Financial Struggles Affect Jewish Community Engagement
By Jewish Bulletin Online Staff
📅 April 25, 2025
Recent studies have highlighted the financial challenges faced by a significant portion of Jewish households in the United States, impacting their ability to engage fully in Jewish communal life.
Economic Hardships Within the Jewish Community
According to a report by the Jewish Federations of North America, nearly 20% of Jewish households are either unable to make ends meet or are just managing to do so. Specifically, 2% of households report being unable to make ends meet, while another 17% are just managing. Additionally, 11% of Jewish households fall below 250% of the federal poverty line, which equated to $62,150 for a family of three in 2023. [Source]
Impact on Jewish Engagement
Financial constraints have a direct effect on participation in Jewish life. The same study found that 11% of Jewish households said financial limitations affected their engagement in Jewish life. This figure rises to 49% among poor households and 28% among those just managing to make ends meet. [Source]
Calls for Support and Action
Community leaders emphasize the need for increased support to address these challenges. Jon Hornstein, Program Director at the Weinberg Foundation, stated, “This report breaks the myth that poverty is not a Jewish problem. It should serve as a call to action for how funders, direct service agencies, and Federations can work together to better serve individuals and families in our communities who are struggling financially.” [Source]
Initiatives to Alleviate Financial Strain
In response to these findings, Jewish Federations and partner organizations have been advocating for continued federal aid and implementing programs to support financially vulnerable members of the community. Efforts include providing interest-free loans and grants to maintain the infrastructure of Jewish life across the United States. [Source]
For more insights and updates on the Jewish community’s experiences and responses to economic challenges, visit our Community Articles section.
