The Pew Research Center’s recent study of Jews in America, released October 1, 2013, has raised some interesting questions for Jewish organizations around the country.

How? Well, it seems that while 6.7 million Americans consider themselves to be Jewish — up from 5.2 million in 2003 — 22 percent of Jews describe themselves as having no religion.

How can that be? Apparently this trend has been observed for some time. Quoting from the summary:

The percentage of U.S. adults who say they are Jewish when asked about their religion…is a little less than 2%. Meanwhile, the number of Americans with direct Jewish ancestry or upbringing who consider themselves Jewish, yet describe themselves as atheist, agnostic or having no particular religion, appears to be rising and is now about 0.5% of the U.S. adult population.

The results of the study started me thinking about all the ways to “be” Jewish. How do people express their Judaism? Through support for the Jewish Federation or other Jewish community organizations? Synagogue membership and participation? Torah study? Social activism? By supporting Israel, hosting elaborate seders, or sending children to Jewish camp? 

In Greater MetroWest, the Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) is proud to support the Jewish people through strategic efforts to strengthen Jewish community, connection, and continuity through the MetroWest Tomorrow Campaign, Lester and LOJE endowments, and innovative programs for Jewish camp, day schools and more. We partner with religious institutions, Federation beneficiary agencies, and, of course, our fund holders, to support organizations across the spectrum of Jewish life in Greater Metrowest, Israel, and around the world.

We’d love to hear what you think about this new look at American Jews, being Jewish in Greater MetroWest, or how JCF fits into your Judaism, however you define it. Let me know at jrednik@jfedgmw.org, or send a message via our Facebook page — JCF Greater MetroWest NJ.

A link to the Pew study is available here.

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Originally posted October 16, 2013