Religiosity & Ethnicity: Jewish Identity Trends in the U.S.

Cohen, S.M. 2001. “Religiosity and ethnicity: Jewish identity trends in the United States”, in Who owns Judaism? Public religion and private Faith in America and Israel, vol. XVII, ed. E. Lederhendler, pp. 101-130. Oxford University Press.

Cohen identifies 6 dimensions of Jewish ethnicity:

1. A sense of peoplehood as expressed through feelings of common destiny with other Jews.
2. Tribalism, or a sense of special responsibility for taking care of other Jews in need.
3. Marginality, or a sense of feeling apart from other Americans.
4. Attachment to Israel.
5. Attachment to Jewish institutions other than the synagogue.
6. Opposition to intermarriage.