EXPLAINING JEWISH LIBERALISM IN THE UNITED-STATES - AN EXPLORATION OFSOCIOECONOMIC, RELIGIOUS, AND COMMUNAL LIVING VARIABLES

Objective. The purpose of this article is to explore three competing e xplanations of Jewish liberalism: the socioeconomic, the religious, an d the communal living hypotheses. Methods. Data are drawn from the 199 0 National Jewish Population Survey and the method of analysis is line ar structural relations (LISREL). Results. In general, the religious a nd communal living variables are more powerful predictors than the soc ioeconomic in explaining liberalism, suggesting that it is these facto rs and not success in the U.S. system which explains Jewish liberalism . In contrast to previous findings for Christians, religious involveme nt is associated with higher levels of liberalism. Further, Jewish ide ntity as measured by a communal living latent variable (primarily a me asure of ethnic identification) has a direct negative effect on libera lism but influences it positively through its relationship with religi ous practice. Conclusions. Among the implications is that the U.S. Jew ish community may be torn between maintaining a sense of self-identity , exclusivity, and ethnic pride and a religion which encourages tolera nce, obligation to society, and generosity. Knowledge of this duality is essential in any attempt to understand Jewish liberalism.