People of Jewish Heritage

This chapter focuses on the needs of religiously observant individuals and their families, or Orthodox Jews, but also provides an overview of widely shared forms of Jewish heritage. Distinct Jewish communities practice the religion along a wide continuum in the observance of Jewish law, or halakhah. There are three main branches of Judaism in the United States: liberal Reform, Conservative (a mix of tradition and reform), and Orthodoxy (observance of all Jewish law). Some individuals in Orthodox or ultra-Orthodox communities may choose to consult their rabbi before making important decisions regarding their lives and health, such as fertility treatment, abortion, and organ transplants. Religious observance and beliefs can be determining factors for Jews of various subgroups. The population of Jews in the United States as of 2020 was estimated at 7.5 million people. The size of the American Jewish population grew rapidly between the mid-nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as a result of mass migration from Central and Eastern Europe. The greatest influx occurred between 1880 and 1920. Many Jews came from Russia and Eastern Europe, primarily to escape poverty, and because of legal inequality and pogroms (anti-Jewish riots or mob violence). Throughout their history, Jews have placed a major emphasis on education and social justice through social action. American Jews support a wide range of political causes from liberal to conservative. They often have strong ties to the state of Israel and worry about the rise of anti-Jewish hostility (antisemitism). In general, this population is well educated, and a high percentage obtain higher education and pursue professional vocations.