JEWISH ATTITUDES OF THE 1979 GRADUATES OF SUFFOLK CONSERVATIVE AFTERNOON SCHOOLS

Abstract

This study concerned itself with the attitudes, beliefs and observances of the students in the June 1979 graduating classes of 14 Conservative afternoon religious schools in Suffolk County.;A questionnaire was filled out by 380 respondents, which included the following categories of statements: (1) Statements concerning students attitudes to various holidays, observances and religious concepts. (2) Statements concerning religious observances in the home and parent synagogue attendance. (3) Statements concerning parent secular and religious education, and father's occupation.;The results of this study disclosed the following: (1) The girls in the study were more strongly identified Jewishly than the boys. (2) The father's Jewish education had a greater positive impact on student's Jewish attitudes and beliefs than mother's Jewish education. (3) That Jewish home was a strong influence on students' Jewish attitudes and beliefs. (4) That some schools in the study reflected a positive effect on students' Jewish attitudes and beliefs irrespective of home influence.