AJC’s 2016 Survey of American Jewish Opinion, conducted by the research company SSRS, is based on telephone interviews carried out August 8-28 with a national sample of 1,002 Jews over age 18. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.57%.
1. Where would you place yourself on this scale?
| Liberal Lean Liberal Moderate, Middle of the Road Lean Conservative Conservative |
39 12 23 8 16 |
2. In politics today, do you consider yourself....
| Republican Democrat Green Party Libertarian Independent |
18 51 2 1 26 |
3. If the presidential election were held today, for whom would you most likely vote?
| Hillary Clinton. Democrat Donald Trump, Republican Gary Johnson, Libertarian Jill Stein, Green Party Will not vote for president |
61 19 6 3 8 |
4. How important to you is the choice of the vice-presidential candidate in deciding whom you will vote for in the 2016 presidential election?
| Very important Somewhat important Not too important Not at all important |
19 36 28 16 |
5. Seats in the House of Representatives and, in some states, Senate seats and/or governorships will also be on the ballot. If the election were held today, would you vote the straight party line, or split your ticket and vote for the candidate of one party for president and another party for other offices?
| Straight Party Line Split Ticket No opinion |
54 39 7 |
6a. Among the following choices, what do you think are the most important issues in deciding how you will vote in the 2016 presidential election?
| Foreign Policy Immigration Healthcare The Economy, Jobs Terrorism and National Security Climate change Federal Deficit Taxes Race Relations Another issue |
10 4 9 29 16 9 2 3 4 12 |
6b. Among the following choices, what do you think is the second most important issue in deciding how you will vote in the 2016 presidential election?
| Foreign Policy Immigration Healthcare The Economy, Jobs Terrorism and National Security Climate change Federal Deficit Taxes Race Relations Another issue |
12 6 13 22 15 8 3 5 8 6 |
7. How much confidence do you have in Congress?
| A great deal Quite a lot Some Very little None No opinion |
2 4 29 43 17 5 |
8. How much confidence do you have in television news?
| A great deal Quite a lot Some Very little None No opinion |
6 13 35 28 13 5 |
9. How much confidence do you have in the police?
| A great deal Quite a lot Some Very little None No opinion |
29 32 30 4 2 2 |
10. What role do you think the U.S. should play in solving international problems?
| The leading role A major role, but not the leading role A minor role No role at all No opinion |
26 58 10 4 1 |
11. When children in our country grow up, will they be better off, worse off, or neither better nor worse off than their parents?
| Better off Worse off Neither better nor worse off |
29 39 27 |
12. How would you characterize the U.S.-Israel relationship today?
| Very good Fairly good Fairly poor Very poor |
16 57 17 8 |
13. Which of the two major party candidates for president would be better at handling terrorism?
| Hillary Clinton Donald Trump Neither No opinion |
58 22 11 9 |
14. Which of the two major party candidates for president would be more likely to unite the country?
| Donald Trump Hillary Clinton Neither No Opinion |
11 55 25 8 |
15. Which of the two major party candidates for president would be more likely to promote U.S.-Israel relations?
| Hillary Clinton Donald Trump Neither No opinion |
57 22 9 10 |
16. Which of the two major party candidates for president would be more likely to deal effectively with Iran?
| Donald Trump Hillary Clinton Neither No opinion |
19 58 12 10 |
17. Is antisemitism currently a problem in the United States?
| Yes, a very serious problem Yes, somewhat of a problem No, not much of a problem No, not a problem at all No opinion |
21 52 22 4 1 |
18. Is antisemitism currently a problem on the American college campus?
| Yes, a very serious problem Yes, somewhat of a problem No, not much of a problem No, not a problem at all No opinion |
23 34 21 6 16 |
19. Do you think of yourself as....
| Orthodox Conservative Reconstructionist Reform Just Jewish |
9 18 2 34 34 |
20. What is your current marital status?
| Unmarried Married to a born Jew Married to a convert to Judaism Married to a non-Jew |
49 32 3 15 |
21. How important is being Jewish in your life?
| Very important Somewhat important Not too important Not at all important |
44 35 11 10 |
22. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "Caring about Israel is a very important part of my being a Jew."
| Agree strongly Agree somewhat Disagree somewhat Disagree strongly |
47 26 16 10 |
23. Do you believe that Israel and an independent Palestinian state can coexist peacefully?
| Yes No Undecided |
49 29 20 |
24. Have you ever been to Israel?
| No Yes, once Yes, more than once |
52 21 27 |
25. Which of these statements best represents your opinion of the role of religion in the State of Israel?
| Religion should play more of a role Religion should play less of a role The current relationship is best There should be separation of religion and state No opinion |
11 22 24 37 5 |
26. Do you think the fact that Orthodox Judaism is the only denomination recognized by Israel as an official form of Judaism...
| Strengthens Israel’s ties with American Jews Weakens Israel’s ties with American Jews Has no effect on Israel’s ties with American Jews No opinion |
6 48 39 6 |
27. What do you consider the most important change necessary in Israeli Judaism?
| Securing legal recognition of equality for all streams of Judaism Providing access for mixed-gender prayer at the Western Wall Establishing the option for civil marriage and divorce No change is necessary No opinion |
41 9 15 27 7 |
28. Currently, Jewish weddings, divorces, and conversions in Israel are legally recognized only if carried out under the authority of the Chief Rabbinate, which is Orthodox. Are you satisfied with this system or should legal recognition also be extended to non-Orthodox weddings, divorces and conversions?
| Yes, satisfied with this system No, legal recognition should also be extended to non-Orthodox weddings, divorces, and conversions. No opinion |
14 74 11 |
29. A proposal has recently been made to set aside an area near the Western Wall in Jerusalem—a site holy to Jews—for mixed-gender Jewish prayer. Currently, prayer services are conducted according to Orthodox tradition, with men and women separated by a barrier. Do you support or oppose the creation of a mixed-gender prayer area near the Wall?
| Support Oppose No opinion |
70 16 13 |
