There were two general purposes for this survey, which were defined by the Community Study Advisory Committee. One purpose was to provide actionable information about the service needs of the community, to help our Jewish agencies, synagogues, and organizations provide appropriate services and plan for the future. The last survey conducted by Federation was done in 1986; this latest survey continues Federation’s critical community planning role.

The second purpose was to provide as many actionable clues as possible about the continuity needs of the community. At the first committee meeting, the question “What can be done that will better insure a strong and vital Jewish community for our children and grandchildren?”was asked. It was felt that answers to this challenging question would inform our institutions, the community as a whole, and planners as they consider the allocation of resources. Accordingly, the official “mission statement”of the study included a strong emphasis on the discovery of information about viable connections to the community and how they might be strengthened.

The committee understood the limitations of the survey, especially with regard to ascertaining continuity needs. It also was understood that such a survey would be unlikely to come up with “magic bullets” that no one had ever thought of before. However, the committee did hope to find clues about how institutions and overall planners might better deal with and further relationships between residents and communal organizations.

The committee selected Bruce Phillips, Ph.D., to devise and conduct a survey that provided the basic background information needed by institutions to plan their future services. He applied the dynamic term “pathways”to and within the various “formal and non-formal”connections, with some measured description of their multiplicity and relationships. By these means, he was able to present clues, as well as data for further exploration, that can be used to build an ever-stronger Jewish community for our children and grandchildren.

I wish to convey my personal thanks to the members of the Community Study Advisory Committee who guided this project to successful completion. Additionally, thanks to agency directors and rabbis, Federation staff and lay leadership, and to community members who offered their input through interviews and focus groups during the development stages of the project. Finally, thank you to members of our community who responded to the telephone survey and provided us with the vital information contained in this summary report.

SUSAN FOLKMAN, PH.D.
Chair