1.3 Global Jewish Demographics and Distribution

Jewish demographics and distribution are complex and ever-changing. The largest Jewish populations are in the US and Israel, with significant communities in Europe, Canada, and Latin America. Historical events, economic opportunities, and political upheavals have shaped Jewish migration patterns worldwide.

Jewish communities face challenges like assimilation, security concerns, and aging populations. However, there are also opportunities for growth and diversity. Efforts to strengthen Jewish identity, combat anti-Semitism, and support diverse communities aim to ensure the continuity of Jewish life globally.

Jewish Population Centers Around the World

Major Jewish Communities in the United States

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• The United States has the largest Jewish population in the world, estimated at around 7 million as of 2020
  • Major centers include the New York metropolitan area, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago
  • The New York metropolitan area alone is home to over 2 million Jews, making it the largest Jewish population center outside of Israel
  • Los Angeles has the second-largest Jewish community in the U.S., with around 600,000 Jews
  • Miami and Chicago each have Jewish populations of over 300,000
• The American Jewish community has grown and diversified over time
  • Sephardic Jews were among the earliest Jewish settlers in the U.S., arriving in the colonial era
  • Large-scale Ashkenazi Jewish immigration from Central and Eastern Europe occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, driven by economic opportunities and escape from persecution
  • More recent Jewish immigration to the U.S. has included Mizrahi Jews from the Middle East and North Africa, Iranian Jews, and Soviet Jews

Israel: The World's Second-Largest Jewish Community

• Israel has the second-largest Jewish population at around 6.8 million, with over 70% of the population identifying as Jewish
  • Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are the two largest Jewish population centers in Israel
  • Tel Aviv, known as "the city that never sleeps," is home to a diverse and vibrant Jewish community, with a population of over 400,000 Jews
  • Jerusalem, Israel's capital and a holy city for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, has a Jewish population of over 500,000
• The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and the Law of Return have attracted Jewish immigrants from around the world
  • The Law of Return grants automatic citizenship to Jews who immigrate to Israel, as well as their non-Jewish family members
  • Significant waves of Jewish immigration to Israel have included Mizrahi Jews from Arab countries in the 1950s and 1960s, Ethiopian Jews in the 1980s and 1990s, and Soviet Jews in the 1990s

Notable Jewish Communities in Europe, Canada, and Latin America

• France has the third-largest Jewish population at around 450,000, with Paris being home to the majority
  • The French Jewish community dates back to the Middle Ages, with a history marked by periods of prosperity and persecution
  • The Marais district in Paris has long been a center of Jewish life, known for its historic synagogues, Jewish shops, and cultural institutions
• Canada has a Jewish population of around 400,000, with major centers in Toronto and Montreal
  • The Canadian Jewish community grew significantly in the early-to-mid 20th century, with many Jews immigrating from Europe
  • Toronto's Jewish community is the largest in Canada, with over 200,000 Jews, and is known for its diverse synagogues, Jewish schools, and cultural organizations
• The United Kingdom has a Jewish population of around 300,000, largely concentrated in London
  • The British Jewish community has roots dating back to the 11th century, with a history that includes periods of expulsion and readmission
  • London's Jewish community is diverse, with Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and Mizrahi Jews, and is home to numerous synagogues, Jewish schools, and cultural institutions
• Argentina has the largest Jewish population in Latin America at around 180,000, primarily in Buenos Aires
  • Jewish immigration to Argentina peaked in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with many Jews arriving from Eastern Europe and the Ottoman Empire
  • Buenos Aires is home to a vibrant Jewish community, with numerous synagogues, Jewish schools, and cultural organizations, as well as a historic Jewish quarter in the Once neighborhood

Smaller but Significant Jewish Communities Worldwide

• Other major Jewish population centers include Russia, Germany, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, and Ukraine, each with over 100,000 Jewish residents
  • Russia's Jewish population, estimated at around 200,000, is primarily concentrated in Moscow and St. Petersburg
  • Germany's Jewish community, which numbers around 200,000, has grown in recent decades due to immigration from the former Soviet Union
  • Australia's Jewish community, estimated at 120,000, is primarily located in Melbourne and Sydney
  • Brazil's Jewish population, around 120,000, is largely concentrated in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro
  • South Africa's Jewish community, which numbers around 70,000, is primarily located in Johannesburg and Cape Town
  • Ukraine's Jewish population, estimated at 50,000, is a fraction of its pre-World War II size but still significant, with communities in Kyiv, Dnipro, and Odesa

Factors Influencing Jewish Migration

Religious Persecution and Anti-Semitism

• Religious persecution and anti-Semitism have been major drivers of Jewish migration throughout history
  • The Spanish Inquisition in the 15th century led to the expulsion of Jews from Spain and Portugal, with many settling in North Africa, the Ottoman Empire, and the Netherlands
  • Pogroms in Eastern Europe, particularly in the Russian Empire in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, prompted mass Jewish emigration to the United States, Canada, and other countries
  • The Holocaust during World War II resulted in the murder of 6 million Jews and the displacement of countless others, with survivors seeking refuge in Israel, the United States, and other countries
• Anti-Semitism continues to be a factor in Jewish migration today
  • Rising anti-Semitism in some European countries, such as France and the United Kingdom, has led some Jews to consider emigration to Israel or other countries
  • The 2015 terror attacks on a Jewish supermarket in Paris and the 2018 shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, among other incidents, have heightened concerns about Jewish safety and security

Economic Opportunities and Quality of Life

• Economic opportunities and the search for better living conditions have motivated Jewish migration throughout history
  • The wave of Jewish immigrants to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was driven in part by the promise of economic opportunity and escape from poverty in Eastern Europe
  • Jewish migration from Arab countries to Israel in the 1950s and 1960s was influenced by a desire for better economic prospects and escape from discrimination
  • The migration of Soviet Jews to Israel and the United States in the 1970s and 1990s was motivated by both economic factors and the desire for religious freedom
• Quality of life considerations, such as access to education, healthcare, and social services, also influence Jewish migration decisions
  • The high standard of living and strong social safety net in countries like Canada and Australia have made them attractive destinations for Jewish immigrants
  • The quality of Jewish education and communal institutions in cities like New York, London, and Toronto has drawn Jewish families seeking to provide their children with a strong Jewish upbringing

Political Events and Upheavals

• Political events and upheavals have led to significant Jewish population shifts throughout history
  • The collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s led to a massive wave of Jewish emigration, with over 1 million Soviet Jews immigrating to Israel and hundreds of thousands more to the United States and Germany
  • The Arab-Israeli conflicts, particularly the 1948 War of Independence and the 1967 Six-Day War, resulted in the displacement of Jewish communities from Arab countries and their resettlement in Israel and elsewhere
  • The Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979 led to the emigration of the majority of the country's Jewish population, with many settling in the United States and Israel
• Political instability, violence, and the rise of extremist movements continue to drive Jewish migration in some regions
  • The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine has led some Ukrainian Jews to emigrate to Israel and other countries
  • The economic and political crisis in Venezuela has prompted a significant portion of the country's Jewish community to leave, with many settling in Israel, the United States, and other Latin American countries

Family Ties and Established Communities

• Family ties and the desire to join established Jewish communities have influenced migration patterns
  • New Jewish immigrants often settle in cities or neighborhoods where they have family members or connections to the local Jewish community
  • The presence of strong Jewish institutions, such as synagogues, schools, and community centers, can be a draw for Jewish families seeking to maintain their cultural and religious identity
  • Family reunification policies in countries like the United States and Canada have allowed Jewish immigrants to sponsor relatives to join them, contributing to the growth of local Jewish communities
• The role of Jewish communal organizations in facilitating migration and resettlement
  • Jewish organizations like HIAS (formerly the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) have played a key role in assisting Jewish refugees and immigrants, providing legal assistance, language training, and social services
  • The Jewish Agency for Israel, a quasi-governmental organization, facilitates Jewish immigration to Israel and provides support for new immigrants in areas such as housing, education, and employment
  • Local Jewish federations and community centers in cities around the world often offer resources and programs to help new Jewish immigrants integrate into the community

Government Policies and Restrictions

• Government policies, such as immigration quotas and restrictions, have at times limited Jewish migration to certain countries
  • The United States imposed strict immigration quotas in the 1920s that severely limited Jewish immigration from Eastern Europe, even as Nazi persecution of Jews intensified in the 1930s
  • The British government's White Paper of 1939 restricted Jewish immigration to Palestine, then under British control, at a time when Jews were seeking to flee Nazi-occupied Europe
  • The Soviet Union's policies restricting Jewish emigration in the 1970s and 1980s led to the refusenik movement, in which Soviet Jews seeking to emigrate faced harassment, dismissal from jobs, and even arrest
• Government policies have also at times facilitated Jewish migration and resettlement
  • The United States Refugee Act of 1980 provided a legal framework for the admission of refugees, including Jews fleeing the Soviet Union and other countries
  • Germany's decision to admit Soviet Jewish refugees in the 1990s, granting them automatic citizenship, led to the growth of Germany's Jewish community and the revival of Jewish life in cities like Berlin and Munich
  • Israel's Law of Return, which grants automatic citizenship to Jews and their descendants, has facilitated the immigration of millions of Jews from around the world since the country's establishment in 1948

Demographic Challenges and Opportunities for Jewish Communities

Assimilation and Intermarriage

• Assimilation and intermarriage pose challenges to Jewish identity and continuity in many Western countries
  • In the United States, the intermarriage rate for Jews is estimated at around 50%, with higher rates among the non-Orthodox population
  • Intermarriage can lead to a dilution of Jewish identity and a reduction in the transmission of Jewish traditions and values to the next generation
  • Assimilation, or the adoption of the majority culture's customs and values, can lead to a weakening of Jewish identity and a reduction in Jewish communal involvement
• Efforts to address assimilation and intermarriage within Jewish communities
  • Jewish organizations have developed outreach programs to engage interfaith couples and families, such as the Union for Reform Judaism's Introduction to Judaism courses and the Jewish Outreach Institute's Big Tent Judaism initiative
  • Some Jewish communities have embraced a more inclusive approach to intermarried families, welcoming non-Jewish spouses and children and providing opportunities for them to learn about and participate in Jewish life
  • Increased investment in Jewish education, such as day schools and summer camps, aims to strengthen Jewish identity and commitment among young people

Security Concerns and Anti-Semitism

• Anti-Semitism and security concerns remain significant issues for Jewish communities worldwide
  • Incidents of anti-Semitic violence, such as the 2019 attack on a synagogue in Halle, Germany, and the 2020 attack on a rabbi's home in Monsey, New York, have heightened fears among Jewish communities
  • Jewish institutions, such as synagogues and community centers, have had to invest in increased security measures, such as armed guards, surveillance cameras, and bullet-resistant doors and windows
  • The rise of online anti-Semitism, particularly on social media platforms, has contributed to a sense of vulnerability and isolation among some Jews
• Efforts to combat anti-Semitism and ensure Jewish security
  • Jewish organizations, such as the Anti-Defamation League and the European Jewish Congress, work to monitor and combat anti-Semitism through education, advocacy, and legal action
  • Governments in some countries, such as France and Germany, have taken steps to protect Jewish institutions and prosecute perpetrators of anti-Semitic crimes
  • Interfaith partnerships and solidarity movements, such as the Muslim-Jewish Advisory Council in the United States, aim to build understanding and combat hate and bigotry

Aging Populations and Low Birth Rates

• Aging populations and low birth rates in some Jewish communities, particularly in Europe, raise concerns about long-term demographic sustainability
  • Many European Jewish communities have seen their numbers decline in recent decades due to emigration, assimilation, and low birth rates
  • The median age of Jews in some European countries, such as Italy and Germany, is over 50, indicating an aging population with fewer young people to sustain Jewish communal life
  • Low birth rates among some Jewish populations, particularly the non-Orthodox, have led to concerns about the long-term viability of Jewish communities in some areas
• Efforts to address demographic challenges in Jewish communities
  • Some Jewish organizations have focused on providing support for young families, such as subsidized Jewish preschools and family programming, to encourage Jewish childbearing and early childhood engagement
  • Initiatives to engage and retain young adults in Jewish life, such as Moishe House and Birthright Israel, aim to strengthen Jewish identity and commitment among the next generation
  • Efforts to promote Jewish immigration, particularly to Israel, aim to bolster Jewish population numbers and ensure the continuity of Jewish communities in the diaspora

Growth and Diversity in Israel and Beyond

• The growth of the Israeli Jewish population, driven by high birth rates and immigration, presents opportunities for strengthening Jewish identity and culture
  • Israel's Jewish population has grown from around 600,000 at the country's founding in 1948 to over 6.8 million today, and is projected to continue growing in the coming decades
  • The high birth rate among Israel's Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) population, which has an average of 7 children per woman, has contributed to the country's Jewish population growth
  • Israel's Jewish population is diverse, with significant Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and Mizrahi populations, as well as Ethiopian and Russian-speaking Jewish communities
• The increasing diversity of Jewish communities worldwide enriches Jewish cultural life but may also create challenges for community cohesion
  • The growth of Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewish populations in countries like France, Canada, and the United States has brought new cultural traditions and perspectives to Jewish communal life
  • The Ethiopian Jewish community in Israel, which has grown to over 150,000 people, has faced challenges in integrating into Israeli society and maintaining its unique cultural heritage
  • Russian-speaking Jewish communities in Israel, Germany, and the United States have developed their own cultural institutions and programs, but may face barriers to integration with the wider Jewish community
• Efforts to celebrate and support Jewish diversity
  • Jewish organizations, such as the American Sephardi Federation and the Mizrahi Democratic Rainbow Coalition in Israel, work to promote and preserve Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewish culture and advocate for the interests of these communities
  • The Israeli government and Jewish organizations have developed programs to support the integration and success of Ethiopian Jews in Israel, such as the Ethiopian National Project, which provides educational and social support to Ethiopian-Israeli youth
  • Jewish cultural festivals, such as the New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival and the Los Angeles Sephardic Jewish Film Festival, showcase the diversity of Jewish culture and creativity from around the world

Economic Disparities and Access to Resources

• Economic disparities within and between Jewish communities can affect access to education, social services, and communal resources
  • In the United States, Jewish poverty rates vary significantly by region and denomination, with higher rates among the Haredi population and in some urban areas
  • In Israel, economic inequality and the high cost of living have led to concerns about the affordability of Jewish education and the sustainability of Jewish communal institutions
  • In some Latin American countries, such as Argentina and Venezuela, economic crises have strained Jewish communal resources and led to increased emigration
• Efforts to address economic challenges in Jewish communities
  • Jewish organizations, such as the Met Council on Jewish Poverty in New York and the Jaffa Institute in Israel, provide direct assistance and support services to low-income Jewish families and individuals
  • Initiatives to make Jewish education more affordable and accessible, such as community-funded Jewish day school scholarships and online learning programs, aim to ensure that all Jewish children have access to a quality Jewish education
  • Jewish free loan societies, which provide interest-free loans to individuals and families in need, have been established in many Jewish communities to help alleviate economic hardship and promote financial stability

Technology and Connectivity in Jewish Life

• The rise of digital technologies and social media presents opportunities for connecting Jewish communities globally
  • Online platforms, such as Facebook groups and virtual Jewish learning programs, have enabled Jews from around the world to connect, share resources, and engage in Jewish life remotely
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies in Jewish life, with synagogues, schools, and community centers offering virtual services, classes, and events
  • Social media has provided a platform for Jewish activists, artists, and thought leaders to share their perspectives and engage with a global Jewish audience
• The challenges posed by technology and social media for Jewish communities
  • The spread of misinformation and hate speech on social media platforms can contribute to the normalization of anti-Semitism and the polarization of Jewish communities
  • The ease of access to information online can lead to a flattening of Jewish knowledge and authority, with individuals relying on unvetted sources and opinions rather than traditional Jewish texts and scholars
  • The increasing reliance on digital technologies in Jewish life may lea