Jewish Community of Southern Nevada Summary Report of 2005, published 2007

The 2005 Jewish Community Study of Southern Nevada Summary Report The 2005 Jewish Community Study of Southern Nevada Summary Report Ira M. Sheskin, Ph.D. Director of the Jewish Demography Project of the Sue and Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies and Associate Professor Department of Geography and Regional Studies University of Miami isheskin@miami.edu Electronic copies of the data and reports from this study are available at www.jewishdatabank.org. January 2007 Tevet 5767 On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson School/Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy and the Board of Directors of the United Jewish Community/Jewish Federation of Las Vegas (UJC), we are pleased to present this Summary Report of the comprehensive community study of the Jewish community of Southern Nevada. The information it contains will provide us with important data, which will be of use to UJC, local agencies, Jewish day schools, synagogues and organizations, as well as the members of the Jewish community on whose behalf all of these institutions exist. We wish to give special thanks to Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson for their vision, wisdom, and generosity, which compelled us to pursue this study. Ira M. Sheskin, Ph.D., Director of the Jewish Demography Project of the Sue and Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies and Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Regional Studies at the University of Miami, was engaged to conduct the study. When it comes to Jewish community studies throughout the United States, Dr. Sheskin has completed more such studies than any other demographer, and his experience evidences itself in the design and results. Using the most current, state-of-the-art techniques, Dr. Sheskin was most responsive to the community's requests and provided us with a survey of the highest quality and greatest possible degree of accuracy. The information contained herein is fascinating, exciting, and staggering all at the same time. It provides us with a powerful tool to enhance our programmatic and capital planning efforts, and to enable us to bring concrete plans to the fore. This study belongs to the entire Jewish community. It is now up to all of us to use it as we continue to build Jewish community, advance Jewish life, and strengthen Jewish connections locally, nationally, in Israel, and around the world. Sincerely, Victor Chaltiel Chairman of the Board of Trustees The Adelson School M.I.S. Hebrew Academy Rhonda Glyman Campus Project Director The Adelson School M.I.S. Hebrew Academy Danny Greenspun Chairman of the Board of Directors UJC/Jewish Federation of Las Vegas Meyer Bodoff President and CEO UJC/Jewish Federation of Las Vegas Table of Contents Page Major Themes of the Study. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i Maps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxi Major Findings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Comparisons with Other Jewish Communities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Size and Distribution of the Jewish Population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Geographic Profile.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Demographic Profile?Age.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Demographic Profile?Household Size. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Demographic Profile?Household Structure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Demographic Profile?Marital Status. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Demographic Profile?Secular Education.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Demographic Profile?Employment Status.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Demographic Profile?Housing Value.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Demographic Profile?Household Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Religious Profile?Jewish Identification.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Religious Profile?Practices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Religious Profile?Synagogue Attendance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Religious Profile?Types of Marriage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Importance of Being Jewish.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Membership Profile?Synagogues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Membership Profile?JCC and Jewish Organizations .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Feel a Part of the Jewish Community.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Jewish Education of Adults?Formal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Jewish Education of Adults?Informal.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Jewish Education of Children?Preschool/Child Care.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Jewish Education of Children?Jewish Day School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Jewish Education of Children?New Jewish High School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Jewish Education of Children?School Age Children. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Jewish Education of Children?Informal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Jewish Agencies?Familiarity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Jewish Day Schools?Familiarity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Jewish Agencies?Perception. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Jewish Day Schools?Perception. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Table of Contents Page Social Service Needs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Israel?Visits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Emotional Attachment to Israel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Anti-Semitism.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 The Media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Philanthropic Profile?Overall Donations.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Philanthropic Profile?JFLV Donations.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Philanthropic Profile?Other Donations.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Philanthropic Profile?Market Share.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Philanthropic Profile?Wills. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Philanthropic Profile?Volunteerism.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Philanthropic Profile?Attitudes.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Acknowledgments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Northwest Southwest Southeast Northeast Central Geographic Areas of Las Vegas 89191 89149 89115 89131 89031 89115 89130 89129 89191 89129 89156 89030 89108 89032 89134 89128 89110 89106 89144 89145 89107 89101 89011 89117 89146 89102 89104 89135 89142 89005 89121 89109 89147 89103 89122 89119 89015 89118 89120 89148 89113 89014 89123 89139 89012 89141 89052 Northwest Southwest Southeast Northeast Central Jewish Households in Las Vegas 89074 89138 Each Dot Equals 20 Jewish Households 89191 89149 89115 89131 89031 89115 89130 89191 89129 89156 89030 89108 89032 89134 89128 89110 89106 89144 89145 89107 89101 89011 89117 89146 89102 89104 89135 89142 89005 89121 89109 89147 89103 89122 89119 89015 89118 89120 89148 89113 89014 89123 89139 89012 89141 89052 Major Themes of the Study i Las Vegas Is the Twenty-Third Largest Jewish Community in the Country and Has an Increasing Jewish Population 89,000 persons live in 42,000 Jewish households in Las Vegas. Of the 89,000 persons in Jewish households, 67,500 persons (76%) are Jewish. From 1995-2005, the number of Jewish households increased by 44% (from 29,100 households to 42,000 households), while the number of persons in Jewish households increased by 33% (from 66,900 persons to 89,000 persons) and the number of Jews in Jewish households increased by 21% (from 55,600 Jews to 67,500 Jews). These significant numbers should be touted with national Jewish organizations in an attempt to attract additional Jewish resources to Las Vegas. Compared to about 40 Jewish communities, the 29% of Jewish households in Las Vegas who moved to Southern Nevada within the past five years is the fourth highest. However, the 5% of Jewish households who will definitely move out of the local metropolitan area within the next three years is the fifth highest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities. Assuming that the current rate of in-migration continues for the next few years, these data suggest that the number of Jewish households in Las Vegas will probably continue to increase significantly during the next few years as a result of migration into and out of Southern Nevada. Thus, planning should occur in an environment that assumes a continuing increase in the Jewish population. Welcoming New Jewish Households to the Las Vegas Jewish Community and Identifying Existing Unknown Jewish Households Is Important An average of 2,428 Jewish households in Las Vegas moved to Southern Nevada each year during the past five years. Efforts should be made to identify new households and welcome them to the Las Vegas Jewish community. www.jewishlasvegas.com should be expanded to serve as a place for new residents and persons considering a move to Southern Nevada to report their name, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address. This information should then be followed up personally by lay volunteers. Information about the community and information from this study should be presented on the web site so that potential migrants to Southern Nevada will be attracted to the community and will be able to select a neighborhood based on its Jewish demographics. 24% of the 42,000 Jewish households in Las Vegas are on the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas mailing list. The 24% is the lowest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities. Use of a CD-ROM telephone directory and lists of Distinctive Jewish Names (DJNs) would facilitate the identification of potential additional Jewish households. Some of these households will not be Jewish, but this can be sorted out on Super Sunday. The low percentage of Jewish households on the Jewish Federation mailing list affects the ability of the Jewish Federation, Jewish agencies, synagogues, and other Jewish organizations to communicate with the Jewish community. A Significant Geographic Shift in the Location of the Jewish Population Has Occurred Three geographic areas show significant increases from 1995-2005 in the percentage of Las Vegas Jewish households living in those areas. The percentage of Jewish households in the Northwest increased from 24% to 31%; the percentage in the Southeast increased from 19% to 25%; and the percentage in the Northeast increased from 7% to 11%. Major Themes of the Study ii In contrast, from 1995-2005, the percentage of Jewish households in the Southwest decreased from 30% to 23% and the percentage in the Central decreased from 20% to 10%. The number of households in the Central decreased from 5,800 households in 1995 to 4,200 households in 2005. The Jewish community should recognize this shift in the Jewish population away from the Central and the Southwest to the Northwest, Southeast, and Northeast in selecting locations for new capital facilities. www.jewishlasvegas.com should provide information advising potential migrants that the Northwest, in particular, will become the focus of the Jewish community. Currently, the JCC, the JFSA, and the Jewish Federation are all located in the Central. These three organizations should carefully reexamine their geographic location. The Geographic Dispersal of the Las Vegas Jewish Community Makes It Difficult for Jewish Institutions to Serve the Population One of the challenges faced by the Las Vegas Jewish community in serving its population is that Jewish households are not concentrated in any one part of the metropolitan area. 31% of Jewish households live in the Northwest; 25%, in the Southeast; 23%, in the Southwest; 11%, in the Northeast; and 10%, in the Central. Only 19% of Jewish households live in the top three zip code areas for Jewish population: 89134, 89052, and 89117. The 19% is the fourth lowest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities. The Jewish Federation and other Jewish agencies are soon to build major Jewish facilities in the Northwest. The geographic dispersal of the Jewish population suggests that the Jewish community should consider offering programs in satellite facilities in other parts of Southern Nevada. The Jewish Community Needs to Expand Its Procedures to Track Jewish Households as They Move Within Southern Nevada The Jewish Federation should consider keeping a record of the origin and destination zip codes of known Jewish households who move within Southern Nevada as address changes are received from the post office. Doing so over a 3-5 year period will yield significant data on intraregional migration at no cost. If significant geographic shifts in the location of the Jewish population are detected, as have been seen over the past decade, the Jewish community can react with the provision of services and programs in new areas. In a community which has recently shown such a marked change in the distribution of its Jewish population, this procedure is essential. Las Vegas Is Not ?Home? for Many Jewish Households Only 1% of adults in Jewish households in Las Vegas were born in Southern Nevada, and only 21% of Jewish households have lived in Southern Nevada for 20 or more years. 5% of Jewish households will definitely move out of Southern Nevada within the next three years, the fifth highest percentage of about 30 comparison Jewish communities. These factors lead to a high level of attachment to other Jewish communities, as is shown by the 8% of charitable dollars donated by Jewish households to Jewish Federations other than the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas in the past year. Also, 69% of Jewish respondents reported that they feel ?not very much? or ?not at all? a part of the Southern Nevada Jewish community. Programs with themes that have the potential to ?bond? people to the local Jewish community should receive particular attention. Major Themes of the Study iii Significant Regional Variations Exist among the Geographic Areas Significant variations exist among the geographic areas in Las Vegas in the demographic, religious, membership, and philanthropic profiles of the Jewish population. Thus, results for Las Vegas as a whole should not be applied to planning at the regional level. For example, the results for Las Vegas as a whole show that 13% of persons in Jewish households are age 0-17; however, only 5% of persons in Jewish households in the Central are age 0-17. The results for Las Vegas as a whole show that 11% of persons in Jewish households are age 75 and over; however, 21% of persons in Jewish households in the Central are age 75 and over. The percentage of new households (live in Southern Nevada for 0-4 years) ranges from 24% of households in both the Central and the Northeast to 35% of households in the Southeast. 39% of Jewish households in the Central are single person households, compared to 33% in the Southwest, 29% in the Southeast, 25% in the Northwest, and 20% in the Northeast. The percentage of households with children age 0-17 at home ranges from 5% in the Central to 34% in the Northwest. Median household income of Jewish households is higher in the Northwest ($70,000) and the Southeast ($65,000) than in the Southwest ($54,000), the Northeast ($53,000), and the Central ($44,000). The percentage of Conservative households ranges from 15% in the Northeast to 26% in both the Northwest and the Southwest. The percentage of Reform households ranges from 21% in the Northeast to 30% in the Southeast. The percentage of Just Jewish households ranges from 42% in the Southwest to 64% in the Northeast. The percentage of married couples in Jewish households who are intermarried is higher in the Northeast (63%), the Central (58%), and the Southeast (53%) than in the Southwest (43%) and the Northwest (40%). The percentage of households who are synagogue members ranges from 2% of households in the Northeast to 19% of households in the Northwest. Jewish community planning should occur with these and other regional variations in mind. Las Vegas Has a Relatively High Percentage of Children in Jewish Households Living in Single Parent Households and in Households in Which Divorce Plays a Role 11% of children age 0-17 in Jewish households in Las Vegas live in single parent households (households with one adult and children age 0-17 at home), which is the fourth highest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities. 47% of children age 0-17 in Jewish households live in households in which an adult is or has been divorced, which is the second highest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities. The divorce rate of 164 divorced adults in Jewish households per 1,000 married adults is the third highest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities. Programs that deal with issues of divorce and blended families should receive special emphasis in this community. Major Themes of the Study iv Las Vegas Is an Area of Relatively Modest Income with Relatively High Housing Values Almost 7,000 Jewish households in Las Vegas are low income households (household income under $25,000), and 1,300 households live below the Federal poverty levels. The $61,000 median household income of Jewish households is the eighth lowest of about 50 comparison Jewish communities and compares to $62,000 in 1995 (adjusted for inflation). In contrast, the $365,000 median value of homes owned by Jewish households is the fifth highest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities. Thus, the Jewish community should be sensitive to its lower income members in setting dues and fees for memberships and programs. Significant Problems Exist with Jewish Identity and Continuity in Las Vegas Overall, the level of Jewish religious practice in Las Vegas is lower than in almost every comparison Jewish community. Among the comparison Jewish communities, Las Vegas has the lowest percentage of households who always or usually participate in a Passover Seder (50%), always or usually light Sabbath candles (11%), and keep a kosher home (5%). It has the second lowest percentage of households who have a mezuzah on the front door (55%) and respondents who keep kosher in and out of the home (3%). It has the third lowest percentage of households who always or usually light Chanukah candles (64%). Las Vegas also has the second highest percentage of Jewish households who always, usually, or sometimes have a Christmas tree in the home (34%). Among the comparison Jewish communities, Las Vegas has the lowest percentage of households who are members of a synagogue (14%), the lowest percentage of households who are members of a synagogue at some time during their adult lives (65%), and the lowest percentage of households with children who are members of a synagogue (16%). In addition, Las Vegas has the lowest percentage of Jewish respondents who attend synagogue services once per month or more (13%) and the highest percentage who never attend services (or attend only for special occasions) (44%). While 83% of Jewish households in Las Vegas are involved Jewishly in some way (either through religious practice, synagogue attendance, membership in the organized Jewish community, or Jewish philanthropic giving in the past year), this is the lowest percentage of about 35 comparison Jewish communities. Thus, significant efforts should be undertaken to engage Jewish households in Jewish life. Jewish Ethnic Attachments Are Particularly Weak in Las Vegas The 53% of Jewish respondents in Las Vegas who consider being Jewish very important is the lowest of about ten comparison Jewish communities. The 31% of Jewish respondents who feel very much or somewhat a part of the Southern Nevada Jewish community is the lowest of about 20 comparison Jewish communities. The 36% of Jewish respondents who are extremely or very emotionally attached to Israel is the third lowest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities. The 40% of Jewish respondents age 40 and over who would very much prefer Jewish-sponsored adult care facilities is the second lowest of about 25 comparison Jewish communities. Thus, not only are levels of Jewish religious practice and Jewish organizational membership low in Las Vegas Major Themes of the Study v (see previous Theme), but even those measures that indicate a community?s feelings of identification with and ethnic attachment to the Jewish people are low. Finding programs that will provide compelling reasons for unengaged Las Vegas Jews to become part of the Jewish community represents a significant challenge. Programs for Jewish Singles Are Particularly Important in Las Vegas 39% (15,892 adults) of Jewish adults age 18-64 in Las Vegas are single. 28% (3,859 households) of households with single Jewish adults age 18-64 (Jewish singles) were interested in singles programs in the past year. Included in the 28% are 14% (1,854 households) of households with Jewish singles who attended Jewish programs, 1% (179 households) who attended non-Jewish programs, and 13% (1,827 households) who did not attend singles programs in the past year. Thus, there is an unmet need for singles programs and a strong tendency for Jewish singles who attended singles programs in the past year to attend Jewish programs. Non-elderly single households are less likely to be involved in the organized Las Vegas Jewish community (only 11% are associated with the Jewish community), where they would be likely to meet other Jewish singles, which further highlights the need for organized Jewish singles programs. The organized Jewish community, including synagogues, the Jewish Federation, and the JCC, should coordinate efforts to support and enhance Jewish singles programs. Efforts to Integrate Intermarried Households into the Jewish Community Are Important in Las Vegas Among the comparison Jewish communities, Las Vegas has the fourth highest percentage of married couples in Jewish households who are intermarried (couples intermarriage rate) (48%); the highest intermarriage rate for married couples in households age 35-49 (71%); and the third highest intermarriage rates for married couples in households age 50-64 (47%), age 65-74 (32%), and age 75 and over (28%). Las Vegas also has the fourth lowest conversion rate among married couples in Jewish households (12%); the highest percentage of Jewish children age 0-17 in married households being raised in intermarried households (46%); the lowest percentage of households with children age 0-17 at home containing Jewish children (55%); and the sixth lowest percentage of persons in Jewish households who consider themselves Jewish (76%). Levels of religious practice and other involvement in Jewish activity are particularly low in intermarried households. 94% of in-married households are involved Jewishly in some way, compared to 79% of intermarried households. Each synagogue and Jewish organization needs to develop its own policies and programs for grappling with these issues. Jewish identity initiatives must carefully balance ?outreach? to the intermarried population with ?inreach? to moderately affiliated Jews. Programs for intermarried households are probably best offered from the more neutral environment afforded by the JCC. The Emphasis in Las Vegas Should Be on Programs That Build Jewish Identity Over the past few decades, recognizing that government social service programs have improved compared to 20-30 years ago, Jewish Federations and JCCs around the country have been moving toward increased emphasis on Jewish identity-building programs in response to heightened concerns about Jewish identity and continuity. In recognition of this study?s findings on both Jewish identity issues and social service provision, it is clear that the Las Vegas Jewish community needs to be particularly concerned with issues of Jewish continuity. Major Themes of the Study vi JCCs and Synagogues Are Not Competing Institutions 2% of Jewish households in Las Vegas are JCC members but are not synagogue members, and 12% are synagogue members but are not JCC members. 2% of households are members of both a synagogue and a JCC. On the other hand, 85% of households are neither synagogue nor JCC members, which is the highest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities. Unlike most other JCCs, the JCC of Southern Nevada operates from an office building and thus has no significant physical facilities. For almost all of the comparison JCCs, the percentage of households who are JCC members but are not synagogue members is less than 8%. Synagogues and the JCC in Southern Nevada should coordinate efforts to encourage membership in both institutions, perhaps by offering discounts for joint synagogue and JCC membership. Synagogues should welcome the addition of a Jewish community campus to the community, since membership in one Jewish institution often encourages membership in others. A Coordinated Effort Is Needed to Increase Synagogue Membership In recognition of the importance of synagogues in promoting increased involvement in Jewish philanthropy and volunteerism, and other positive measures of Jewish identity, a coordinated effort to increase synagogue membership in Las Vegas should be considered. The 14% of Jewish households who reported current synagogue membership either in Southern Nevada or elsewhere is the lowest of about 55 comparison Jewish communities. The 16% current synagogue membership of households with children is the lowest of about 40 comparison Jewish communities. Among about 35 comparison Jewish communities, Las Vegas has the third lowest percentage of synagogue membership for households under age 35 (14%) and the lowest percentages for households age 35-49 (10%), age 50-64 (12%), and age 65 and over (19%). Perhaps contributing to the low levels of synagogue membership is that only 1% of adults in Jewish households were born in Southern Nevada, the second lowest percentage of about 40 comparison Jewish communities, which results in lower levels of attachment to local Jewish institutions. Current synagogue membership, either in Southern Nevada or elsewhere, is particularly low for households in the Northeast (2%) and for Just Jewish households (4%). Current synagogue membership is relatively high for elderly couple households (24%), Orthodox households (55%) and Conservative households (24%), households in which an adult visited Israel on a Jewish trip (34%), and households who donated $100-$500 (42%) and $500 and over (41%) to the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas in the past year. The 65% of lifetime synagogue membership, which is defined as the percentage of households who are synagogue members at some time during their adult lives and takes into account plans to definitely or probably join a synagogue in the future, is the lowest of about 30 comparison Jewish communities. Increasing synagogue membership in a community where 99% of adults in Jewish households are not locally born represents a particular challenge. Attracting unaffiliated Jews to synagogues in Southern Nevada can best be addressed through a coordinated, community-wide effort. That 32% of synagogue non-member households who definitely or probably plan to join a synagogue in the future suggests that significant success could accrue from such efforts. Major Themes of the Study vii Income Is a Factor in Synagogue Membership The strong relationship between household income and synagogue membership suggests that cost may be an important reason why more Jewish households in Las Vegas are not synagogue members. Synagogue membership increases from 12% of households earning an annual income under $100,000 to 19% of households earning $100,000-$200,000 and 22% of households earning $200,000 and over. 74% of Jewish households in Las Vegas earn an annual income under $100,000. Synagogues in Southern Nevada should examine their dues structures to determine financial strategies to increase membership while sustaining services. Once the new JCC is operating, the Las Vegas Jewish community should consider offering discounts for joint synagogue and JCC membership as a way of encouraging membership in both institutions. Multiple Entry Points to the Las Vegas Jewish Community Need to Be Marketed The 31% of Jewish respondents in Las Vegas who feel very much or somewhat a part of the Southern Nevada Jewish community is the lowest of about 20 comparison Jewish communities. In view of the Jewish identity and continuity issues facing the Las Vegas Jewish community, the organized Jewish community needs to market the many different ways to ?be Jewish? to those who are unaffiliated or only marginally involved. Most unaffiliated or marginally involved Jews view Judaism only in terms of synagogue life and religious practice. Emphasis should also be placed on the ethnic, historical, social, and cultural connections as ways for unengaged Jews to explore their Jewish identity. Adult Jewish education classes and programs, already attended by 13% of Jewish respondents in the past year, as well as Jewish cultural and social events and programs, may attract some unaffiliated Jews. Emphasis on tikkun olam and social action programs may attract others, and Israel-oriented programming may attract still others. Jewish organizations other than synagogues and JCCs, such as Hadassah and B?nai B?rith, often provide relatively inexpensive ways for Jews to become involved in Jewish life. In Las Vegas, only 12% of Jewish households reported current membership in a Jewish organization, which is the lowest of about 35 comparison Jewish communities. The organized Jewish community should promote these types of organizations as good vehicles for involving Jews with specific interests for whom cost is an obstacle. The Las Vegas Jewish Community Is Lacking Significant Jewish Infrastructure Almost all Jewish communities the size of Las Vegas, and many that are significantly smaller, have Jewish campuses often housing the Jewish Federation, a Jewish Community Center (JCC), and other Jewish institutions, such as a Jewish nursing home, Jewish independ