Nondenominational Jewish adults account for a significant and growing segment of the adult Jewish population in New York’s eight-county area. About 42% of Jewish adults eschew a denominational label, including 13% who identify as having no denomination and 29% who identify as culturally Jewish.
In comparison with their denominational counterparts, nondenominational Jewish adults more frequently reside in Manhattan and less frequently reside in Brooklyn. They also are less likely to be married, and among those that do marry, more likely to be intermarried. Nondenominational Jewish adults were primarily raised nondenominational, feel less connected to the Jewish community in New York, and are less engaged in Jewish life overall. They do, however, regularly celebrate Jewish holidays and occasionally participate in Jewish organizations and donate to Jewish causes.
| Total Jewish Adults | 1,076,000 |
| Nondenominational Adults | 452,000 |
| - No Denomination | 143,000 |
| - Culturally Jewish | 309,000 |
Of the approximately 1,076,000 Jewish adults in New York’s eight-county area, 452,000 are nondenominational. This includes 143,000 that identify as having no denomination and 309,000 who identify as culturally Jewish.
| Denomination Raised | % of Nondenominational Jewish Adults |
|---|---|
| Orthodox | 4% |
| Conservative | 17% |
| Reform | 16% |
| Other | 4% |
| No denomination | 58% |
| Total | 100% |
The majority (58%) of Jewish adults in the eight-county area that identify as nondenominational report that they were raised with no denomination. Nondenominational Jewish adults raised with a denomination were most frequently raised as Conservative (17%) or Reform (16%). Only 4% were raised Orthodox.
| County | Nondenominational | Denominational |
|---|---|---|
| Bronx | 4% | 2% |
| Brooklyn | 21% | 33% |
| Nassau | 14% | 18% |
| Manhattan | 27% | 17% |
| Queens | 14% | 12% |
| Staten Island | 4% | 3% |
| Suffolk | 8% | 7% |
| Westchester | 7% | 9% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
The geographic distribution of nondenominational Jewish adults significantly varies from that of those who identify with a specific denomination. Nondenominational Jewish adults are more likely to live in Manhattan and less likely to live in Brooklyn or Nassau County, compared with denominationally affiliated adults.
| Age | Nondenominational | Conservative/Reform/Other | Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18–29 | 17% | 12% | 30% |
| 30–49 | 31% | 25% | 31% |
| 50–64 | 21% | 27% | 20% |
| 65+ | 30% | 37% | 19% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Nondenominational Jewish adults are both younger and older than denominationally affiliated Jewish adults. Compared with Orthodox adults, nondenominational Jews are somewhat older. However, nondenominational adults are younger than non-Orthodox denominationally affiliated Jewish adults. The median age of nondenominational adults is 51, compared with median ages of 58 for non-Orthodox denominationally affiliated Jewish adults and 42 for Orthodox adults.
| Educational Attainment | Nondenominational | Conservative/Reform/Other | Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| High school or less | 14% | 11% | 39% |
| Associate degree | 17% | 13% | 15% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 36% | 32% | 22% |
| Graduate degree | 34% | 44% | 24% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
On average, nondenominational Jewish adults in the eight-county area differ from denominationally identified adults in their educational attainment. Nondenominational Jewish adults less frequently have graduate degrees than do non-Orthodox denominationally affiliated Jewish adults, but have higher levels of educational attainment compared with Orthodox adults. About 70% of nondenominational Jewish adults have at least a four-year degree, compared with 76% of non-Orthodox denominationally affiliated Jewish adults and 46% of Orthodox adults.
| Marital Status | Nondenominational | Conservative/Reform/Other | Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not Married | 50% | 38% | 18% |
| Married | 50% | 62% | 82% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Nondenominational Jewish adults report significantly lower rates of marriage compared with denominationally affiliated Jewish adults. While 6262% of non-Orthodox denominationally affiliated Jewish adults and 82% of Orthodox adults report that they are married, only 50% of nondenominational Jewish adults are married. This difference remains significant even after controlling for variation in age distributions among the nondenominational and non-Orthodox populations.
| Intermarriage | Nondenominational | Conservative/Reform/Other | Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not Intermarried | 52% | 84% | 98% |
| Intermarried | 48% | 16% | 2% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Rates of intermarriage vary significantly by denominational affiliation. Of those who are married, nondenominational Jewish adults are significantly more likely to be intermarried, at 48%, compared with only 16% of non-Orthodox denominationally affiliated Jewish adults and just 2% of married Orthodox adults.
| Intermarriage | Nondenominational | Conservative/Reform/Other | Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Both Parents Jewish | 71% | 86% | 98% |
| One Parent Jewish | 26% | 9% | 2% |
| Neither Parent Jewish | 4% | 5% | 0% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Nondenominational Jewish adults are also more likely to have been raised in intermarried households. While the majority of Jewish adults of all denominational identities have two Jewish parents, 71% of nondenominational Jewish adults report that both of their parents are Jewish compared with 86% of non-Orthodox denominationally affiliated Jewish adults and 98% of Orthodox adults.
The growth in the nondenominational population in recent years may be explained in part by the high incidence of adults with only one Jewish parent: Among Jewish New Yorkers with only one Jewish parent, nearly three-quarters identify as nondenominational. Given the increasing rate of intermarriage in the Jewish community in New York and nationally, the growth of the nondenominational populations will likely continue as a result of the growing population of adult children of interfaith families.
| Household With Children | Nondenominational | Conservative/Reform/Other | Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| No | 79% | 76% | 44% |
| Yes | 21% | 24% | 56% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Compared with all denominationally affiliated Jewish households, nondenominational Jewish households are less likely to have children at home. Much of this overall disparity, however, appears to be driven by high rates of childbearing among the Orthodox. In fact, the proportion of nondenominational Jewish adults with children in the home does not vary significantly from that of non-Orthodox denominationally affiliated Jewish adults.
| LGBTQ | Nondenominational | Conservative/Reform/Other | Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| No | 87% | 93% | 99% |
| Yes | 13% | 7% | 1% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Compared with denominally affiliated Jewish adults, nondenominational Jewish adults more frequently identify as LGBTQ. Thirteen percent of nondenominational Jewish adults identify as such, nearly twice the rate among non-Orthodox denominationally affiliated Jewish adults and nearly 13 times the rate of Orthodox adults. This trend is consistent with national data showing that Jews who do not identify with a particular denomination are more likely to be LGBTQ than Jews who do identify with a particular denomination.
| Sephardic or Mizrahi | Nondenominational | Conservative/Reform/Other | Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| No | 92% | 90% | 89% |
| Yes | 8% | 10% | 11% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
The proportion of nondenominational Jewish adults who identify as Sephardic or Mizrahi significantly varies only between nondenominational Jewish adults and Orthodox adults, and even then, just barely. The share of nondenominational Jewish adults who are Sephardic or Mizrachi is on par with that of the rate among non-Orthodox denominationally affiliated adults, while slightly lower compared with Orthodox adults. About 8% of nondenominational Jewish adults identify as Sephardic or Mizrahi, compared with 11% of Orthodox adults.
| Feels Connected | Nondenominational | Denominational |
|---|---|---|
| Not at all | 29% | 4% |
| Only a little | 38% | 14% |
| Some | 25% | 26% |
| A lot | 8% | 56% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
On average, nondenominational Jewish adults report lower levels of connection to the Jewish community in New York than denominationally identified adults. Nearly 30% report that they feel not at all connected to the Jewish community in New York, compared with only 4% of denominationally identified Jewish adults. Moreover, only 8% report feeling strongly connected compared with 56% of denominationally identified Jewish adults.
| Feels Connected | Nondenominational | Conservative/Reform/Other | Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not at all | 29% | 7% | 0% |
| Only a little | 38% | 21% | 3% |
| Some | 25% | 39% | 5% |
| A lot | 8% | 33% | 92% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
While the high rate of connection among denominationally identified Jewish adults is at least partially driven by the Orthodox (97% of whom are at least somewhat connected), nondenominational Jewish adults also report lower levels of connection compared with Jewish adults who identify as Conservative, Reform, or some other Jewish denomination (33% vs 72% at least somewhat).
| Jewish Engagement | Nondenominational | Denominational |
|---|---|---|
| Minimally Engaged | 49% | 7% |
| Moderately Engaged | 48% | 43% |
| Highly Engaged | 4% | 51% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
We identify that slightly more than half of nondenominational Jewish adults are at least moderately engaged on our scale of Jewish engagement.1 These more engaged Jews primarily reside in Brooklyn and Manhattan (25% and 24% respectively). Jewish engagement among nondenominational Jewish adults is not significantly patterned by age, marital status, denomination raised, or immigrant status, but is positively associated with number of Jewish friends.2
Nonetheless, nondenominational Jewish adults are significantly more likely to report being minimally engaged (49% vs 7%) and less likely to report being highly engaged (4% vs 51%), compared with denominationally affiliated Jewish adults.
| Jewish Engagement | Nondenominational | Conservative/Reform/Other | Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimally Engaged | 49% | 11% | 1% |
| Moderately Engaged | 48% | 66% | 6% |
| Highly Engaged | 4% | 23% | 93% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Although Conservative, Reform, and Jewish adults with other denominational identities are somewhat less engaged compared with Orthodox Jewish adults, this group still reports higher levels of Jewish engagement compared with nondenominational Jewish adults.
| Nondenominational | Denominational | |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday | ||
| Hanukkah | 70% | 96% |
| Passover Seder | 66% | 95% |
| Yom Kippur | 55% | 95% |
| Ritual | ||
| Shabbat (Weekly) | 6% | 50% |
| Kosher (At all) | 11% | 54% |
| Prayer Services (Monthly) | 3% | 46% |
| Organization | ||
| Jewish Programs (Ever) | 30% | 70% |
| Jewish Donations | 49% | 90% |
The majority of nondenominational Jewish adults regularly observe major Jewish holidays, and a significant number participate in Jewish programs one or more times a year (30%) and donate to Jewish causes (49%). A small percentage of nondenominational Jewish adults engage in ritual Jewish practice and observe Shabbat weekly (6%), keep kosher at least partially (11%), and attend prayer services monthly (3%). Nondenominational Jewish adults who were raised Orthodox are more likely to report these practices and behaviors, compared with those raised with some other denomination or those raised nondenominational.
| Nondenominational | Conservative/Reform/Other | Orthodox | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday | |||
| Hanukkah | 70% | 94% | 100% |
| Passover Seder | 66% | 92% | 99% |
| Yom Kippur | 55% | 92% | 99% |
| Ritual | |||
| Shabbat (Weekly) | 6% | 19% | 97% |
| Kosher (At all) | 11% | 27% | 98% |
| Prayer Services (Monthly) | 3% | 18% | 89% |
| Organization | |||
| Jewish Programs (Ever) | 30% | 63% | 90% |
| Jewish Donations | 49% | 83% | 99% |
Given that Orthodox Jewish adults have uniquely high patterns of Jewish engagement across all three dimensions measured, we also compared nondenominational Jewish adults with Orthodox adults and other denominationally affiliated adults separately. Across each item measured, nondenominational Jewish adults report lower levels of Jewish engagement compared with Jewish adults who identify as Orthodox and with those who identify as Conservative, Reform, or another denomination.
| Service Attendance | Nondenominational | Denominational |
|---|---|---|
| Never | 68% | 16% |
| A few times a year | 27% | 29% |
| Every few months | 2% | 9% |
| Once or twice a month | 2% | 8% |
| At least once a week | 2% | 37% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Of those nondenominational Jewish adults who attend prayer services, most attend infrequently: twenty-seven percent of nondenominational adults report attending services only a few times a year, while 6% attend every few months or more. Nearly 70%, however, report never attending services.
| Children Being Raised | Nondenominational | Denominational |
|---|---|---|
| Jewish only | 34% | 95% |
| Jewish and something else | 7% | * |
| A religion other than Judaism | * | * |
| Have not decided | 15% | * |
| None of the above | 38% | 2% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
About one in three children in nondenominational Jewish households are being raised exclusively Jewish, compared with 95% of children in denominationally affiliated households. An additional 7% are being raised Jewish and something else. The largest group of children in nondenominational Jewish households are being raised “none of the above,” indicating that children are not being raised religiously or culturally Jewish while also not being raised with any other religion.
| Bris or Naming Ceremony | Nondenominational | Denominational |
|---|---|---|
| Yes or plan to | 35% | 91% |
| No | 65% | 9% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
About one in three nondenominational Jewish adults report that the children in their household have either had a bris/naming ceremony or that they plan for them to. For denominationally affiliated adults, the percentage is 91%.
| Bar/Bat Mitzvah | Nondenominational | Denominational |
|---|---|---|
| Yes or plan to | 37% | 96% |
| No | 63% | 4% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Similarly, about 37% of nondenominational Jewish adults report that the children in their household have had or plan to have a bar/bat mitzvah. For denominationally affiliated adults, the percentage is 96%.
| Attachment to Israel | Nondenominational | Denominational |
|---|---|---|
| Not at all | 29% | 9% |
| Not very | 25% | 15% |
| Somewhat | 32% | 34% |
| Very | 14% | 42% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Nearly half (46%) of nondenominational Jewish adults report that they are at least somewhat emotionally attached to Israel. However, when compared with denominationally affiliated Jewish adults, they are more likely to report that they are not at all attached to Israel (29% vs 9%) and less likely to report being very attached (14% vs 42%).
| Caring About Israel | Nondenominational | Denominational |
|---|---|---|
| Strongly disagree | 25% | 12% |
| Somewhat disagree | 18% | 8% |
| Somewhat agree | 34% | 30% |
| Strongly agree | 23% | 50% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Caring about Israel is an important part of Jewish identity for many nondenominational Jewish adults, although to a lesser extent compared with denominationally identified Jewish adults. Fifty-seven percent of nondenominational Jewish adults report that they at least somewhat agree that caring about Israel is an important part of their Jewish identity.
| Follow Israel News | Nondenominational | Denominational |
|---|---|---|
| Not at all | 10% | 5% |
| Not too closely | 33% | 24% |
| Somewhat closely | 42% | 40% |
| Very closely | 14% | 32% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Similarly, about 56% of nondenominational Jewish adults report following news about Israel at least somewhat closely.3 Nondenominational Jewish adults follow news regarding Israel at lower levels than denominationally affiliated Jewish adults, although with narrower differences than in other measures of connection to Israel.
Among the many groups that make up the Jewish community in New York, a notable percentage belong to Orthodox communities that adhere strictly to Jewish law and customs. This report classifies three groups within the Orthodox community, those who self-identify as Hasidic, Yeshivish, or Chabad, as a population collectively described here as Haredi.4
The Haredi population of New York is heavily concentrated in Brooklyn. Relative to other Jewish communities in New York, the Haredi are significantly younger, have lower educational attainment, marry and have children at higher rates, and experience higher levels of poverty. They are deeply connected to the Jewish community but less attached to Israel than their non-Haredi Orthodox peers. Haredi adults also reported widely shared concerns regarding the health of their family members, education of children and, to a lesser extent, occupational opportunities and shalom bayit, domestic harmony.
There are approximately 152,000 Haredi adults and 171,000 children in Haredi households in New York’s eight-county area. This population accounts for about 14% of the Jewish adult population and 43% of children in Jewish households.
| % Haredi | 14% |
| - Hasidic | 9% |
| - Yeshivish | 4% |
| - Chabad | 2% |
Hasidic Jews are the most populous Haredi subgroup, accounting for 9% of the Jewish adult population, with the remaining Haredi Jewish adults identifying as Yeshivish (4%) or Chabad (2%).
| Haredi | Non-Haredi | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denomination Raised | Haredi Overall | Hasidic | Yeshivish | Chabad | Other Orthodox | Non-Orthodox |
| Orthodox | 94% | 99% | 90% | 72% | 75% | 6% |
The overwhelming majority of Haredi adults were raised Orthodox, at 94%, compared with 75% of Modern Orthodox or other Orthodox adults. Hasidic adults were almost universally raised Orthodox at 99%, compared with 90% of Yeshivish adults and 72% of Chabad adults.
| Haredi | Non-Haredi | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denomination Raised | Haredi Overall | Hasidic | Yeshivish | Chabad | Other Orthodox | Non-Orthodox |
| Modern/Centrist Orthodox | 5% | * | 18% | * | 60% | 5% |
| Hasidic | 62% | 96% | * | * | * | * |
| Yeshivish | 18% | * | 71% | * | * | * |
| Chabad | 8% | * | * | 63% | * | * |
| Some other type of Orthodox | * | * | * | * | * | * |
| Non-Orthodox | 6% | 1% | 10% | 28% | 25% | 94% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Among Jewish adults raised Orthodox, the Orthodox branch in which they were raised closely aligns with their current affiliation. For example, 96% of Hasidic adults were raised as Hasidic and 63% of Chabad adults were raised as Chabad. Notably, about 29% of Yeshivish adults raised Orthodox were not raised as Yeshivish. The majority of these Yeshivish adults were raised as Modern or Centrist Orthodox.
| County | Haredi | Other Orthodox | Non-Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronx | * | 6% | 3% |
| Brooklyn | 84% | 33% | 17% |
| Nassau | 5% | 23% | 18% |
| Manhattan | * | 18% | 26% |
| Queens | 7% | 13% | 14% |
| Staten Island | * | * | 4% |
| Suffolk | * | * | 9% |
| Westchester | * | * | 10% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
The Haredi population is significantly concentrated in Brooklyn, where 84% of Haredi adults reside, compared with 33% of non-Haredi Orthodox adults and 17% of non-Orthodox Jewish adults. The next largest groups of Haredi adults reside in Queens (7%) and Nassau County (5%), with very small numbers living in other counties.
| Age | Haredi | Other Orthodox | Non-Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 53% | 29% | 18% |
| 18–29 | 18% | 12% | 12% |
| 30–49 | 16% | 20% | 23% |
| 50–64 | 7% | 20% | 19% |
| 65+ | 6% | 19% | 27% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
The Haredi population is considerably younger than other Jewish populations. For example, 53% of members of Haredi households are under the age of 18, compared with 29% of the non-Haredi Orthodox and 18% of the non-Orthodox. Haredi adults are also younger on average compared with non-Haredi Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews. The average age of Haredi adults is 41, compared with 51 and 53 for non-Haredi Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews respectively.
| Educational Attainment | Haredi | Other Orthodox | Non-Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| High school or less | 52% | 19% | 13% |
| Associate | 18% | 10% | 15% |
| Bachelor’s | 16% | 33% | 34% |
| Graduate | 15% | 39% | 38% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
The Haredi adult population has lower educational attainment compared with the non-Haredi Orthodox and non-Orthodox. About half (52%) of Haredi adults in the eight-county area are high school graduates or less, compared with19% of non-Haredi Orthodox adults and 13% of non-Orthodox Jewish adults. The proportion of Haredi Jewish adults with at least a bachelor’s degree (31%) is nearly half that of non-Haredi Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jewish adults (both 72%).
Low educational attainment among the Haredi community may be at least partially driven by the Hasidic population, of which 69% have a high school diploma or less compared with 20% of Yeshivish adults and 32% of Chabad adults.
| Haredi | Non-Haredi | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Attainment | Haredi Overall | Hasidic | Yeshivish | Chabad | Other Orthodox | Non-Orthodox |
| High school or less | 52% | 69% | 20% | 32% | 19% | 13% |
| Associate | 18% | 16% | * | 32% | 10% | 15% |
| Bachelor’s | 16% | 11% | 31% | * | 33% | 34% |
| Graduate | 15% | 4% | 33% | * | 39% | 38% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Employment Status | Haredi | Other Orthodox | Non-Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployed | 5% | 6% | 6% |
| Employed | 95% | 94% | 94% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
At 5%, the unemployment rate among Haredi adults in the eight-county New York area does not significantly vary from other Jewish adults. The Haredi community is, however, notable for its high labor force participation relative to adults in Jewish households overall. Among the Haredi community, 78% participate in the labor force (with the labor force defined as those who are working or unemployed and actively looking for work) compared with 66% among adults in Jewish households generally. Specifically, the Haredi population has a smaller share of people who are retired, reflecting both a young population overrepresented among working age as well as higher levels of employment among those age 65 and older.
| Household Poverty Status | Haredi | Other Orthodox | Non-Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poor (Under 150% FPL) | 36% | 17% | 9% |
| Near Poor (150% to under 250% FPL) | 18% | 7% | 6% |
| Not Poor | 47% | 77% | 85% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Haredi | Non-Haredi | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Household Poverty Status | Haredi Overall | Hasidic | Yeshivish | Chabad | Other Orthodox | Non-Orthodox |
| Poor (Under 150% FPL) | 36% | 50% | 20% | 66% | 17% | 9% |
| Near Poor (150% to under 250% FPL) | 18% | 21% | 7% | 6% | ||
| Not Poor | 47% | 30% | 80% | 54% | 77% | 85% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
While employment rates do not vary between the Orthodox and non-Orthodox, there is significant variation in household financial circumstances between these groups. More than half of Haredi households (53%) are poor or near poor, compared with 23% of non-Haredi Orthodox households and 15% of non-Orthodox Jewish households. Among Haredi subgroups, poverty is concentrated among Hasidic and Chabad households, with 70% of Hasidic households and 66% of Chabad households being poor or near poor, compared with 20% of Yeshivish households.
| Marital Status | Haredi | Other Orthodox | Non-Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not Married | 12% | 27% | 45% |
| Married | 88% | 73% | 55% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Haredi | Non-Haredi | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marital Status | Haredi Overall | Hasidic | Yeshivish | Chabad | Other Orthodox | Non-Orthodox |
| Not Married | 12% | 9% | 14% | 24% | 27% | 45% |
| Married | 88% | 91% | 86% | 76% | 73% | 55% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Despite their younger average age, Haredi adults are married at a higher rate compared with other members of the New York Jewish community. Nearly 90% of Haredi adults are married, compared with 73% of non-Haredi Orthodox adults and 55% of non-Orthodox Jewish adults. Among Haredi subgroups, the Hasidic and Yeshivish are married at similarly high rates, while members of the Chabad population are married at rates closer to those of the non-Haredi Orthodox population.
| Household With Children | Haredi | Other Orthodox | Non-Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| No | 32% | 64% | 78% |
| Yes | 68% | 36% | 22% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
The Haredi Jewish population in New York also is more likely to have children in their homes than those of other Jewish denominations. More than two-thirds (68%) of Haredi households contain children, compared with 36% of non-Haredi Orthodox households and 22% of non-Orthodox Jewish households. While childbearing is high among all Haredi groups, it is particularly prevalent among Hasidic households, 74% of which include children.
| Haredi | Other Orthodox | Non-Orthodox | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household Size | 4.7 | 2.9 | 2.2 |
Relatedly and likely a function of higher birth rates, Haredi households have a larger average household size, at about 5 members, compared with just under 3 among non-Haredi Orthodox households and 2.2 among non-Orthodox Jewish households.
| Feels Connected | Haredi | Other Orthodox | Non-Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not at all | * | * | 19% |
| Only a little | * | * | 30% |
| Some | * | 10% | 31% |
| A lot | 96% | 85% | 20% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Haredi adults report high levels of connection to the Jewish community in New York. Nearly all adults (96%) report feeling connected “a lot”, compared with 85% of non-Haredi Orthodox adults and 20% of non-Orthodox Jewish adults.
| Donations to Jewish Organizations | Haredi | Other Orthodox | Non-Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | * | * | 36% |
| A little | 8% | 12% | 35% |
| About half | * | 7% | 14% |
| Most | 17% | 38% | 11% |
| All or almost all | 72% | 41% | 3% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
The Haredi community is distinguished for its charitable behavior, with 96% of Haredi households reporting that they made charitable donations in the prior year. Among these households who make charitable donations, Haredi adults donate primarily to Jewish organizations, with nearly 90% dedicating most or all of their charitable giving to these types of organizations, compared with 79% of non-Haredi Orthodox adults and just 14% of non-Orthodox Jewish adults.
| Haredi | |
|---|---|
| Fulfillment of religious obligations | 91% |
| Spiritual fulfillment | 87% |
| Connection to tradition and history | 69% |
| Socialization | 66% |
| Participation of children in household | 50% |
| Counseling and/or support | 35% |
The main body of the survey questionnaire asked Jewish adults about the reasons they choose to participate in or belong to Jewish congregations. Given that membership in these congregations is essentially universal in the Haredi community, however, this question was modified on the Haredi questionnaire to ask about the elements that Haredi Jewish adults feel they receive while at shul.
Hasidic and Chabad Jewish adults primarily report fulfillment of religious obligations (91%) and spiritual fulfillment (87%) while attending shul. Significant numbers also report connection to tradition and history (69%) and socialization (66%) as benefits they receive. Among Hasidic and Chabad adults with children at home, about half report that attending shul facilitates the participation of the children in the household. About one in three Hasidic and Chabad adults report that they receive counseling and/or support as a result of attending shul.
| Attachment to Israel | Haredi | Other Orthodox | Non-Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not at all/Not Very | 19% | 7% | 43% |
| Somewhat | 23% | 22% | 36% |
| Very | 58% | 71% | 21% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Haredi adults in the eight-county area report higher levels of emotional attachment to Israel than non-Orthodox Jewish adults but report lower levels of attachment than non-Haredi Orthodox adults. Eighty-one percent of Haredi adults report that they are somewhat or very emotionally attached to Israel compared with 93% of non-Haredi Orthodox adults.
Lower attachment to Israel is specifically concentrated among the Hasidic population, of which 27% is not at all or not very attached to Israel. Weak attachment to Israel among this group reflects longstanding opposition to Zionism and the modern Israeli state within some Hasidic movements. Among other Haredi subpopulations, however, Yeshivish adults report especially high levels of emotional attachment to Israel, with 77% reporting they feel “very” emotionally attached.
| Haredi | Non-Haredi | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attachment to Israel | Haredi Overall | Hasidic | Yeshivish | Chabad | Other Orthodox | Non-Orthodox |
| Not at all/Not very | 19% | 27% | 4% | 4% | 7% | 43% |
| Somewhat | 23% | 24% | 19% | 29% | 22% | 36% |
| Very | 58% | 49% | 77% | 67% | 71% | 21% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Caring About Israel | Haredi | Other Orthodox | Non-Orthodox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strongly/Somewhat disagree | 26% | 9% | 33% |
| Somewhat agree | 19% | 12% | 36% |
| Strongly agree | 55% | 79% | 31% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Similarly, Haredi adults report less agreement that caring about Israel is an essential part of their Jewish identity than do non-Haredi Orthodox adults. A little more than half of Haredi adults report that they strongly agree with this statement, compared with nearly 80% of non-Haredi Orthodox adults. Following the same patterns of emotional attachment to Israel, Hasidic adults are most likely to disagree, while Yeshivish adults report high levels of agreement that caring about Israel is an essential part of their Jewish identity, with 79% strongly agreeing with the statement.
| Haredi | Non-Haredi | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caring About Israel | Haredi Overall | Hasidic | Yeshivish | Chabad | Other Orthodox | Non-Orthodox |
| Strongly/Somewhat disagree | 26% | 38% | 6% | * | 9% | 33% |
| Somewhat agree | 19% | 20% | 15% | * | 12% | 36% |
| Strongly agree | 55% | 42% | 79% | 71% | 79% | 31% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Job Opportunities | Health of Family Members | Shalom Bayit | Drug/Alcohol Addiction | Education of Children | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not at all | 38% | 29% | 42% | 67% | 26% |
| Not much | 25% | 14% | 24% | 13% | 6% |
| Somewhat | 28% | 29% | 13% | 10% | 18% |
| Very much | 9% | 28% | 22% | 9% | 49% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Members of the Hasidic and Chabad community were asked about the extent to which they worry about a range of key issues.5 Haredi adults in the eight-county area most frequently report being at least somewhat worried about the health of their family members and the education of children, at 57% and 67% respectively.6 About 36% reported being at least somewhat worried about job opportunities, 35% reported worrying about shalom bayit (domestic harmony), and 19% were at least somewhat worried about drug/alcohol addiction.
| % Worried at Least Somewhat | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18–29 | 30–49 | 50–64 | 65+ | |
| Job Opportunities | 30% | 64% | 59% | 73% |
| Health of Family Members | 45% | 81% | 79% | 97% |
| Shalom Bayit | 40% | 50% | 55% | 73% |
| Drug/Alcohol Addiction | 23% | 44% | 50% | 53% |
| Education of Children | 66% | 88% | 69% | 84% |
The extent to which members of the Hasidic and Chabad communities worry about relevant issues significantly varies by age, with concerns including worries about job opportunities, health of family members, shalom bayit, and drug/alcohol addiction increasing with age.7 Among Hasidic and Chabad adults in households with children, those aged 18-29 least frequently report being at least somewhat concerned about the education of children, compared with adults of other ages. There are no significant differences in the extent to which adults worry about the education of children between adults aged 30–49, 50–64, and 65+.
| 2023 | |
|---|---|
| Worried about government interference/laws/regulations | 50% |
| Worried about of good/quality education | 24% |
| Worried about morality and values/preserving traditional Jewish education | 17% |
| Worried about costs of education/tuition | 9% |
| Other | 6% |
Among Haredi adults who reported worrying at least somewhat about the education of children and described those worries, they most frequently cited concerns regarding government interference, laws, or regulations as they relate to the education of children. The next largest shares included concerns about children not being well educated, with an emphasis on the importance of a quality education, alongside worries about the morality and values of the curriculum and the need to preserve traditional Jewish education. Smaller shares of Haredi adults in households with children were worried about the costs of education and miscellaneous concerns such as teacher pay and inadequate secular studies, among other issues.
| Torah Observance | Shul or Minyan Attendance | Closeness to Religious Leader or Rabbi | Closeness to Jewish Community | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increased | 30% | 16% | 23% | 24% |
| Stayed the Same | 70% | 79% | 75% | 75% |
| Decreased | 0% | 5% | 2% | 1% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, the ritual practices and community connections within the Haredi community largely stayed the same. Overall, Haredi adults rarely report declines in their ritual observance or community connections. In fact, nearly one in three (30%) report increases in their Torah observance and nearly one in four report increased closeness to their religious leader or rabbi and to the Jewish community.
New York has long been a refuge for Jews fleeing persecution from around the world. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, however, tens of thousands of Jewish immigrants from the region have settled in New York, forming a sizable community of Russian-speaking Jewish adults. A small but notable proportion of the Jewish adult population in New York’s eight-county area speaks Russian regularly or grew up speaking it at home. While an increasing number of the 90,000 Russian-speaking Jewish adults are the children of these immigrants, the majority were born outside the United States, with many coming from Ukraine and Russia.
Russian-speaking Jewish adults are primarily concentrated in Brooklyn and tend to be somewhat older than their non-Russian-speaking peers. They also experience higher levels of poverty. While they are less likely than the general Jewish population to identify with the Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform denominations, they maintain levels of Jewish engagement comparable with those of other Jewish adults and report strong attachments to Israel.
| Total Jewish adults | 1,076,000 |
| Russian-speaking Jewish adults | 90,000 |
Of the approximately 1,076,000 Jewish adults in the eight-county New York area, 90,000, or about 9%, speak Russian regularly or grew up speaking Russian at home.
| Birthplace | Russian-Speaking | Non-Russian-Speaking |
|---|---|---|
| New York City Metro Area | 15% | 68% |
| Other U.S. | * | 21% |
| Another Country | 84% | 10% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
The vast majority of Russian-speaking Jewish adults in the eight-county metro New York area were born outside of the United States. Eighty-four percent were born in another country, compared with 10% of non-Russian-speaking Jewish adults. Among those adults born abroad, most were born in Ukraine (44%) and Russia (22%). Russian-speaking Jews as a population arrived more recently than other foreign-born Jewish adults, with a median decade of arrival between 1990 and 1999, compared with between 1980 and 1989 for other foreign-born Jewish adults.
| County | Russian-Speaking | Non-Russian-Speaking |
|---|---|---|
| Bronx | * | 3% |
| Brooklyn | 56% | 26% |
| Nassau | * | 17% |
| Manhattan | 9% | 23% |
| Queens | 15% | 12% |
| Staten Island | * | 3% |
| Suffolk | * | 8% |
| Westchester | * | 8% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Russian-speaking Jewish adults are primarily concentrated in Brooklyn, with 56% residing there, compared with just 26% of Jewish adults who do not speak Russian.
| Age | Russian-Speaking | Non-Russian-Speaking |
|---|---|---|
| 18–29 | 9% | 19% |
| 30–49 | 30% | 29% |
| 50–64 | 32% | 21% |
| 65+ | 29% | 31% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Russian-speaking Jewish adults are somewhat older than their non-Russian-speaking peers, with a median age of 55, compared with a median age of 52 for non-Russian-speaking Jewish adults. Only 9% of Russian-speaking Jewish adults are between 18 and 29 years old, whereas 19% of non-Russian-speaking Jewish adults fall within this age range. Additionally, a larger proportion of Russian-speaking Jewish adults are in the 50–64 age group (32%) compared with their non-Russian-speaking peers (21%). This older age distribution is likely because immigrants from the former Soviet Union often arrived at older ages, a common trend in mass migration movements.
| Educational Attainment | Russian-Speaking | Non-Russian-Speaking |
|---|---|---|
| High school or less | 12% | 19% |
| Associate degree | 28% | 14% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 32% | 31% |
| Graduate degree | 28% | 37% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Educational attainment significantly varies by Russian-speaking heritage. While Russian- and non-Russian-speaking Jewish adults report similar levels of bachelor’s degree attainment, Russian-speaking Jewish adults more frequently report having associate degrees and less frequently report having attained graduate degrees compared with their non-Russian-speaking peers.
| Household Poverty Status | Russian-Speaking | Non-Russian-Speaking |
|---|---|---|
| Poor (under 150% FPL) | 20% | 12% |
| Near Poor (150% to under 250% FPL) | 9% | 7% |
| Not Poor | 71% | 81% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Russian-speaking Jewish adults report higher levels of poverty compared with other Jewish adults. Nearly one in three Russian-speaking Jewish adults is poor or near poor, compared with 19% of non-Russian-speaking Jewish adults.
| Household Poverty Status | 18–29 | 30–49 | 50–64 | 65+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poor or Near Poor | * | 6% | 15% | 52% |
| Not Poor | * | 94% | 85% | 48% |
Poverty among Russian speakers is particularly concentrated among seniors (ages 65 and older), of whom 52% live in or near poverty. Multivariate modeling indicates that relatively high rates of poverty among these Russian-speaking Jews are, in part, a function of their particular immigration history. Russian-speaking seniors differ from other immigrants of similar ages in that they are more recently arrived, more likely to have come to the U.S. at older ages, and less likely to speak English regularly, all of which affect their ability to qualify for and access government benefits.
| LGBTQ | Russian-Speaking | Non-Russian-Speaking |
|---|---|---|
| No | 97% | 90% |
| Yes | 3% | 10% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
The extent to which Jewish adults identify as LGBTQ is significantly lower as compared with other Jewish adults. Only 3% of Russian-speaking Jewish adults identify as LGBTQ compared with 10% of other Jewish adults. This disparity may be influenced by the stigma surrounding LGBTQ identity within the Russian-speaking community.
| Political Affiliation | Russian-Speaking | Non-Russian-Speaking |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal | 23% | 47% |
| Moderate | 37% | 28% |
| Conservative | 41% | 24% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Russian-speaking Jewish adults vary in their political leanings compared with non-Russian speaking Jews. Russian-speaking Jewish adults are more conservative (41% vs. 24%) or moderate (37% vs. 28%) and less frequently identify as politically liberal (23% vs. 47%).
| Denomination | Russian-Speaking | Non-Russian-Speaking |
|---|---|---|
| Orthodox | 18% | 25% |
| Conservative | 4% | 17% |
| Reform | 7% | 21% |
| Other | 71% | 37% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
The majority of Russian-speaking Jewish adults identify as nondenominational or culturally Jewish. Seventy-one percent of Russian-speaking Jewish adults identify outside the central American Jewish denominations, compared with 37% of other Jewish adults. However, Russian-speaking Jewish adults identify as Orthodox at comparable rates with the non-Russian-speaking population.8
| Feels Connected | Russian-Speaking | Non-Russian-Speaking |
|---|---|---|
| Not at all | 9% | 14% |
| Only a little | 29% | 22% |
| Some | 39% | 25% |
| A lot | 23% | 39% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Russian-speaking Jewish adults report somewhat lower levels of connection to the Jewish community in New York than their non-Russian-speaking counterparts. Russian-speaking Jewish adults more frequently report feeling connected “only a little” or “some,” and less frequently report feeling connected “a lot” compared with non-Russian-speaking Jews. This difference diminishes among younger Russian-speaking adults, and among those under 40, there is no difference in connection to New York Jewish community.
| Jewish Engagement | Russian-Speaking | Non-Russian-Speaking |
|---|---|---|
| Minimally Engaged | 25% | 23% |
| Moderately Engaged | 50% | 44% |
| Highly Engaged | 25% | 33% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Although most Russian-speaking Jews do not identify with Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform denominations, they report comparable levels of Jewish engagement compared with other Jewish adults in New York. Seventy-five percent of Russian-speaking Jewish adults report being at least moderately engaged in Jewish life.
| Russian-Speaking | Non-Russian Speaking | |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday | ||
| Hanukkah | 86% | 87% |
| Passover Seder | 74% | 85% |
| Yom Kippur | 83% | 79% |
| Ritual | ||
| Shabbat (Weekly) | 29% | 33% |
| Kosher (At all) | 32% | 37% |
| Prayer Services (Monthly) | 22% | 30% |
| Organization | ||
| Synagogue Membership | 32% | 44% |
| Jewish Programs | 50% | 53% |
| Jewish Donations | 80% | 76% |
Across most measures of Jewish engagement, Russian-speaking Jewish adults report similar levels of participation compared with other Jewish adults with two exceptions — Russian-speaking Jewish adults participate less frequently in Passover seders and are less frequently members, or live with a member, of a synagogue.
| Attachment to Israel | Russian-Speaking | Non-Russian-Speaking |
|---|---|---|
| Not at all | 8% | 17% |
| Not very | 13% | 19% |
| Somewhat | 44% | 33% |
| Very | 35% | 31% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Russian-speaking Jewish adults express somewhat higher levels of emotional attachment to Israel than other Jewish adults in the eight-county area. Seventy-nine percent of Russian-speaking adults report being at least somewhat attached to Israel, compared with 64% of their non-Russian-speaking counterparts. Previous research has consistently shown Russian-speaking Jews to have higher levels of connection to Israel, attributed to a more national, rather than religious, concept of Jewish identity, as well as a higher likelihood of having relatives in Israel — both of which may reinforce their strong ties to the country.9
| Caring About Israel | Russian-Speaking | Non-Russian-Speaking |
|---|---|---|
| Strongly disagree | 6% | 18% |
| Somewhat disagree | 7% | 12% |
| Somewhat agree | 32% | 32% |
| Strongly agree | 55% | 38% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Russian-speaking Jews also report high levels of agreement that caring about Israel is an important part of their Jewish identity. Fifty-five percent of Russian-speaking Jewish adults strongly agree that caring about Israel is an important part of their Jewish identity, compared with 38% of other Jewish adults.
The Jewish community in New York has long been a vibrant home to Jews from around the world, with a variety of traditions and backgrounds. While the majority of Jews in New York identify as Ashkenazi, with roots in Central and Eastern Europe, nearly one in ten Jewish adults in the city’s eight-county area identify with Sephardic or Mizrachi traditions. These communities trace their origins to the Iberian Peninsula, North Africa, and the Middle East. Today, the Sephardic and Mizrachi Jewish (SMJ) populations in New York are more diverse than ever, comprising immigrants from more than 35 countries across five continents, alongside families who have called New York home for generations.
Compared with other Jewish communities in the New York area, the Sephardic and Mizrachi community tends to include a higher proportion of foreign-born individuals and those born to immigrant parents. The population is more heavily concentrated in Queens, includes fewer senior citizens, and is generally more politically moderate. Members of this community also tend to be more actively engaged in Jewish life and exhibit stronger connections to Israel than their Ashkenazi counterparts. Additionally, Sephardic and Mizrachi adults place significant value on passing down their Jewish heritage and ensuring that future generations uphold their specific cultural traditions.
| % Sephardic or Mizrachi | 9% |
In New York’s eight-county area, there are an estimated 101,000 Jewish adults who identify as either Sephardic or Mizrachi, accounting for about 9% of the total population of Jewish adults in the area. This includes individuals who identify as Sephardic/Mizrachi alone (6.8%), as well as those who identify with a combination of Sephardic/Mizrachi and Ashkenazi or other Jewish traditions (2.7%).
| Ethnicity or Tradition | Sephardic/Mizrachi |
|---|---|
| Syrian | 16% |
| Persian/Iranian | 13% |
| Bukharian | 11% |
| North African (Moroccan, Egyptian, Libyan, Tunisian) | 9% |
| Baghdadi/Iraqi | 7% |
| None of the Above | 49% |
Among New York’s SMJ adults, 16% identify as Syrian, 13% identify as Persian or Iranian, 11% identify as Bukharian, 9% identify as North African, and 7% identify as Baghdadi or Iraqi. Nearly half (49%) of Sephardic or Mizrachi Jews do not identify with any of the specific Jewish ethnicities or traditions listed. Compared with their peers who do identify with one or more of these traditions, those who do not are more likely to be born in the United States, have parents born domestically rather than abroad, and show lower levels of Jewish engagement, including reduced synagogue membership.
| Birthplace | Sephardic/Mizrachi | Non-SMJ |
|---|---|---|
| New York City Metro Area | 48% | 65% |
| Other U.S. | 15% | 20% |
| Another country | 37% | 15% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
The SMJ community in New York has a higher proportion of immigrants compared with the broader Jewish population in the same area. Of the Sephardic or Mizrachi Jews in the eight-county area, 37% of adults were born outside the United States, more than twice the rate of their non-Sephardic/Mizrachi peers, of whom 15% are immigrants to the United States. Among the foreign-born Sephardic and Mizrachi Jews, the largest groups hail from Israel (20%), Iran (13%), and Uzbekistan (11%).
| Parental Birthplace | Sephardic/Mizrachi | Non-SMJ |
|---|---|---|
| Both born in the U.S. | 46% | 66% |
| One born in the U.S. and one in another country | 18% | 17% |
| Both born in another country | 37% | 17% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Relatedly, SMJ adults are also more likely to have foreign-born parents. Sixty-four percent of Sephardic or Mizrachi Jewish adults in the New York area have at least one parent born outside of the U.S., compared with 44% of non-Sephardic or Mizrachi Jewish adults.
| County | Sephardic/Mizrachi | Non-SMJ |
|---|---|---|
| Bronx | 3% | 3% |
| Brooklyn | 24% | 29% |
| Nassau | 16% | 16% |
| Manhattan | 20% | 22% |
| Queens | 21% | 12% |
| Staten Island | * | 3% |
| Suffolk | * | 7% |
| Westchester | 9% | 8% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Similar to the overall Jewish population in the New York area, SMJ adults are most concentrated in Brooklyn (24%). The overall distribution of Sephardic or Mizrachi Jewish adults across counties is similar to that of non-Sephardic/Mizrachi Jews, with one notable exception: Twenty-one percent of Sephardic or Mizrachi Jewish adults live in Queens, compared with just 12% of non-Sephardic/Mizrachi Jewish adults.
| Age | Sephardic/Mizrachi | Non-SMJ |
|---|---|---|
| 18–29 | 13% | 19% |
| 30–49 | 34% | 28% |
| 50–64 | 32% | 22% |
| 65+ | 21% | 31% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
While the median ages of Sephardic/Mizrachi Jewish adults (51) and non-Sephardic/Mizrachi Jewish adults (52) are similar, the Sephardic and Mizrachi population is made up of fewer seniors and more middle-aged adults. About one-third of Sephardic/Mizrachi Jewish adults are between the ages of 50 and 64, compared with 22% of non-Sephardic/Mizrachi Jewish adults. In contrast, 21% of Sephardic/Mizrachi Jewish adults are 65 or older, compared with 31% of non-Sephardic/Mizrachi Jewish adults.
| Intermarriage | Sephardic/Mizrachi | Non-SMJ |
|---|---|---|
| Not Intermarried | 79% | 75% |
| Intermarried | 21% | 25% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
About one in five Sephardic or Mizrachi Jewish marriages are intermarriages. The rate of intermarriage among Sephardic or Mizrachi adults does not significantly vary from the intermarriage rate of the non-Sephardic/Mizrachi.10
| Political Identification | Sephardic/Mizrachi | Non-SMJ |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal | 35% | 46% |
| Moderate | 39% | 29% |
| Conservative | 26% | 25% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Sephardic or Mizrachi Jewish adults in the eight-county New York area span the political landscape. SMJ adults most frequently (39%) identify as politically moderate, followed by liberal (35%) and conservative (26%). Compared with non-Sephardic/Mizrachi Jewish adults, Sephardic or Mizrachi Jews less frequently identify as politically liberal and more frequently identify as moderate.
| Denomination | Sephardic/Mizrachi | Non-SMJ |
|---|---|---|
| Orthodox | 28% | 23% |
| Conservative | 22% | 14% |
| Reform | 16% | 20% |
| Other | 34% | 43% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Like Jewish adults in the New York area overall, Sephardic or Mizrachi Jewish adults most commonly (34%) identify as having no denominational affiliation or as being part of another denomination. However, they are less likely to identify in this way compared with non-Sephardic/Mizrachi Jewish adults. The next largest groups of Sephardic or Mizrachi Jewish adults identify as Orthodox (28%) or Conservative (22%). While rates of affiliation with Orthodox and Reform denominations are similar for Sephardic/Mizrachi and non-Sephardic/Mizrachi Jews, Sephardic or Mizrachi Jewish adults are more likely to identify as Conservative than their non-Sephardic/Mizrachi counterparts.
Some evidence suggests that these denominational labels may be understood differently among Sephardic or Mizrachi Jews. For instance, Sephardic or Mizrachi adults who identify as Conservative or Reform are more likely to attend Orthodox synagogues (35%) compared with non-Sephardic/Mizrachi Jews who also identify as Conservative or Reform (7%). Additionally, while more Sephardic and Mizrachi Jews identify as Conservative, this trend is primarily seen among those born outside the United States. Among U.S.-born individuals, denominational identification rates are similar for both Sephardic/Mizrachi and non-Sephardic/Mizrachi Jews.
| Feels Connected | Sephardic/Mizrachi | Non-SMJ |
|---|---|---|
| Not at all | 10% | 14% |
| Only a little | 18% | 24% |
| Some | 31% | 25% |
| A lot | 41% | 36% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Overall, Sephardic or Mizrachi adults in the eight-county New York area report generally higher levels of connection to the Jewish community compared with non-Sephardic/Mizrachi Jews. Approximately 72% of SMJ adults report that they feel at least somewhat connected to the Jewish community in New York compared with 61% of non-Sephardic/Mizrachi Jewish adults.
| Jewish Engagement | Sephardic/Mizrachi | Non-SMJ |
|---|---|---|
| Minimally Engaged | 10% | 25% |
| Moderately Engaged | 47% | 45% |
| Highly Engaged | 42% | 30% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Approximately 90% of Sephardic or Mizrachi Jewish adults are at least moderately engaged, according to a model of Jewish engagement. Sephardic or Mizrachi Jews report higher levels of Jewish engagement compared with non-Sephardic/Mizrachi Jewish adults, with 42% identified as highly engaged, compared with 30% of non-SMJ adults. Only 10% of Sephardic or Mizrachi Jewish adults fall into the minimally engaged category, whereas nearly one in four non-Sephardic/Mizrachi Jewish adults are in this group.
| Sephardic/Mizrachi | Non-SMJ | |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday | ||
| Hanukkah | 87% | 85% |
| Passover Seder | 91% | 82% |
| Yom Kippur | 86% | 78% |
| Ritual | ||
| Shabbat (Weekly) | 47% | 30% |
| Kosher (At All) | 55% | 34% |
| Prayer Services (Monthly) | 35% | 27% |
| Organization | ||
| Synagogue Membership | 47% | 41% |
| Jewish Programs | 71% | 50% |
| Jewish Donations | 86% | 74% |
Sephardic and Mizrachi Jews exhibit higher levels of Jewish engagement across all three dimensions of our engagement model. The majority of Sephardic or Mizrachi Jewish adults regularly observe major holidays, similar to their non-Sephardic/Mizrachi counterparts. However, Sephardic/Mizrachi adults are more likely to hold a Passover seder and observe Yom Kippur. In terms of Jewish ritual and organizational behaviors, Sephardic or Mizrachi Jewish adults also report higher engagement.
Compared with non-Sephardic/Mizrachi Jews, Sephardic or Mizrachi Jewish adults are more likely to observe Shabbat weekly (47% vs. 30%), keep at least partially kosher (55% vs. 34%), attend services at least monthly (35% vs. 27%), participate in Jewish programs (71% vs. 50%), and donate to Jewish causes or organizations (86% vs. 74%).
| Being Jewish… | Share Who Agree (Some/A Great Deal) | |
|---|---|---|
| Sephardic/Mizrachi | Non-SMJ | |
| Helps me cope in times of crisis | 66% | 53% |
| Informs big decisions in my life | 77% | 56% |
| Is important to me | 95% | 84% |
Sephardic and Mizrachi Jews in New York also report a stronger sense of Jewish connection based on attitudinal measures. Sephardic or Mizrachi Jewish adults express higher levels of agreement that being Jewish influences major life decisions, is important to them, and helps them cope during times of crisis. Specifically, at least to some extent, 66% agree that being Jewish helps them cope in times of crisis, 77% agree that being Jewish informs their major decisions, and 95% agree that being Jewish is important to them.
| Important That Grandchildren… | Share Who Agree (Somewhat/Very Important) | |
|---|---|---|
| Sephardic/Mizrachi | Non-SMJ | |
| Be Jewish | 86% | 72% |
| Marry someone Jewish | 70% | 55% |
| Carry on Sephardic/Mizrachi traditions | 78% | N/A |
The majority of Sephardic or Mizrachi Jewish adults also express strong agreement as to the importance of passing on their Jewish identity. When asked to imagine their grandchildren, regardless of whether they have any, 78% of Sephardic or Mizrachi adults say it is at least somewhat important for their grandchildren to carry on Sephardic or Mizrachi traditions. Additionally, 70% believe it is at least somewhat important for their grandchildren to marry someone Jewish, and 86% say it is at least somewhat important for their grandchildren to be Jewish.
| Attachment to Israel | Sephardic/Mizrachi | Non-SMJ |
|---|---|---|
| Not at all | 10% | 18% |
| Not very | 14% | 19% |
| Somewhat | 31% | 34% |
| Very | 45% | 29% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Sephardic or Mizrachi Jewish adults in the eight-county area report high levels of emotional attachment to Israel. About 76% of Sephardic or Mizrachi adults report that they are at least somewhat emotionally attached to Israel, compared with 63% of Jewish adults who do not identify as Sephardic or Mizrachi.
| Caring About Israel | Sephardic/Mizrachi | Non-SMJ |
|---|---|---|
| Strongly disagree | 5% | 18% |
| Somewhat disagree | 14% | 12% |
| Somewhat agree | 30% | 32% |
| Strongly agree | 52% | 38% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
The vast majority of Sephardic or Mizrachi Jewish adults report that caring about Israel is an important part of their Jewish identity. Eighty-two percent of Sephardic or Mizrachi Jewish adults at least somewhat agree that caring about Israel is an important part of their Jewish identity, compared with 70% of non-Sephardic/Mizrachi Jews.
Nearly one in ten Jewish adults in New York’s eight-county area identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ). The LGBTQ Jewish adult population is more heavily concentrated in Manhattan and Queens, younger, and less likely to be married than the non-LGBTQ population, but its members are more likely to be in intermarriages when married. And although LGBTQ Jewish adults live in households with children at similar rates to non-LGBTQ Jewish adults, they have smaller households on average. With respect to Jewish life, LGBTQ Jewish adults most frequently identify as culturally Jewish or nondenominational and are somewhat less involved in ritual and organizational dimensions of Jewish life. LGBTQ Jewish adults also report feeling less connected to Israel than their Jewish non-LGBTQ counterparts.
| Total Jewish Adults | 1,076,000 |
| % LGBTQ | 9% |
There are an estimated 75,000 Jewish adults in New York’s eight-county area that identify as LGBTQ, representing about 9% of the Jewish adult community.
| County | LGBTQ | Non-LGBTQ |
|---|---|---|
| Bronx | * | 3% |
| Brooklyn | 22% | 20% |
| Nassau | * | 19% |
| Manhattan | 32% | 23% |
| Queens | 27% | 13% |
| Staten Island | * | 4% |
| Suffolk | * | 9% |
| Westchester | * | 9% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Jewish adults who identify as LGBTQ most frequently reside in Manhattan and Queens, followed by Brooklyn.
| Age | LGBTQ | Non-LGBTQ |
|---|---|---|
| 18–29 | 35% | 12% |
| 30–49 | 43% | 27% |
| 50–64 | 9% | 25% |
| 65+ | 13% | 35% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Jewish adults who identify as LGBTQ are significantly younger than Jewish adults who do not identify as such, with median ages of 33 and 57 respectively. About 78% of LGBTQ Jewish adults are under the age of 50, compared with just 39% of Jewish adults who do not identify as LGBTQ.
| Political Affiliation | LGBTQ | Non-LGBTQ |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal | 84% | 46% |
| Moderate | 11% | 32% |
| Conservative | 5% | 22% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
LGBTQ Jewish adults in New York’s eight-county area are more politically liberal compared with non-LGBTQ Jewish adults. Eighty-four percent of LGBTQ Jewish adults identify as politically liberal, compared with just 46% of non-LGBTQ Jewish adults.
| Depression and/or Anxiety | LGBTQ | Non-LGBTQ |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 33% | 17% |
| No | 67% | 83% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Adults in Jewish households who identify as LGBTQ report symptoms of depression and/or anxiety at higher levels than the non-LGBTQ population. One-third of LGBTQ adults report symptoms of depression or anxiety, compared with 18% of the non-LGBTQ population. Mental health challenges are a persistent concern in the LGBTQ community, which continues to face stigma and discrimination. This finding is consistent with UJA’s previous research, which identified LGBTQ adults among those most affected by symptoms of depression or anxiety in the New York Jewish community.11
| Marital Status | LGBTQ | Non-LGBTQ |
|---|---|---|
| Not Married | 69% | 38% |
| Married | 31% | 62% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Thirty-one percent of LGBTQ Jewish adults are married, a rate half that of the non-LGBTQ Jewish adult population. While LGBTQ adults are younger on average than non-LGBTQ adults, this only partially accounts for the difference in marriage rates between the two groups; the association between LGBTQ status and marriage remains significant even when controlling for age.
| Intermarriage | LGBTQ | Non-LGBTQ |
|---|---|---|
| Not Intermarried | 36% | 77% |
| Intermarried | 64% | 23% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Among Jewish adults who are married, LGBTQ Jewish adults are much more likely to be intermarried than non-LGBTQ+ Jewish adults. Sixty-four percent of married LGBTQ adults are in intermarriages, compared with just 23% of married Jewish adults who do not identify as LGBTQ.
| Household With Children | LGBTQ | Non-LGBTQ |
|---|---|---|
| No | 86% | 79% |
| Yes | 14% | 21% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Notably, although LGBTQ Jewish adults are less frequently married, they live in households with children at comparable rates with non-LGBTQ Jewish adults. Fourteen percent of Jewish adults who identify as LGBTQ live in households with children.
| LGBTQ | Non-LGBTQ | |
|---|---|---|
| Household size | 2.02 | 2.42 |
While LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ adults live in households with children at similar rates, LGBTQ adults tend to have smaller households, with an average of two members, compared to 2.4 among non-LGBTQ households.
| Denomination | LGBTQ | Non-LGBTQ |
|---|---|---|
| Orthodox | 2% | 16% |
| Conservative | 12% | 18% |
| Reform | 19% | 23% |
| Other | 67% | 43% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
The majority of LGBTQ Jewish adults (67%) identify as nondenominational or some other denomination, well above the rate of 43% among non-LGBTQ adults. They are also considerably less likely to identify as Orthodox, with only 2% of LGBTQ Jewish adults identifying as Orthodox, compared with 16% of non-LGBTQ adults.12
| Feels Connected | LGBTQ | Non-LGBTQ |
|---|---|---|
| Not at all | 21% | 18% |
| Only a little | 39% | 28% |
| Some | 26% | 34% |
| A lot | 13% | 21% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Overall, LGBTQ Jewish adults report lower levels of connection to the Jewish community in New York. Among the non-Orthodox, 60% report that they feel connected to the Jewish community in New York “not at all” or “only a little” compared with 46% of non-LGBTQ adults.13
| Jewish Engagement | LGBTQ | Non-LGBTQ |
|---|---|---|
| Minimally Engaged | 42% | 24% |
| Moderately Engaged | 47% | 50% |
| Highly Engaged | 12% | 26% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
LGBTQ Jewish adults, who have lower rates of denominational affiliation, similarly tend to report lower levels of Jewish engagement compared with their non-LGBTQ counterparts. While about half of both LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ Jewish adults describe themselves as moderately engaged, 42% of LGBTQ adults report minimal engagement, compared with 24% of non-LGBTQ adults. Only 12% of LGBTQ Jewish adults report high levels of Jewish engagement.
| LGBTQ | Non-LGBTQ | |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday | ||
| Hanukkah | 81% | 86% |
| Passover Seder | 76% | 82% |
| Yom Kippur | 59% | 79% |
| Ritual | ||
| Shabbat (Weekly) | 15% | 26% |
| Kosher (At all) | 18% | 31% |
| Prayer Services (Monthly) | 11% | 22% |
| Organization | ||
| Synagogue Membership | 27% | 38% |
| Jewish Programs | 58% | 52% |
| Jewish Donations | 57% | 74% |
While LGBTQ Jewish adults report celebrating Hanukkah and participating in Passover seders at similar levels to non-LGBTQ adults, they less frequently report observing Yom Kippur. Moreover, Jewish adults who identify as LGBTQ less frequently mark Shabbat weekly, keep kosher, or attend services at least monthly. With respect to organizational Jewish life, more than half of LGBTQ Jewish adults report participating in Jewish programs but less frequently hold membership at a synagogue, live with a synagogue member, or make donations to Jewish organizations, compared with their non-LGBTQ peers.
| Service Attendance | LGBTQ | Non-LGBTQ |
|---|---|---|
| Never | 51% | 39% |
| A few times a year | 33% | 31% |
| Every few months | 5% | 8% |
| Once or twice a month | 6% | 7% |
| At least once a week | 5% | 15% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Frequency of prayer service attendance varies by LGBTQ identity. About half of Jewish adults who identify as LGBTQ report never attending services, compared with 39% of non-LGBTQ Jewish adults. Moreover, only 5% of LGBTQ Jewish adults report attending services at least once a week, about a third of the rate of non-LGBTQ Jewish adults.
| Reason for Not Attending | LGBTQ | Non-LGBTQ |
|---|---|---|
| Not interested in religious or prayer services | 60% | 70% |
| Haven't found services that appeal to me | 34% | 17% |
| Can't afford to join a synagogue | 18% | 7% |
| Some other reason | 0% | 6% |
Among Jewish adults who never attend services, about a third of LGBTQ Jewish adults report that they have not found services that appeal to them — twice the rate of non-LGBTQ Jewish adults. LGBTQ Jewish adults also more frequently cite not attending due to costs associated with joining a synagogue.
| Attachment to Israel | LGBTQ | Non-LGBTQ |
|---|---|---|
| Not at all | 28% | 16% |
| Not very | 30% | 19% |
| Somewhat | 28% | 36% |
| Very | 14% | 30% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
LGBTQ Jewish adults report lower levels of emotional attachment to Israel compared with Jewish adults who do not identity as LGBTQ. Forty-two percent of LGBTQ adults report that they are at least somewhat emotionally attached to Israel, compared with 66% of non-LGBTQ Jewish adults.
| Caring About Israel | LGBTQ | Non-LGBTQ |
|---|---|---|
| Strongly disagree | 40% | 14% |
| Somewhat disagree | 15% | 12% |
| Somewhat agree | 27% | 33% |
| Strongly agree | 17% | 40% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Additionally, LGBTQ Jewish adults are less likely to agree that caring about Israel is an important part of their Jewish identity. Only 44% of LGBTQ Jewish adults at least somewhat agree with this sentiment, compared with 73% of non-LGBTQ Jewish adults. Data from the Pew Research Center’s 2020 study of American Jews shows similar findings among LGBTQ Jews nationally: While 60% of non-LGBTQ Jews feel very or somewhat attached to Israel, only 46% of those who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual feel the same.14
This finding, however, is largely explained by the demographics of LGBTQ Jews, who are significantly younger and more liberal than non-LGBTQ adults. Controlling for both political identification and age, LGBTQ identity is not a significant predictor of attachment to Israel.