Brandeis University just released a new study of Jewish college students. It found that they're proud to be Jewish, largely unaffiliated, attracted to Jewish culture more than religion, like diversity, and don't feel strong ties to Israel or Jewish federations.
Reboot, a nonprofit that promotes creative Jewish initiatives, just did a study of the same age group, and found that they're proud to be Jewish, avoid institutional affiliation, are interested in Jewish culture and have diverse allegiances.
Sociologist Steven Cohen of Hebrew Union College-New York did a similar study, as did Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, and they both found... guess what? Young Jews are proud, unaffiliated, pro-culture, pro-diversity and anti-tribal.
The last few months have seen a flood of studies of Gen-Y Jews — young people aged 18-25 — all trying to map their sense of Jewish identity, affiliation patterns, needs, hopes, beliefs and behaviors.
Read the full story >>>