Washtenaw County Area Jewish Community Study:
Data-Driven Collaboration
The Results Are In
On this page, you can explore the results of the 2022-23 Washtenaw County Area Jewish Community Study.
There are links to: a Highlights document, the full 160-page report, a methodology overview, technical appendices, and an executive summary.
What’s Next
While the study itself is complete, the community’s work to translate data into action is just beginning. This report is the starting point for introspection, deeper conversation, and collaborative strategic planning.
A Community Visioning and Strategic Planning Committee, chaired by Robin Pollak and Megan Bernard, has begun to meet to develop a new community vision and strategic plan. This plan will be generated over the course of many months, using the valid data of the study as a foundation to identify a set of communal values and goals, and a strategic plan to enhance local Jewish life.
The planning process will be conducted in partnership with volunteer leaders, community organizations, program providers, and the community writ large to explore the data, identify new questions, and continue to learn about communal needs and desires.
Want to be part of shaping the next steps for our community? Contact Eileen Freed at eileenfreed@jewishannarbor.org.
Highlights
An easy-to-read overview of the most important findings.
Full Report
160 pages of results
Methodological Overview
In-depth information on how the study was conducted
Technical Appendices
Includes: Methodology, Analysis, Study Instrument, Codebook, and Recruitment Material
Executive Summary
A list of key findings from each chapter of the full report
Public use data set
The full public use data set can be accessed on the Brandeis website here. Available for download in both SAV and DTA file formats.
Comparison charts
The Comparison Charts are an Excel file that provides details on responses to survey questions for subgroups in the Jewish community. Learn more in an overview here and download the Excel file here.
About the Community Study
The Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor is pleased to announce the launch of the 2022-2023 Washtenaw County Area Jewish Community Study, the first such comprehensive study of our Jewish community ever conducted.
The Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University, in partnership with NORC at the University of Chicago, an independent research institution, has conducted the study on our behalf. This project has been commissioned by the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor, in partnership with local Jewish communal organizations and congregations. It is made possible by Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor, Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Ann Arbor, The Jewish Federations of North America Research Benchmarking Project, with support from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County, Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor, Temple Beth Emeth, Beth Israel Congregation, and other funders.
The Washtenaw County Area Jewish Community Study serves a number of important functions. The data it yields will provide us with a dynamic understanding of who comprises our Jewish community, how they identify, where they are located, and how many Jewish families and individuals call Washtenaw County home. Most importantly, the study will help us learn about the gaps in Jewish communal programming and services and barriers to affiliation and participation in our Jewish institutions.
This study will inform a formal visioning and strategic planning process that will allow Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor and our local partners to serve the broadest possible cross-section of our community with greater impact than ever before. All area congregations, agencies, and Jewishly-focused organizations will receive both the final report and the raw data generated by the study. It is our hope that this project raises the tide for every local Jewish institution in fostering Jewish identity and continuity for generations to come.
If you have questions, please contact Eileen Freed at eileenfreed@jewishannarbor.org.
The Community Study is made possible with financial support from:
