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CURRENT PROJECTS
Jewish Arts & CultureParticipating in Jewish culture is an important part of Bay Area Jewish identity. Over 90% of Jewish adults participate in some form of Jewish cultural activity. Film, music, and lectures are the three most popular types of Jewish participation. Attending theatre, dance, and all other forms of Jewish culture are also important. Jews also participate in Jewish culture at home. Over 75% read Jewish books, newspapers or magazines. Moreover, watching Jewish television programs and renting Jewish videos are also key. About 33% of Jewish adults use a computer for Jewish cultural participation. Moreover, 90% of the Jews in the Bay Area are interested in attending more Jewish cultural programs. They are most interested in film, art exhibits, and theatre. Both the current use and the potential use for involving Jews through Jewish cultural activities are enormous. For some analysts in Jewish life, the cultural arts are seen as peripheral, trivial, or poor substitutes for real Jewish identity, which expresses itself through synagogue attendance, observance of Kashrut (dietary laws), and strict ritual observance. While these are important aspects of Jewish identity for some Jews, they are not the main expression of Jewish identity for most Jews. The majority of Jews in the Bay Area define themselves as ethnic, cultural, or secular Jews. They do not see themselves as religious, at least as defined by the standards of synagogue and Kashrut . Yet, they are proud to be Jews and want to participate in Jewish life. Cultural activities are a key element, and for many the primary element, in their Jewish expression and lives. Publications
Research Note A Study of Jewish Culture in the Bay Area. Article "The Emergence of a Secular Cultural Identity," Religious & Spiritual Change in AmericaReligion in Marin County is part of a new religious environment in the United States. As this study shows, religion in the county is both traditional and exploratory, representative and unusual. However, Marin is not unique. It is more like the religious landscape of the United States in general than not. Marin serves as a case study of particular changes occurring on the religious landscape of America. This study reveals five trends. First, traditional religious institutions involve more Marin County residents than other forms of religious affiliation. Many still identify themselves as Christian, belong to congregations, and use traditional forms of worship. Second, there is a growing population of religious searchers, those on spiritual journeys who are looking beyond the faith in which they were raised for their own individual religious identity. Consequently, the numbers of people practicing faiths other than Christianity are growing. Third, this spiritual searching results in a growing number of people who are switching religions. It can no longer be assumed that a person is born into one religion and will maintain that religious identity all of his or her life. Fourth, many people whom have not switched religions borrow from different religious traditions. By incorporating worship practice and/or ritual aspects of other faiths into their own, these people are enriching their own faith. Fifth, there is a growing population that lives in households where more than one religion is practiced. Some may have a partner who practices a different religion or some may be part of a blended family with multiple faiths in the home. Publication
Professional DevelopmentThe issue of professional development has not received as much research attention as one might expect, even though it has clear consequences for the well being of the Jewish community. Professional Development in the Jewish Community examines the issues of professional development: Why is “professional development” important for Jewish community organizations and the Jewish educators and communal professionals who staff them? Is the Jewish community getting its share of “the best and the brightest?” What are the issues of recruitment and retention for Jewish educators and communal professionals? What will ensure a steady and adequate supply of individuals committed to Jewish communal work? Why are people attracted to such careers, and what disincentives keep people away? Over 60 individuals who have played significant roles in past and current professional development efforts were interviewed. This includes professors and administrators who run programs in seminaries, colleges, and universities; federation and agency leaders who have devised various local solutions; long-time professionals in national Jewish organizations and funders. The report is organized around sixteen related topics: 1) professional development2) motivation 3) recruitment 4) marketing 5) pre-service 6) retention 7) lay leadership 8) supervision 9) continuing education 10) accountability 11) community investment 12) programs 13) informal education 14) balance 15) gender 16) leadership Publications
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