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2026 Community Population Study Findings

Part Four: Engagement & Connection

As we conclude this series sharing the findings and insights from the community population study, we are excited to close by looking at engagement across our local Jewish community. If you missed the previous emails, you can find emails one, two, and three at these links.

Questions in this section included:

  • How engaged are you with local Jewish community organizations?

  • How happy are you with your current level of engagement?

  • Do you wish to engage more in Jewish life and community?

  • Has your engagement in Jewish life shifted over the past three years?

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DATA

The findings reveal a Jewish community where many people are not yet deeply engaged with Jewish institutions, with 59% reporting limited or no involvement in Jewish organizations or groups. This may, in part, reflect the fact that 25% of the community has lived in the area for less than five years. While these numbers may initially seem concerning, the broader data across the Carolinas tell a similar story:

  • Greater Raleigh: 68% little or no engagement

  • Carolinas overall: 64% little or no engagement

Among those who are engaged, there is also a strong sense of satisfaction, both with the Jewish communities where people live and with their overall level of engagement.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Bottom line: While current engagement levels are modest, the combination of high satisfaction among participants and strong interest in increased involvement signals meaningful opportunity for future growth and community strengthening.

As we reflect on these findings, there are a number of important next steps for both Jewish for Good and our broader Jewish community to take. 

At Jewish for Good we are committed to:

Digging further into the data — looking at engagement patterns by geography, identifying which areas are highly engaged and which communities may benefit from additional outreach and connection opportunities. We also want to identify local connectors and community leaders who can help foster deeper engagement across the region.

Exploring opportunities to expand low-barrier, drop-in programs. This year, we've seen that programs like Community Coworking Days offer flexible and welcoming ways for people to engage on their own terms. There is no required start or end time; people come for as much or as little as works for them. We are also asking how this model might support other programs, such as Storytime/Tot Shabbat or our Men's and Women's Groups.

Exploring where else we can host programs — because not everything needs to happen at the J! As we bring all the data together, we know our catchment area is growing, and while people are often willing to travel for large community events, we are also exploring ways to bring smaller or recurring programs closer to where people live. Could PJ Library hit the road and host smaller Hanukkah events in Mebane and Briar Chapel? Could our Film Festival include screenings in Durham, Orange, and Chatham counties? These are just some of the questions we look forward to exploring together.