HEADLINES | 8
SPECIAL SECTION | 16
TEAM ISRAEL
HOME DESIGN & REAL ESTATE
Team Israel prepares for Olympics
Forum for decorating ideas
MAY 21, 2021 | SIVAN 10, 5781 | VOLUME 73, NUMBER 19
Pew survey of American Jews spots new trends; aligns with Maricopa survey on Judaism ‘essentials’ NICOLE RAZ | STAFF WRITER
$1.50
Local synagogues, Jewish groups address continued fighting in Israel and Gaza NICOLE RAZ | STAFF WRITER
J
ewish groups from across the religious and political spectrum in the United States and Israel are voicing concerns about the ongoing conflict in Israel and the Gaza Strip. Synagogues and organizations in Greater Phoenix followed their lead in addressing the situation with statements offering support for Israel, prayers for peace and hopes for a cease-fire and peaceful resolution soon. The Union for Reform Judaism stated that it is “deeply concerned and pained by the spiraling violence
happening over the last several days in Jerusalem and beyond. At this challenging moment we want to emphasize that attacks perpetuating the cycle of violence delay peace and increase bloodshed.” Although they “particularly condemn Hamas’ indiscriminate rocket attacks that once again are sowing fear and destruction,” they also “urge Israel to protect the freedom of worship of Muslims in the holy month of Ramadan and to use all possible restraint.” SEE ISRAEL, PAGE 3
I
n its first survey of the American Jewish community since 2013, the Pew Research Center found a host of similarities with the 2019 Maricopa County Jewish Community Survey conducted by Arizona State University. Kenneth Goldstein, a visiting professor who led the study for ASU, recently opined in a webinar for Jewish News that Maricopa County’s Jews are “probably not that different if we looked at Jews across the country,” because this is a large metropolitan area and many residents are transplants. In many ways Goldstein was right. Several of Pew’s findings matched the local study. However, the national survey, released May 11, also identified broader trends about religious affiliation by age group, political rifts and racial and ethnic diversity, which ASU’s study did not fully investigate. “There are signs of potential change we are picking up on,” Becka Alper, one of Pew’s lead researchers, said in a call with the media. Some of these are generational distinctions. Pew found that, compared with an older generation, many Jews under 30 are either Orthodox or don’t identify as religious at all. While 17% of American Jews 18-29 years old say they are Orthodox, 41% describe themselves as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular,” but still identify as Jewish for ethnic, cultural or family reasons. “If you are familiar with the American-Jewish community, you’ve SEE PEW, PAGE 2
Damage to homes in the southern coastal Israeli city of Ashkelon, which were hit by rockets fired by Hamas in Gaza, May 12, 2021. PHOTO BY EDI ISRAEL/FLASH90 VIA JNS.ORG
The artistic side of prayer Linda Mandel Cucher stands with her in-progress painting of a man praying at the Western Wall. To read more, go to p. 18. PHOTO COURTESY LINDA CUCHER
KEEP YOUR EYE ON jewishaz.com
NATIONAL
Biden urges ceasefire, reiterates support for Israel’s right to self-defense
INTERNATIONAL
Thousands of students connect for projects, films, quiz on ORT Day 2021
ISRAEL
IDF returns fire following rockets from Lebanon; Gaza fighting slows