Study Finds Many Jews Stay Away From Services

Although the synagogue is a key to Jewish identity, one of the central institutions of Jewish life, Jews are among the most unchurched of all Americans.

According to a new study of Jewish religious life, just one-quarter of American Jews reported attending services at least once a month. That contrasts with a much higher number of Christians, about 40%, who say they attend church at least that often.

Only a minority of Jews--39%--are synagogue members, and that number, the study’s authors say, may be inflated. The reason is that Jews who attend synagogue services may describe themselves as members even though they may not pay dues.

The analysis, based on data from nearly 2,500 Jewish households, is called “Synagogue Affiliation: Implications for the 1990s.” The authors are Gary Tobin and Gabriel Berger of Brandeis University’s Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies.

The study shows that one-third of American Jews attend synagogue on the High Holy Days or a few other times a year. Another 23% go just on special occasions related to rites of passage, such as a wedding.

Tobin, director of the Cohen Center, said that studies in communities comparing survey responses to questions about membership with actual synagogue membership have shown that twice as many Jews say they are synagogue members as really are.

The relationship of synagogue membership to Jewish identity is strong, according to the study. It shows that Jews who are synagogue members are much more likely to participate in other spheres of Jewish life and are more likely to volunteer for Jewish organizations.

Synagogue members are also more likely to give generously to Jewish and non-Jewish causes than non-members, the survey says.

The percentage of Jews who belong to a synagogue “includes the most activist elements of American Jewish society,” said Tobin. Furthermore, according to the study, synagogue affiliation leads to growth in Jewish identity.

“While participation in organized religion originates as a private matter, it leads progressively to an expanding concern and commitment to the larger community of Jews,” the authors wrote.

The study’s key findings include the fact that Jews ages 25 to 34 are the least likely to belong to a synagogue; just 27.5% of respondents that age said they do.

The age groups with the highest affiliation rate are the youngest and oldest adults; just over 45% of Jews age 18 to 24 and 75 and over now belong to a synagogue. Forty-two to 45% of Jews between ages 45 and 74 belong.