AJC Survey of American Jewish Opinion 2017

AJC’s 2017 Survey of American Jewish Opinion, conducted by the research company SSRS, is based on telephone interviews carried out August 10-28 with a national sample of 1,000 Jews over age 18. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.71%.

1. Where would you place yourself on this scale?

Liberal Lean Liberal Moderate, Middle of the Road Lean Conservative Conservative

39 15 22 7 15

 

2. In politics today, do you consider yourself....

Republican Democrat Independent Other

15 57 20 8

 

3. In last November’s presidential election, whom did you vote for?

Hillary Clinton Donald Trump Another candidate Didn't vote

64 18 8 8

 

4. Is your opinion of the job President Trump is doing favorable or unfavorable?

Favorable Unfavorable Not sure

21 77 1

 

5. Is your opinion of the job Vice President Pence is doing favorable or unfavorable?

Favorable Unfavorable Not sure

30 62 7

 

6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Trump is handling National Security?

Approve strongly Approve somewhat Disapprove somewhat Disapprove strongly Not sure

13 14 62 11 1

 

7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Trump is handling Terrorism?

Approve strongly Approve somewhat Disapprove somewhat Disapprove strongly Not sure

18 12 54 15 1

 

8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Trump is handling U.S.-Russia relations?

Approve strongly Approve somewhat Disapprove somewhat Disapprove strongly Not sure

10 13 62 13 2

 

9. Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Trump is handling NATO and the Transatlantic Alliance?

Approve strongly Approve somewhat Disapprove somewhat Disapprove strongly Not sure

13 12 56 15 3

 

10. Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Trump is handling Race Relations?

Approve strongly Approve somewhat Disapprove somewhat Disapprove strongly Not sure

11 9 69 8 1

 

11. Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Trump is handling Immigration?

Approve strongly Approve somewhat Disapprove somewhat Disapprove strongly Not sure

17 6 65 11 1

 

12. Do you approve or disapprove of the Trump Administration’s handling of the Iran nuclear issue?

Approve strongly Approve somewhat Disapprove somewhat Disapprove strongly Not sure

11 15 42 26 6

 

13. Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Trump is handling U.S.-Israel relations?

Approve strongly Approve somewhat Disapprove somewhat Disapprove strongly Not sure

18 22 31 23 5

 

14. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Prime Minister Netanyahu is handling U.S.-Israel relations?

Approve strongly Approve somewhat Disapprove somewhat Disapprove strongly Not sure

22 23 23 24 8

 

15. Regarding a possible move of the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which of the following courses of action do you most support?

Move the Embassy to Jerusalem immediately Move the Embassy to Jerusalem at a later date in conjunction with progress in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks Not move the embassy Not sure

16 36 44 4

 

16. In the current situation, do you favor or oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state?

Favor Oppose Not sure

55 40 4

 

17. Compared to one year ago, do you think prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace have increased, decreased, or stayed the same?

Increased Decreased Stayed the same Not sure

5 29 65 1

 

18. 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 Not sure

24 56 13 5 1

 

19. In your opinion, which foreign nation poses the single greatest danger to the United States?

China Iran North Korea Russia Another country Not sure

10 16 57 22 5 1

 

20. In your opinion, 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 Not sure

41 43 12 4 -

 

21. In your opinion, 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 Not sure

29 40 16 6 8

 

22. In your opinion, is antisemitism currently a problem in Europe?

Yes, a very serious problem Yes, somewhat of a problem No, not much of a problem No, not a problem at all Not sure

54 32 6 2 6

 

23. In your opinion, is antisemitism currently a problem in the Arab World?

Yes, a very serious problem Yes, somewhat of a problem No, not much of a problem No, not a problem at all Not sure

78 17 1 1 3

 

24. Do you think of yourself as...

Orthodox Conservative Reconstructionist Reform Just Jewish

9 16 2 31 39

 

25. What is your current marital status?

Unmarried Married to a born Jew Married to a convert to Judaism Married to a non-Jew

47 32 3 17

 

26. How important is being Jewish in your life?

Very important Somewhat important Not too important Not at all important

47 33 12 7

 

27. 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

48 24 18 9

 

28. Looking ahead five years, do you think that the ties between American Jews and Israel will be…

Stronger than today Weaker than today About the same as today Not sure

25 14 59 2

 

29. Have you ever been to Israel?

No Yes, once Yes, more than once

50 24 26

 

30. 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

7 56 36 1

 

31. Currently, Jewish weddings and divorces 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 and divorces?

Yes, satisfied with this system No, legal recognition should also be extended to non-Orthodox weddings and divorces Not sure

20 76   3

 

32. There is a current proposal to require that conversion to Judaism in Israel shall be recognized only if carried out under the authority of the Chief Rabbinate. Do you approve or disapprove of the idea?

Approve Disapprove Not sure

26 68 5

 

33. Currently, prayer services at the Western Wall in Jerusalem —a site holy to Jews—are conducted according to Orthodox tradition, with men and women separated by a barrier. Do you support or oppose a mixed-gender prayer area at Robinson's Arch, adjacent to the Western Wall?

Support Oppose Not sure

73 24 3