Illuminating the Path to Vibrant American Jewish Communities Linking Data to Policy

This book argues that the way to ensure that American Jewish life flourishes is to create vibrant local communities and that the ability to thrive will be won or lost in the trenches of each locality. For every generalization about the Jews of America, one can say, “maybe, but it depends where.” In the United States, Jewish life is up close and personal where local variations on national themes make a huge difference.

The author presents case studies using in-depth analysis of data from nine Jewish community studies to illuminate eleven critical American Jewish policy issues. The analysis is used to formulate a range of policy options for different types of communities.

This book is for anyone who cares about the future of American Jewry. It should be of particular interest to the lay leaders and professionals who play a role in Jewish nonprofits. It is also of great interest to researchers and students of Jewish studies and Jewish communal service.

Jacob B. (“Jack”) Ukeles directed or co-directed twenty studies of American Jewish communities and more than 150 other planning, policy research, and management projects while serving as president of Ukeles Associates, Inc. 1986 - 2018. Over an eight-year period, he also served as the principal advisor to the CEO of JDC, an international relief organization.  In the 1980s, he was a senior executive at New York Jewish Federation. He taught urban planning at the University of Pennsylvania, policy analysis/management at Columbia University, and was the first Chair of Urban Affairs and Policy Analysis at the New School for Social Research. He has a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and was a Fulbright scholar in India.