Jewish Demography – Current and Expected Trends and Policy Implications

The Project on Jewish Demography assesses the main trends that continuously transform population size and composition in Israel and among World Jewry. Understanding the current situation of the Jewish people and its implications for the future provides premises for developing systematic policy suggestions aimed at sustaining Jewish population size and composition. Alternative projections of the expected growth or decline of Jewish populations allow assessing the determinants and consequences of demographic trends in Israel and in the Diaspora, and provide cognitive tools toward possible policy interventions.

The project focuses on emerging demographic trends, geographic distribution, international migration to Israel and other countries, socio-economic characteristics, marriage and fertility patterns, ageing, and the demographic implications of different rules for inclusion in the Jewish collective. Also being studied are the implications of different territorial scenarios and boundaries in Israel as a factor affecting the share of Jews out of the total population in the area. Current research focuses on the background and prospects of family growth in Israeli society and on recommendations on how to sustain and facilitate the persistent demand for children among young Jewish adults. Attention is being paid also to evaluate and improve Jewish outreach initiatives in the United States. First suggestions were discussed in 2005 and 2006 with main decision makers, including Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.