Main report of the Jewish Federation community study

Jewish Federation of Las Vegas Community Study FEDERATION OF LAS VEGAS Dr. Gary A. Tobin, Director Dr. Joel Streicker, Research Associate Dr. Gabriel Berger, Research Associate Minna Wolf, Research Associate Brandeis University Institute for Community and Religion Maurice and Marilyn Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies Keith Schwer, Director Center for Business and Economic Research at University Nevada Las Vegas THIS STUDY WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY A GRANT FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF LAS VEGAS T he Jewish Federation of Las Vegas is pleased to present the results of our Demographic Study and Needs Assessment of the fastest growing Jewish community in North America. With the availability of this data, the Las Vegas Jewish community now has valuable information which will help the Jewish Federation, our beneficiary agencies, our syna-gogues and other local Jewish organizations to better understand their constituents and to plan appropriately for our future. This project began under the administration of Dr. Allan N. Boruszak who appointed a com-mittee to help develop the process and choose the consultant who would oversee the project. This committee under the chairmanship of Amy Boruszak worked tirelessly over the past two years to assure that the study was of the highest caliber and truly assessed the needs of our Jewish community. The funding for this project was made possible by a grant from the Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas. We were fortunate to have worked with the research team headed by Dr. Gary A. Tobin of the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University, Gabriel Berger, also of Brandeis and Keith Schwer, Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at UNLV, who did the major field work for this study. Their attention to every detail assures that we have significantly accurate information. Our special thanks to those members of the community who took the time to answer the survey and provide us with the insights we need to build a Jewish community "second to none". As we move into the twenty-first century we can do so with confidence that the data presented here will serve as an accurate "road map" that will lead us to the development of the appropriate programs and services that will meet the needs of our Jewish community now and for many years to come. Elaine Galatz President Jewish Federation of Las Vegas P L A N N I N GC O M M I T T E E & B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S PLANNING COMMITTEE 1996 Amy Boruszak Chair Rabbi Sanford Akselrad Susan Fine Karen Galatz Robert Genzer Hal Ober Dennis Stein BOARD OF DIRECTORS 1996-97 Sheldon Adelson Jay Moss Rabbi Sanford Akselrad Reesa Niznick Daryl Alterwitz Emily Novick Jessica Anes Michael J. Novick A1 Benedict David Ober Shelley Berkley Hal Ober Brian K. Berman Irene Perer Dr. Allan N. Boruszak Dr. Marvin A. Perer Amy Boruszak Dr. Neville Pokroy Michael A. Cherry Arne Rosencrantz Dr. David Cohen Milton I. Schwartz David Dahan Sherry Sigesmund Peter Dubowsky Myra Slotnick Dorothy Eisenberg Dr. Doris L. Soroky Philip Engel Deanne Stralser Judge Fran Fine Carole Turk Mark Fine Jerome H. Turk Judy Frank Douglas Unger Leon Friedman Dr. Harris J. Waters Danny Greenspun Dr. Kent Wellish Andy Katz Ron Worth Edythe Katz Yarchever Gary Zimmerman Sandy Mallin Joan Zimmerman Arthur Marshall Elaine Galatz President Ronni Epstein Exectltiue Director T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S METHODOLOG...Y.. .............................................................................2 HOW TO READT HE REPORT.. .................................................2.. ..... MAJORF INDING.S... ........................................................................1 5 POLICYR ECOMMENDAT.I.O..N...S.. ....................................................... 19 DEMOGRAPHPIRCO FILE.. ..................................................................2 1 JEWISHI DENTI..T..Y... .....................................................................5 3 ................................ ~ R G A N ~ Z A T ~ O NAAFLF ILIATIONA ND PARTICIPATION 95 PHIL ANTH ROPY ..............................................................................I 0 9 SERVICED ELIVERY... .....................................................................1 51 L I S T O F F I G U R E S Figure 1: Place of Residence Before Moving to Current Address ........................................................2.7. Figure 2: Marriage Type ............................................................................................................................ 35 Figure 3: Family Composition ..................................................................................................................3 7 Figure 4: Secular Education of Adults .................................................................................................... 39 Figure 5: Occupation ...............................................................................................................................4. 5 Figure 6: Household Income ....................................................................................................................4 9 . . Figure 7: Importance of Jewish Traditions .............................................................................................. 56 Figure 8: Motivations to Visit Israel ........................................................................................................8 4 Figure 9: Number of Close Friends Who Are Jewish ............................................................................9 0 Figure 10: Organizational Affiliation ........................................................................................................9 5 Figure 11: Number of Jewish Organizational Memberships Other than Synagogues ............................9 9 Figure 12: Volunteering in the Past Year ................................................................................................1 04 Figure 13: Volunteering for Jewish versus Non-Jewish Organizations ................................................ 105 Figure 14: Likelihood of Contributing .................................................................................................. 116 Figure 15: Importance of Reasons to Contribute to Jewish Philanthropy ........................................ 126 Figure 16: Preference for Jewish Sponsored Services ............................................................................ 151 L I S T O F T A B L E S Table A: Sample Disposition on the RDD Screening ...........................................................................5.. . Table B: Sample Disposition on the Federation List ...........................................................................6.. . Table C: Household Population and Distribution ...............................................................................9.. . Table 1: Table 2: Table 3: Table 4: Table 5: Table 6: Table 7: Table 8: Table 9: Table 10: Table 1 1 : Table 12: Table 13: Table 14: Religion of Related Household Members .............................................................................2..1. Current Religion of Jewish Individuals .............................................................................1.. Current Religion by Religion Born ......................................................................................2..2. . Place of Birth ............................................................................................................................ 22 Birth Country of Foreign-Born Individuals .........................................................................2..3. Generation in the U.S. of Respondents and Spouses. ..........................................................2..3. Generation in the U.S. Comparison with Other Communities .............................................2. 3 Generation by Age .................................................................................................................... 24 Geographic Distribution of Individuals ..................................................................................2 4 Geographic Distribution of Households .................................................................................. 25 Area of Previous Residence ...................................................................................................... 25 Household Size ..........................................................................................................................2 5 Average Household Size in Comparison with Other Communities .....................................2.6 Household Size by Geographic Area ........................................................................................2 6 Table 15: Table 16: Table 17: Table 18: Table 19: Table 20: Table 2 1: Table 22: Table 23: Table 24: Table 25: Table 26: Table 27: Table 28: Table 29: Table 30: Table 3 1 : Table 32: Table 33: Table 34: Table 35: Table 36: Table 37: Table 38: Table 39: Table 40: Table 4 1: Table 42: Table 43: Table 44: Table 45: Table 46: Table 47: Table 48: Table 49: Table 50: Table 5 1: Table 52: Table 53: Table 54: Length of Residence in Las Vegas (Year Moved to Las Vegas) .............................................2. 6 Place of Residence Before Moving to Current Address .........................................................2. 7 State of Residence Before Moving to Current Address .........................................................2.7 Residential Mobility by Area .................................................................................................2..8. Residential Mobility by Age ...................................................................................................... 29 Likelihood of Moving in Comparison with Other Communities .......................................... 30 Destination of Respondents Likely to Move in Comparison with Other Communities ...... 30 More Than Three Months Per Year Spent Away From Residence .......................................3. 1 Age Distribution ......................................................................................................................3..1 Gender Distribution ...............................................................................................................3..1. Gender by Age .......................................................................................................................3..2. Median Age by Area ..............................................................................................................3..2.. Age by Area ..........................................................................................................................3.2.. . Marital Status of Adults by Age ...........................................................................................3..3. Marital Status in Comparison with Other Communities .......................................................3. 4 Marriage Type ...........................................................................................................................3. 4 Marriage Type by Age ...........................................................................................................3..5. Marriage Type by Area .............................................................................................................3.6 Marriage Type by Year of CurrentIMost Recent Marriage .....................................................3.6 Family Type by Area .............................................................................................................3..7.. . Proportion of Households with Minors and Seniors by Area ..............................................3..8 Distribution of Children by Family Type ...............................................................................3. 9 Secular Education of Adults by Age and Gender ...................................................................4. 0 Employment Status by Age and Gender ................................................................................4..2 Occupation and Industry by Age and Gender ......................................................................4..6 Household Income ................................................................................................................4..9.. Household Income ...................................................................................................................5. 0 Sources of Income ...................................................................................................................5. 0 Sources of Income ..................................................................................................................5..1 Median Income .....................................................................................................................5..1.. . Current Religion by Age ......................................................................................................5..4. . Jewish Denominational Identification ...................................................................................5.5 Jewish Denominational Identification ..................................................................................5..5 Importance of Being Jewish ..................................................................................................5..6 Importance of Obeying Jewish Law ......................................................................................5..7 Importance of Obeying Jewish Law .......................................................................................5. 7 Importance of Keeping Some Jewish Traditions ..................................................................5..8 Importance of Keeping Some Jewish Traditions ...................................................................5.8 Importance of Celebrating Jewish Holidays ..........................................................................5..9 Importance of Celebrating Jewish Holidays ...........................................................................5. 9 Table 5 5: Table 56: Table 57: Table 58: Table 59: Table 60: Table 61: Table 62: Table 63: Table 64: Table 65: Table 66: Table 67: Table 68: Table 69: Table 70: Table 7 1 : Table 72: Table 73: Table 74: Table 75: Table 76: Table 77: Table 78: Table 79: Table 80: Table 8 1 : Table 82: Table 83: Table 84: Table 85: Table 86: Table 87: Table 88: Table 89: Table 90: Table 9 1 : Table 92: Table 93: Importance of Attending Synagogue ......................................................................................6 0 Importance of Attending Synagogue ...................................................................................... 60 Importance of Celebrating Passover ........................................................................................6 1 Importance of Celebrating Passover ........................................................................................ 61 Importance of Giving Money to Jewish Organizations .......................................................... 61 Importance of Giving Money to Jewish Organizations ........................................................6..2 Importance of Giving Money to Non-Jewish Organizations .................................................. 62 Importance of Giving Money to Non-Jewish Organizations ................................................6..3 Importance of Working for Social Causes .............................................................................. 63 Importance of Working for Social Causes .............................................................................. 64 Lighting Candles on Friday Night ............................................................................................6 5 Lighting Candles on Friday Night ............................................................................................6 5 Lighting Candles on Friday Night in Comparison with Other Communities ...................... 66 Attending a Seder ......................................................................................................................6 6 Attending a Seder ......................................................................................................................6 7 Attendance at a Passover Seder in Comparison with Other Communities .........................6. 8 Using Separate Dishes for Meat and Dairy .........................................................................6..8. Using Separate Dishes for Meat and Dairy ............................................................................ 69 Lighting Chanukah Candles ...................................................................................................... 69 Lighting Chanukah Candles ...................................................................................................... 70 Lighting Chanukah Candles in Comparison with Other Communities ................................ 71 Having a Christmas Tree ..........................................................................................................7 1 Having a Christmas Tree .......................................................................................................... 72 Having a Christmas Tree in Comparison with Other Communities ...................................... 73 Celebrating a BarIBat Mitzvah by Age and Gender ................................................................ 73 Attending Jewish Religious Services ...................................................................................... 74 Attending Jewish Religious Services ...................................................................................... 75 Synagogue Attendance in Comparison with Other Communities ........................................ 76 Importance of Participating in Jewish Education .................................................................. 76 Proportion of Adults Who Have Ever Received Jewish Education by Age and Gender .... 77 Proportion of Adults Who Participated in Jewish Education in the Past Year by Age ......8 0 Importance of ChildrenIGrandchildren Receiving Jewish Education .................................. 80 Proportion of Children Who Participated in Jewish Education in the Past Year by Gender ........................................................................ 80 Proportion of Children Who Participated in Jewish Education in the Past Year by Age .. 81 Proportion of Children Who Have Received Jewish Education. But Not in Past Year ......8 1 Type of Schooling for Formal Jewish Education of Children ................................................ 81 Expectations of Enrolling Child(ren) in Formal Jewish Education ........................................ 81 Likelihood of Sending Child(ren) to Jewish Day School ........................................................ 82 Number of =mes Respondent Has Visited Israel .................................................................. 82 Table 94: Number of Times Respondent Has Visited Israel .................................................................. 82 Table 95: Caring For Israel as Important to Being Jewish .................................................................... 83 Table 96: Caring for Israel as Important to Being Jewish ...................................................................... 83 Table 97: Seeing Jewish Homeland as a Motive to Visit Israel .............................................................. 84 Table 98: Seeing Jewish Homeland as a Motive to Visit Israel .............................................................8.5 Table 99: Having a Pleasant Vacation as a Motive to Visit Israel ..........................................................8 6 Table 100: Having a Pleasant Vacation as a Motive to Visit Israel ..........................................................8 6 Table 101: Having a Jewish Organization Help Pay for the Trip as a Motive to Visit Israel ................8 7 Table 102: Having a Jewish Organization Pay for the Trip as a Motive to Visit Israel .......................... 88 Table 103: Sharing the Experience With Other Jews as a Motive to Visit Israel ..................................8..8 Table 104: Sharing the Experience With Other Jews as a Motive to Visit Israel ..................................8..9 Table 105: Number of Close Friends Who Are Jewish ............................................................................ 90 Table 106: Number of Close Friends Who Are Jewish ............................................................................ 91 Table 107: Perceptions of Antisemitism .................................................................................................... 92 Table 108: Perceptions of Antisemitism .................................................................................................... 93 Table 109: Organizational Affiliation ........................................................................................................9 5 Table 110: Current Synagogue Membership .............................................................................................. 95 Table 111 : Current Synagogue Membership ..............................................................................................9 6 Table 112: Current Synagogue Membership in Comparison with Other Communities ........................9 7 Table 113: Reasons to Belong to a Synagogue .......................................................................................... 97 Table 114: Reasons Not to Belong to a Synagogue. ...................................................................................9 7 Table 115: Synagogue Membership Prior to Living in Las Vegas ............................................................9 8 Table 116: Current or Past Synagogue Membership ................................................................................9 8 Table 117: Current or Past Synagogue Membership ................................................................................9 9 Table 118: Number of Jewish Organizational Memberships Other than Synagogues ............................9 9 Table 119: Number of Jewish Organizational Memberships Other than Synagogues .......................... 100 Table 120: Dues. Fees. and Tuition Paid to Jewish Organizations ........................................................ 101 Table 12 1: Dues. Fees. and Tuition Paid to Jewish Organizations ........................................................ 102 Table 122: Membership in Non-Jewish Organizations .......................................................................... 103 Table 123: Membership in Non-Jewish Organizations ..........................................................................1 03 Table 124: Volunteering in the Past Year ................................................................................................ 104 Table 125: Volunteering for Jewish Organizations in the Past Year ...................................................... 105 Table 126: Volunteering for Jewish Organizations in the Past Year ...................................................... 106 Table 127: Volunteering for Non-Jewish Organizations in the Past Year ............................................ 106 Table 128: Volunteering for Non-Jewish Organizations in the Past Year ............................................ 107 Table 129: Contributes to Jewish FederationIUJA .................................................................................. 109 Table 130: Contributes to Jewish FederationIUJA .................................................................................. 110 Table 13 1: Contributes to Jewish Philanthropy ...................................................................................... 110 Table 132: Contributes to Jewish Philanthropy ...................................................................................... 111 Table 133: Contributes to Jewish Philanthropy by Contributes to Jewish FederationIUJA ................ 112 Table 134: Contributions .....................................................................................................................1..1..2. Table 135: Contribution to Federation IUJA andlor Other Jewish Philanthropy in Comparison with Other Communities ...........................................................................1..1. 3 Table 136: Owning Israeli Bonds ............................................................................................................ 113 Table 137: Change in Amount of Contribution to Jewish Philanthropy .............................................. 113 Table 138: Change in Amount of Contribution to Jewish Philanthropy .............................................1. 14 Table 139: Major Reasons for Change in Amount of Contribution to Jewish Philanthropy by Change in Amount of Contribution to Jewish Philanthropy ...... 115 Table 140: Percent of Total Contribution that Goes to Jewish Charities .............................................. 115 Table 141: Likelihood of Contributing As a Result of Solicitation by Friend or Acquaintance .......... 116 Table 142: Likelihood of Contributing As a Result of Solicitation During an EventIActivity ............ 116 Table 143: Likelihood of Contributing As a Result of Solicitation by Letter .......................................1. 17 Table 144: Likelihood of Contributing After Viewing a Film on Organization's Programs ................ 117 Table 145: Likelihood of Contributing As a Result of TelethonIRadiothon .......................................1. 17 Table 146: Likelihood of Contributing As a Result of Solicitation by Phone .......................................1. 17 Table 147: Likelihood of Contributing As a Result of Print Advertisement ........................................1 17 Table 148: Degree of Agreement with the Statement "The Need for Funds for Jewish Programs and Services Locally is Greater Now than Five Years Ago" ..................1 18 Table 149: Degree of Agreement with the Statement "The Need for Funds for Jewish Programs and Services Locally is Greater Now than Five Years Ago" .................. 119 Table 150: Degree of Agreement with the Statement "The Need for Funds for Jewish Programs and Services in Israel is Greater Now than Five Years Ago" ................1 20 Table 15 1: Degree of Agreement with the Statement "The Need for Funds for Jewish Programs and Services in Israel is Greater Now than Five Years Ago" ................1 21 Table 15 2: Importance of Giving money to Jewish Organizations .......................................................1. 21 Table 153: Importance of Giving Money to Jewish Organizations by Contributes to FederationIUJA andlor Other Jewish Philanthropy ..........................................................1..2 2 Table 154: Importance of Organization Distributing Donations to Programs. Not Administration .. 122 Table 15 5: Importance of Organization Battling Antisemitism ...........................................................1. 22 Table 156: Importance of Organization Supporting Programs for Jewish Youth ...............................1. 22 Table 15 7: Importance of Understanding Organization's Programs .....................................................1. 23 Table 158: Importance of Organization Being Concerned About a Strong Jewish Community for Future Generations .......................................................... 123 Table 159: Importance of Organization Supporting Jewish Elderly .....................................................1. 23 Table 160: Importance of Organization Supporting the Rescue of Jews in Distress ............................1 23 Table 16 1: Importance of Organization Advancing Social Causes .......................................................1. 23 Table 162: Importance of Organization Appreciating Contribution. .....................................................1 24 Table 163: Importance of Organization Promoting God. Torah. Religious Observance ...................... 124 Table 164: Importance of Organization Supporting Israel ..................................................................1.2. 4 Table 165: Importance of Benefitting Directly from Organization's Programs .................................... 124 Table 166: Importance of Organization's Programs Bringing Jews Together Socially .......................1. 24 Table 167: Importance of Organization Supporting Jewish Communities Worldwide ........................1 25 Table 168: Importance of Family Having a Tradition of Contributing to Organization ......................1 25 Table 169: Importance of FriendsIAssociates Contributing to Organization .......................................1. 25 Table 170: Importance of Organization Distributing Donations to Programs. Not Administration .. 128 Table 17 1: Importance of Organization Battling Antisemitism ............................................................ 130 Table 172: Importance of Organization Supporting Programs for Jewish Youth ................................ 131 Table 173: Importance of Understanding an Organization's Program .................................................. 132 Table 174: Importance of Organization Being Concerned About a Strong Jewish Community for Future Generations .........................................................1.3 4 Table 175: Importance of Organization Supporting Jewish Elderly ....................................................1..3 5 Table 176: Importance of Organization Supporting the Rescue of Jews in Distress ............................ 136 Table 177: Importance of Organization Advancing Social Causes .................................:.. .................... 137 Table 178: Importance of Organization Appreciating Contribution ....................................................1..3 9 Table 179: Importance of Organization Promoting God. Torah. Religious Observance ......................1 40 Table 180: Importance of Organization Supporting Israel .................................................................... 141 Table 18 1: Importance of Benefitting directly from Organization's Programs ...................................1. 42 Table 182: Importance of Organization's Programs Bringing Jewish Together Socially ......................1 44 Table 183: Importance of Organization Supporting Jewish Communities Worldwide ........................ 145 Table 184: Importance of Family Having a Tradition of Contributing to Organization ......................1 46 Table 185: Importance of FriendsIAssociates Contributing to Organization .......................................1. 47 Table 186: Contributed to FederatiodUJA in 1994 ...............................................................................1. 48 Table 187: Amount Contributed to FederationIUJA in 1994 ..............................................................1..4 8 Table 188: Contributed to Jewish Organizations in 1994 .....................................................................1. 48 Table 189: Amount Contributed to Jewish Organizations in 1994 ........................................................1 48 Table 190: Respondent Who Has Contributed $500 or Less to FederatiodUJA in Past Year Has Contributed $1.0 00 or More in the Past ......................................................................1..4 9 Table 191: Respondent Who Has Contributed $500 or Less to Jewish Philanthropy in Past Year Has Contributed $1.0 00 or More in the Past ......................................................1..4 9 Table 192: Respondent Would Consider Provision for Jewish Philanthropylcharity in Will ............ 149 Table 193: Preference for Jewish Agency for Nursing Home Care ......................................................1..5 1 Table 194: Preference to Use a Jewish Agency for Nursing Home Care ............................................1..5 2 Table 195: Preference for Jewish Agency for Day Care Provider ........................................................1..5 3 Table 196: Preference to Use a Jewish Agency for Day Care Provider ......................