Against the Odds: Jewish Identity in the Bay Area
Against the Odds: Jewish Identity in the Bay Area – A Story of Strength and Resilience
Jewish day schools are often associated with tight-knit Orthodox communities, long-standing traditions, and students who have already experienced a comprehensive Jewish education from a young age. But in the heart of San Francisco, there’s a school that breaks all the rules: the Jewish Community High School of the Bay (JCHS). And against the odds, it’s succeeding in ways that defy expectations.
Let’s set the scene: Unlike most Jewish day schools, where you’d expect a largely Orthodox student body or one with very few Orthodox students, JCHS is a mix. Just under a quarter of its students come from Orthodox families, and about 16% of its students have a non-Jewish parent. The school doesn’t start until 9th grade—no elementary feeder schools here. And perhaps the most unique factor? This is happening in the Bay Area, a region where the word “secular” feels like a defining trait. Jewish ritual practice and institutional affiliation are notably low here, and in-marriage rates? Some of the lowest among major Jewish communities in the U.S.
But despite all these factors, JCHS alumni shine brightly when it comes to Jewish identity. This is the big takeaway from 15 years of alumni surveys, the most recent one conducted in 2023. What did we find? Over two-thirds of alumni say being Jewish is *very important* in their lives. Nearly three-quarters feel a strong sense of belonging to the Jewish people. And about half are already members of synagogues—a surprising number given that many aren’t parents yet, which is often when people start thinking about joining a congregation.
The ripple effect of a JCHS education doesn’t just disappear once students’ graduate. In fact, it seems to deepen. As they move into adulthood, the alumni maintain or even increase their Jewish engagement, especially when they start families. It’s an evolving story that speaks volumes about the school’s unique environment and the bonds it fosters.
Friendships also tell a story: 59% of alumni report that most of their close friends are Jewish. And when it comes to relationships, two-thirds of those with spouses or partners are in Jewish-Jewish relationships—again, far exceeding national averages, especially for young people.
Then there’s Israel. Almost every single alum (99%) has visited Israel, and a third have even lived there. A substantial portion feel a strong connection to Israel, and most oppose the BDS movement. But here’s where things start to shift. Over the years, attachment to Israel has seen a slight decline, with some alumni feeling less connected. As we look to future surveys, this will be something to watch, especially given the Israel-Hamas war, which erupted just weeks after our latest survey.
Politics, of course, is a significant thread in this tapestry. In today’s climate, political identity and Jewish identity often intertwine, and the same is true for JCHS alumni. Interestingly, these alumni lean further left politically than most day school graduates in America. Around a third identify as liberals, while another third position themselves as even more progressive. And while their politics may set them apart, it also shapes their Jewish engagement. The conservatives and moderates within this group tend to be more engaged in Jewish life, while the most liberal and progressive alumni display slightly lower levels of Jewish involvement.
So, where does this leave us? JCHS alumni provide a fascinating case study. First, these high levels of Jewish engagement were achieved at JCHS alongside high levels of academic preparation. JCHS alumni express widespread praise for their JCHS education, with a majority feeling that JCHS prepared them better for college compared to their non-JCHS peers. Second, they come from a region that many would say is a challenge for Jewish engagement. Yet, they emerge with a strong sense of Jewish identity and connection to the Jewish people. But the story is still unfolding. With alumni getting married, having children, and navigating a world in flux—politically, culturally, and socially—who knows where the journey will take them?
What we do know is that JCHS has created a model that other Jewish day schools might look to for inspiration. The Bay Area might not seem like the ideal environment for fostering a strong Jewish identity, but JCHS is proving that with the right approach, anything is possible.
A copy of the research report is found here: Link