Volunteerism in the Jewish Community: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This comparative cohort study examined the influence of seven demographic factors on the volunteer behaviors of two age cohorts, the Emerging Young Jewish Adult (EYJA) group (aged 18-34 years old; N=445) and the Baby Boomer (BB) group (aged 50-64 years; N=2051) as they related to Overall Volunteerism (Jewish and Non-Jewish), Jewish Volunteerism, and Non-Jewish Volunteerism (dependent variables).;Diminishing rates of volunteerism have been noted over the past decade causing concern amongst the organized Jewish community that has depended on the work of volunteers to support and sustain the functioning of mission-driven Jewish institutions and organizations.;Data was collected from six Jewish community studies: Denver, Atlanta, Tucson, San Antonio, Philadelphia, and Middlesex Counties, each representing diversity in their geographic location and Jewish population and each having had a community study completed after the 2000-2001 National Jewish Population Study. A series of Pearson's chi-squares was performed for each age cohort for each of the seven demographic factors.