1. What we know about Jewish Boomers: Highlights from Two Recent Studies

2. Generations & Re-Generation
Report 1:
Generations & Re-Generation
David Elcott and Stuart Himmelfarb,
B3/The Jewish Boomer Platform and
NYU Research Center for Leadership and Action, 2014
More than 12,500 surveys completed across the United States
44% responses from Boomers
Report published in 2014

3. Employed and Plan to Remain So
Employment Status
Currently work full time
43%
Currently work part time
12%
Self employed (How is self-employed different than the categories above)
Retired
14%
Volunteer full time without pay 2%
Volunteer part time without pay

4. Employed and Plan to Remain So
Boomers Employment Plans (next 5 years)
Begin or change to a new field or career
11%
Work part time
16%
Retire but do volunteer work on a regular basis
Retire fully 4%
Continue doing what I am doing now
40%

5. Support Charities Within the previous 12 months:
94% donated to Jewish charities
96% donated to non-Jewish charities
77% had a one-time volunteer experience
67% had an on-going volunteer experience
76% served on a committee, task force, or board

6. For some, identity is becoming more important than 10 years ago
Being Jewish - 21%
Being part of a Jewish community - 22%
Feeling part of my local community - 18%
Belonging to the Jewish people - 17%
Being knowledgeable about Jewish issues - 24%
Being a spiritual person - 19%
Feel more spiritual - 29%

7. Engaged in Jewish Life Boomers’ Jewish Activities Often Some-times
Rarely
Never
Jewish museum or cultural event (music, performance, etc)
28%
53%
16% 2%
Shabbat meal and/or activity 6%
20%
29%
43%
Jewish learning
31%
27%
14%
Jewish religious services
36%
38%
21% 4%
Reading or viewing Jewish information or materials online
50%
34%
12%

8. Should We Stay or Should We Go? Synagogue Empty Nesters on the Edge
Report 2
Should We Stay or Should We Go? Synagogue Empty Nesters on the Edge
David Elcott and Stuart Himmelfarb, B3 Platform & NYU
for: Synergy, UJA Federation of NY, 2016
Report local to Westchester County, New York
25 synagogue leaders responses
1,284 individuals, mostly synagogue members
Report published in 2016

9. Synagogue Members
“Committed” Members 49% Reported they never considered leaving the synagogue “On-the-Fence” Members 47% Reported they had considered leaving the synagogue

10. Synagogue Value Former Members On-the-Fence Committed Members
I feel I can get all of the Jewish involvement I want without belonging to a synagogue.
73%
13% 3%
I feel I can get all of the Jewish involvement I want without belonging to a Jewish organization.
71%
22%
11%
I feel I can get all of the Jewish involvement I want with my family and friends.
69%
16%
10%
Nowadays I can get my Jewish involvement online through videos, streaming, and other media.
31%
14%
12%

11. On-the-Fence Members considered leaving because
It is getting too expensive
52%
It is not as meaningful as it once was
26%
I don’t feel a personal connection there
25%
I want to try another synagogue
22%
I don’t agree with what is going on at the synagogue
20%
I am not happy with the services and rituals
19%
As I have gotten older, I don’t think it meets my needs
18%
My friends have left
14%
We are considering relocating
13%
My children have all been Bar or Bat Mitzvah

12. Former Members left because
Synagogue Leaders
Lack of connection with clergy
46% --
Children became Bar or Bat Mitzvah
39%
80%+
No children living at home
37%
25%
Unhappy with synagogue administration
29%
Change in financial status
21%
54%