Ilana Horwitz discusses her research into the social class dynamics within the American Jewish community, influenced by her personal background as an immigrant from the Soviet Union. She highlights the diversity and economic disparities among American Jews, challenging the monolithic image of affluence often portrayed in media. Horwitz explains the historical narrative of Jewish upward mobility in America, facilitated by education and the ability to assimilate as white, and contrasts this with her own family’s working-class experiences and reliance on Jewish philanthropic support.
Her research utilizes both quantitative and qualitative methods, including large-scale surveys and in-depth interviews, to explore the complex interplay of economic status, religious affiliation, age, and gender within the Jewish community. Horwitz’s findings reveal significant socioeconomic variations among different Jewish subgroups, such as Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews, and across different age groups and genders. She discusses the potential shift from the narrative of Jewish upward mobility to one of possible downward mobility in the 21st century, reflecting broader trends in American society.
The conversation also touches on the role of Jewish institutions in providing social capital and how changes in religious engagement in the U.S. affect these dynamics. Horwitz expresses interest in comparing these issues in the American Jewish community with other Jewish communities worldwide, like Australia, highlighting the global relevance of her research.
