Call it the Jerry Seinfeld impact.
Even as American Jews confront a current rise in antisemitism, a brand new survey from the Pew Research Center reveals that Jewish individuals are seen essentially the most favorably among the many main spiritual teams within the U.S.
The Pew survey discovered that 35% of Americans have a really or considerably favorable opinion of Jewish folks. That compares with 34% for Catholics, 30% for mainline Protestants, 28% for evangelical Christians, 20% for atheists, 17% for Muslims and 15% for Mormons.
Pew stated that 10,588 U.S. adults participated within the survey.
Pew added just a few caveats to its findings, saying some respondents “may find it strange or difficult to be asked to rate an entire group of people.” Certainly, which will clarify why the vast majority of respondents — 58%, to be precise — stated they’d neither a positive nor unfavorable view of Jews, or didn’t know sufficient to voice any opinion.
The similar utilized to different spiritual teams: For instance, 59% of respondents stated they didn’t have a positive or unfavorable view of mainline Protestants, or lacked sufficient information to have an opinion.
The outcomes of the Pew survey shocked some distinguished members of the Jewish group contacted by MarketWatch, particularly given the rise in antisemitic incidents.
Related: Four in each 5 American Jews consider antisemitism has gotten worse prior to now 5 years: survey
Indeed, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a Jewish group, simply reported that 2022 was a file 12 months for such incidents, with 3,697 counted — a 36% improve over 2021, which itself was a file 12 months with 2,717 incidents. The 2022 incidents ranged from assaults to harassment and vandalism, with one fatality recorded, the ADL famous.
There’s additionally the truth that Jews represent a comparatively small group — simply 2.4% of the general U.S. grownup inhabitants, in accordance with a unique Pew examine.
At the identical time, there could possibly be loads of causes Jews are seen so favorably. Jonathan Brent, chief govt of YIVO, an American group that explores the historical past and tradition of Jewry, famous that the U.S. has a tolerance for folks of all religions constructed into its framework — a tolerance that has not at all times been related to Europe, he added. He pointed to Germany through the Nazi regime, in addition to antisemitism in different nations at totally different instances.
In flip, that tolerance has allowed Jewish folks to flourish within the U.S. in lots of fields, together with science, schooling and well-liked tradition. And the extra that Jewish traditions and icons have grow to be a part of this nation’s material, from comedians like Jerry Seinfeld to meals staples just like the bagel, the extra possible Americans are to have a positive opinion of the spiritual group, Brent stated.
“Here in America, the Jewish influence is viewed as constructive,” Brent stated.
As far as any rise in antisemitism, Brent stated, the hatred is “coming from a small, highly defined group” — in brief, not the mainstream.
Rabbi Pinchas Taylor, the writer of “Pillars of Faith” and “A Jewish Guide to the Mysterious,” seconded that view. Regarding those that maintain antisemitic views, Taylor stated the “haters are always louder,” so it’s straightforward to presume they make up a bigger group than they actually do.
Christian Americans typically have a positive view of Jews for the reason that Jewish Bible — the Old Testament — is a part of the Christian religion, Taylor added. It’s “a biblical piece we all share,” he stated.
Still, the ADL questioned if the survey actually speaks to the way in which Americans take into consideration the Jewish group. In a press release, the group pointed to its personal analysis, which it stated “suggests that those with prejudices, generally, hide behind ‘I don’t know’ responses.”
In addition, the ADL stated that whereas some folks might have constructive emotions about Jewish folks they’ve encountered, they don’t essentially distinguish these emotions from antisemitic “dark sentiments about a Jewish cabal or global conspiracy.”
The ADL concluded that such points level to the necessity for extra analysis.
Source web site: www.marketwatch.com
