voluntarism, and charity were unfamiliar to many Russians Detached affiliation-establishing and maintaining a comfortable distance from major American-Jewish organizations and their activities

Community Challenges “Clash of civilizations” between the American-Jewish establishment and the Russian-speaking Jews Russian Jews in America are perceived as indifferent to Jewish heritage and Jewish communal life Protestantism versus Eastern Orthodoxy Russian Jews influenced by Russian culture, deeply rooted in Russian Orthodoxy, and the Soviet communist regime. Fundamental cultural differences: Trust and Fear

“The Future Belongs to Me” For how long the 1.5 and the second generations will keep their “Russian” component? The global Russian-speaking community and its political implications New developments between the Diasporas and the governments of Russia and other FSU countries.