Chosen for What? Jewish Values in 2012: Findings from the 2012 Jewish Values Survey

By Robert P. Jones

Where do American Jews stand on the political, ideological, and ethical issues facing the nation today? Public Religion Research Institute's 2012 Jewish Values Survey analyzes the American Jewish experience, focusing on Jewish identity in public life, Jewish views on inequality and the economy, and the Jewish vote in the 2012 election.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert P. Jones
• Release date: Jun 29, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476498775

Robert P. Jones

Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to research at the intersection of religion, values, and public life. PRRI’s mission is to help journalists, opinion leaders, scholars, clergy, and the general public better understand debates on public policy issues and the role of religion and values in American public life by conducting high quality public opinion surveys and qualitative research. As members of the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR), the American Political Science Association (APSA), and the American Academy of Religion (AAR), our research team follows the highest research standards of independence and academic excellence. PRRI is a member organization of the National Council on Public Polls, an association of polling organizations established in 1969, which sets the highest professional standards for public opinion researchers. PRRI is also a supporting organization of the Transparency Initiative at AAPOR, an initiative to place the value of openness at the center of the public opinion research profession. As a research organization, PRRI does not take positions on, nor do we advocate for, particular policies. Research supported by its funders reflects PRRI’s commitment to independent inquiry and academic rigor. Research findings and conclusions are never altered to accommodate other interests, including those of funders, other organizations, or government bodies and officials.

Book preview

Chosen for What? Jewish Values in 2012

Findings from the 2012 Jewish Values Survey

Analysis by Robert P. Jones, Ph.D. and Daniel Cox

Copyright 2012 Public Religion Research Institute, Inc.

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Acknowledgements

Public Religion Research Institute is deeply grateful to the Nathan Cummings Foundation for their generous support of the 2012 Jewish Values Survey. The authors would like to thank Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux and Samantha Holquist for their substantial editorial and research assistance, Michela Corcorran, who provided copyediting and meticulous proofreading of the final document and Camden Richards who served as a graphics design consultant for the report.

copyright Public Religion Research Institute, Inc.

Robert P. Jones, Ph.D., CEO

2027 Massachusetts Ave NW, 3rd Floor

Washington, DC 20036

http://www.publicreligion.org/

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Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Jewish Values, Experience, and Identity in Public Life and Politics

Jewish Voters and the 2012 Election

The Economy and Inequality

Jews and Other Religious and Ethnic Minorities

Foreign Policy and Israel

Other Issues

Religious Beliefs and Practices

Appendix 1: Survey Methodology

Appendix 2: Comparisons to the General Public and Religious Groups

About Public Religion Research Institute

Executive Summary

The following are the main findings of the 2012 Jewish Values Survey. For comparisons between the views of Jewish Americans and Americans overall, please see Appendix 2.

The Influence of Jewish Values and Political Activity. At least 8-in-10 American Jews say that pursuing justice (84%) and caring for the widow and the orphan (80%) are somewhat or very important values that inform their political beliefs and activity.

More than 7-in-10 also say that tikkun olam, healing the world (72%), and welcoming the stranger (72%) are somewhat or very important values.

A majority (55%) say that seeing every person as made in the image of God is somewhat or very important in informing their political beliefs and activity.

The Influence of Jewish Experiences and Political Activity. More than 8-in-10 Jews say that the experiences of the Holocaust (87%) and having opportunities for economic success in America (85%) are somewhat or very important for informing their political beliefs and activity. Seven-in-ten (70%) Jews cite the immigrant experience in America, and approximately two-thirds (66%) say that being a religious minority in America has a somewhat or very important influence on their political beliefs and activity.

Core Qualities of Jewish Identity. When asked which qualities are most important to their Jewish identity, nearly half (46%) of American Jews cite a commitment to social equality, twice as many as cite support for Israel (20%) or religious observance (17%). Fewer than 1-in-10 say that a sense of cultural heritage and tradition (6%) or a general set of values (3%) are most important to their Jewish identity.

Issue Priorities for the 2012 Election. The most important issue for Jewish registered voters ahead of the 2012 election is the economy, with 51% reporting