Papers by Sergio Dellapergola
Studies of Jews in society, 2022
American Jewish Year Book, 2002
BRILL eBooks, 2008
This chapter discusses some aspects of the political, socioeconomic and demographic infrastructur... more This chapter discusses some aspects of the political, socioeconomic and demographic infrastructure underlying the development of Jewish culture and identification in contemporary society. While mainly oriented toward understanding the constraints and opportunities that may limit or stimulate the development of Jewish associative life at the global level, the chapter illustrates the more general issues through some examples concerning Jews in the Latin American context. Western societies-while initiating significant military action aimed at the Islamic world-have also pursued other avenues of political advocacy and persuasion. These attempts to export the Western ethos and to try to incorporate and moderate the influences of Islamic hostility have been crowned with only very limited success. The chapter evaluates the relations between population trends and the social environment across countries within the American continent. Keywords: contemporary Jewish global scene; Islamic societies; Jewish autonomy; Latin America; Western societies
Routledge eBooks, Feb 16, 2023
Berghahn Books, Dec 31, 2022
American Jewish Year Book, 2018
At the beginning of 2017, the world’s Jewish population was estimated at 14,511,100—an increase o... more At the beginning of 2017, the world’s Jewish population was estimated at 14,511,100—an increase of 103,500 (0.72%) over the 2016 revised estimate. As the world’s total population increased by 1.12% in 2016, world Jewry increased at about two-thirds of the general population growth rate. Jewish population was highly concentrated in two countries, Israel (45% of the world total) and the US (39% of the world total), 9% lived in Europe, 3% in other North America and Latin America, and 2% in other continents. A steady demographic increase in Israel was matched by stagnation or decline elsewhere, which was generated by low birth rates, frequent intermarriage, aging, and emigration. Most Jews are increasingly found in just a few more developed and democratic countries, with tens of communities now below a sufficient critical mass needed to sustain community institutions. This chapter carefully reviews different approaches to Jewish population definitions, the different sources available, and their highly variable quality and reliability. The critically important Jewish-Arab population balance in Israel and Palestine is analyzed. Vignettes on the ten largest Jewish populations—Israel, the United States, France, Canada, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Russia, Germany, Australia, and Brazil—are also provided.
Israel studies review, 2011
Contemporary Jewry, Mar 9, 2022
De Gruyter eBooks, Sep 7, 2020
American Jewish Year Book, 2003
Contemporary Jewry, Jun 22, 2023
Differences of opinion regarding the numerical size of US Jewry are discussed in this article, wi... more Differences of opinion regarding the numerical size of US Jewry are discussed in this article, with special reference to the 2020 Pew survey of Jewish Americans. Issues discussed involve understanding the theoretical assumptions, technical requirements, and accumulated body of knowledge of Jewish demography and population studies as a discipline; the different methods and biases of Jewish social survey research; the variety of possible Jewish population definitions in a world which is no more dichotomous; the essential role children's Jewish socialization in Jewish population estimates; the independence vs. circularity of existing Jewish population estimates. It is argued that different possible estimates can coexist side-by-side, provided assumptions, methods and definitions are fully transparent and amenable to clear common denominators. The study of US Jews cannot be severed from the study of Jews globally.
Kultur und soziale Praxis, May 18, 2023
Routledge eBooks, Jul 28, 2017
The frequency, determinants, and consequences of marriages between Jews and non-Jews have long be... more The frequency, determinants, and consequences of marriages between Jews and non-Jews have long been a significant topic in social-scientific research and community discourse. Some observers consider the recent trends in Jewish family formation with great concern and a leading factor in the identity drift and quantitative erosion of Jewish population. Others view the same trends as an opportunity for Jewish community growth and enhancing mutual relations with the broader societal environment. Supporters of these different approaches often rely on sophisticated theory, concepts, and analysis. Interestingly, different conclusions are sometimes attained based on the same data. As one looks into the matter, the current debate concerning out-marriage in the Jewish community seems to be unfolding in three main directions. The first concerns definitions, measurement techniques, and the ascertainment of facts. A second debate taking the move from the available evidence revolves around the role of out-marriage in relation to paradigms of Jewish assimilation and erosion, on the one hand, versus Jewish resilience and revival, on the other hand. A third debate of applied nature concerns the policy choices that the organized Jewish community should consider in dealing with the issue of out-marriage in order to minimize the costs and maximize the benefits-if any. Typically, these issues are discussed in the localistic perspective of specific points in time and space. An assumption frequently met in these debates is that local situations are unique and the circumstances of a certain locale cannot be transferred to an appraisal of the circumstances in other locales. We rather argue that in view of several broad parallel trends that characterize the modern Jewish experience globally, a comparativistic approach is not only possible but necessary to better appreciate social and cultural changes among different Jewish populations. Such broader overviews may help in reaching conclusions of wider applicability within the Jewish community fold and of general social scientific interest beyond it.
Routledge eBooks, Apr 24, 2018
University of Toronto Press eBooks, Dec 31, 2023
Uploads
Papers by Sergio Dellapergola