Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., May 06, 2009 Iyyar 12, 5769 | | Israel Time: 02:10 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File TLV 100

New study: Jewish identity stronger among Israelis in New York than American-born brethren By Raphael Ahren Israelis living in New York are much more connected to their "Jewishness" than American-born Jews, according to a new study released earlier this week by United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York. The surprising results might be partly due to the relatively high percentage of Orthodox Israelis in the area. The study claims that Israelis "far outscore" Americans in terms of synagogue attendance, kashrut observance, participation in Jewish charity events, volunteering to aid needy Jews, visiting Jewish museums and Web sites, as well as in membership in Jewish community centers. The study showed that 60 percent of Israelis in New York light Shabbat candles and maintain a kosher home. Nine out of 10 light Hanukkah candles, fast on Yom Kippur and view Jewish education for their children to be "of supreme importance." Seventy-two percent maintain close ties with Israel. Advertisement The divorce rate is lower among Israelis in New York than among American Jews, the study continued. "More than 96 percent were married with 40 percent having four to five family members and 15 percent six or more, which points to a large proportion of Orthodox or ultra-Orthodox families in the New York Israeli population," the authors of the study stated. According to a breakdown of religious affiliation, which was based on two separate surveys, some 41 percent of Israelis in the Big Apple consider themselves Orthodox. On the other hand, less then 10 percent of American Jews identify themselves as Orthodox, according to Yeshiva University historian Dr. Jeffrey Gurock, who just published a book, "Orthodox Jews in America." The study, conducted by Prof. Steven M. Cohen and Dr. Judith Weinstein to enable UJA to create effective programming for Israelis in New York, also revealed surprising data about their numbers. While previously it was estimated that 1.5 million Israelis live in the East Coast metropolis, the study showed the actual number to be 41,000. This estimate includes Jews born in Israel as well as those who lived there for at least one year. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Peres hits Washington President meets top officials, including Obama and Clinton, to discuss Mideast peace. The Syria-Iran axis Ahmadinejad and Assad reaffirm countries' ties, vow united support for Palestinians.

Read & React Netanyahu to AIPAC: We want peace with Arab world Responses: 70 Obama gets tougher with Israel on Palestinians, Iran Responses: 115 Bradley Burston: This is how the occupation ends Responses: 52 Israeli ambassador to Spain called 'Jew dog' at Real Madrid game Responses: 54 More Headlines 00:58 Peres to Obama: No choice but to compare Iran to Nazis 23:00 Barak: IDF did not mean to shoot at UN facilities in Gaza 22:36 Biden tells AIPAC: Israel must support two-state solution 23:51 Assad: Syria-Iran ties serve stability and strength of Mideast 23:07 U.S. urges Israel to sign anti-nuclear arms treaty 16:44 Israel begins revoking citizenship of four Arabs 22:35 Lieberman: Take action against Iran if no talks in three months 19:23 AUDIO / American Idol finalist Adam Lambert sings Yom Kippur prayer 21:58 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel 19:15 Israel to pay terror victims with money allocated to PA 22:02 UN questions Israelis on Palestinian torture allegations 13:18 Far-rightist MK: Hitler Youth pope not welcome in Israel 20:09 Woman hospitalized in Nahariya with Swine Flu symptoms 13:58 'U.K. airline BMI must explain its omission of Israel from maps' 17:33 Meshal: Hamas seeks Palestinian state based on 1967 borders 10:03 Israeli ambassador to Spain called 'Jew dog' at Real Madrid game Previous Editions Select Day 05 may 04 may 03 may 01 may 30 apr 29 apr 28 apr 27 apr 26 apr 24 apr 23 apr 22 apr

Special Offers Advertisement Spring Specials-Dan Hotels Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$ The Meier on Rothschild Tower Masterpiece Residence in the Heart of Tel Aviv Dead Sea Skin Care Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off! Camp Kimama Israel 2009 The best place for your children this summer Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results

Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved