Demographic Characteristics

Among the most notable features of the sample are the following (see Appendix A for a complete frequency distribution).

First, they range in age from 18 to 83, with the oldest respondent having been born in 1930.  As Table 1 shows, the ages are widely distributed as follows:

Table 1.  Age Groupings

Age Groups
Percent
75-83
6
65-74
10
50-64
30
40-49
15
30-39
20
18-29
19
Total
100

SOURCE: Habonim Dror Survey, 2013.

As for gender distribution, over half (57%) are women, consistent with the general finding that girls and women are more active in religious life in general and Jewish life in particular. These respondents display a distribution of marital status generally compatible with that seen among adult Jews their age in Jewish population studies (see Table 2).

Table 2.  Marital Status

Marital Status
Percent
Married
59
Living with Partner
8
Single-never married
24
Divorced
6
Separated
1
Widowed
2
Total
100
SOURCE: Habonim Dror Survey, 2013.

Thus, about 59% of the individuals are married (comparable to many Jewish community studies).  In part as a result of their youthful character (39% are under 40), the number living with a partner (8%) is somewhat higher than we typically find in general Jewish population studies.  And, consistent with the relatively small number age 65 and over (16%) hardly any (2%) are widowed.  Just over 3-in-5 (60%) have had children.

While American Jews are highly educated, this sample of Habonim Dror alumni displays a high degree of educational attainment (see Table 3).

Table 3.  Highest Level of Education Achieved

Education
Percent
High school or less
2
Some college
10
B.A. or B.S. or other undergraduate degree
30
MSW
4
MBA
3
Law degree
6
Other professional post-graduate degree
8
Other M.A. or equivalent
22
Doctor or Doctorate (M.D., Ed.D., Ph.D., etc.)
14
Total
100
SOURCE: Habonim Dror Survey, 2013.

Fully 88% have earned a college degree; most (58%) have earned a post-graduate degree, and as many as 14% are entitled to place the honorific of “doctor” before their names.