Mt Sinai Pulse Survey Report 2011

June 2011

1

Table of Contents�

I.  Introduc,on by the Rabbi II.  Introduc,on by the Vice President III.  Demographics -‐ Who we are IV.  Survey results

a.  Community b.  Mt Sinai c.  Resource alloca,on

V.  Segmented results a.  Male vs Female b.  Single vs Married c.  Member vs Non-‐member d.  Ac,ve vs Non-‐ac,ve

VI.  Appendix 2

I.  Introduction by the Rabbi�

3

We are tremendously blessed that our Mt Sinai community is constantly growing. We are one of the very few shuls that welcomes new members on a weekly basis and we as a community benefit immeasurably from this growth, and the vibrancy and energy it provides. Of course part of the growth has meant that we, the Shul leadership, do not have as strong a sense of the community as we would like. In a desire to combat this inevitable side-effect of our growth, our Vice President , Rebecca Saidlower, together with other Shul leaders drafted a Pulse survey to canvas our members and collect basic data.

When reading these results please bear in mind what they are and what they are not. These results are simply a snapshot of the Mt Sinai community as it was a few months ago. They do not necessarily represent the community as it stands today. Certainly they do attempt to represent where the community will be in the future. The pulse survey was deliberate in not asking probing questions about halachic practice or ideology. The goal was to collect only the most basic information. However, due to the success of this first pulse survey we plan on drafting future surveys where such probing questions will be asked. Our goal in so doing will not be to decide questions of Shul policy solely based on public opinion. To do that would be to abdicate the responsibility of leadership- which is to be prescriptive and directive; not just descriptive. Rather, we hope that when armed with more information, we will be able to make better informed decisions and be even more responsive to the community's needs. Hopefully this will help us further unite under the sacred banner of Kiddush Shem Shamayim, elevating Hashem's name through our Torah, tefilla and acts of kindness.

Hoping that you are well,

Rabbi Ezra Schwartz

II. Introduction by the VP�

4

I am excited to share the Mt Sinai Pulse Survey report. Over 400 people took the ,me to answer this survey and tell us what they think about Washington Heights and Mt Sinai. We want you to know that we are listening. We are constantly combing through the data to learn more about who we are and what the people in this community want. There is no one voice of Mt Sinai, and I am excited that this survey has allowed us to see a plurality of voices and opinions. I want to thank Akiva Stechler and the rest of the commiQee for the ,me and effort that made this project a success.

The Mt Sinai community is large, vibrant, diverse and opinionated. I believe that our greatest strengths are also our greatest challenge and that our greatest weaknesses also represent our greatest poten,al. One of the main themes to the survey is a love and apprecia,on for the shul’s dynamic nature -‐ how there are tons of people, shiurim, events, and ac,vi,es going on all the ,me. The community’s explosive growth has allowed the shul to be doing more than ever before.

Yet that growth brings with it a lesser amount of warmth, hominess, and a bit of a loss of the small shul feel. Many of us feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of people in the social hall on Friday night. We no longer know everyone in Keyfoods name. I believe that we as a community need to ac,vely say that we will not let our growth impede our warmth. It might be harder to be welcoming now, but if so, we need to work harder, try harder and do more to ensure that we don't lose the community feel that makes Mt Sinai great.

Another poten,al challenge reflected in the survey is the community’s transience. Over 50% of respondents indicated that they intend to move out of Washington Heights in the next 2 years. Many view this as a weakness, or a problem that needs to be solved. I have a different approach. I think we should both accept and embrace this transience. Let this community be a stop along peoples life journeys, but let it be a meaningful one; let this stop be the ,me and place where people develop a personal Jewish iden,ty outside the context of an educa,onal ins,tu,on; let this shul be an incubator of personal, professional, social and religious growth; and let the bright young minds who are part of Mt Sinai transform into though^ul, commiQed, philanthropic adults who will be the leaders of the shuls and Jewish communi,es they move to in the future. The constant influx of new faces can be the ever refreshing energy that pulses through the shul’s veins as we develop new programs, new ini,a,ves, and achieve greater success. I hope you enjoy reading this report. I’d love to hear comments and feedback, either on the web, via email or in person.

Best, Rebecca Saidlower [email protected]

III. Demographics - Who we are�

63.6%

30.1%

3.3%

1.9% 0.7%

0.2%

Marital status

Single (63.6%)

Married

Engaged

Divorced

Long-‐term rela,onship

Widow (0.2%)

5

43.1%

56.9%

Male/Female

Male

Female

  418 people completed the survey

III. Who we are�

Did you meet your spouse in the Heights?

40.5%

59.5%

Yes

No

Do you have children?

50.0% 50.0% Yes

No

6

If married:

III. Who we are�

7

Age:

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 41 50 52 60 64 68 85

# of peo

ple

III. Who we are�

8

I am currently (all that apply1):

70.3%

36.6%

5.0%

2.4%

1.9%

Employed

In school for a graduate degree

Neither in school nor employed

Other

In school for an undergraduate degree

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0%

1 Please note that respondents could choose mul,ple op,ons, ie they can be in graduate school and employed, so the total is more than 100%

III. Who we are�

9

Professions1:

38.8%

13.2% 8.4%

7.4%

5.5%

5.5%

5.3%

4.6%

3.4% 3.1% 2.6%

2.2% Other (38.8%)

Educa,on / Special Ed / Jewish Ed

Law

Psychology

Social Work

Judaic Studies

Finance

Non-‐Profit / Jewish Non-‐Profit

Accoun,ng

Computers

Marke,ng

Occupa,onal Therapy (2.2%)

1 Listed are the professions that represented more than 2%. All other professions were grouped into “Other”

III. Who we are�

10

My hometown state is:

36.2%

18.9%

11.8%

5.5%

5.3%

4.8%

4.6%

4.1%

3.8% 3.6% 1.4% New York (36.2%)

New Jersey

Other US state

Illinois

Canada

California

Maryland

Pennsylvania

NA

MassachuseQs

Other country (1.4%)

  Community members represent over 115 different ci,es and neighborhoods from 24 states across the US and 5 other countries.

III. Who we are�

11

Colleges:

52.8%

20.4%

4.6%

3.4%

3.4%

3.4%

2.4% 2.4% 2.2% 1.9% 1.7% 1.7%

YU/Stern (52.8%)

Other

Brandeis

Penn

N/A

Barnard

Queens College

NYU

Touro College

Columbia

York University

Brooklyn College (1.7%)

III. Who we are�

12

5.3%

11.0%

16.3% 18.4%

26.1%

14.1%

6.9%

1.9%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

I have lived in the Heights for:

III. Who we are�

13

I tentaDvely plan to live in the Heights for the next:

9.6% 13.2%

34.9%

2.4% 5.0%

1.7% 2.2%

21.1%

0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 35.0% 40.0%

III. Who we are�

14

The main factors determining why I am staying or when I might move are (all that apply):

49.3%

65.3% 61.2%

56.0%

28.0%

45.2%

21.1%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

IV. Survey results - Community �

15

Are you happy living in the Washington Heights -‐ Mt Sinai Jewish Center community?

91.1%

8.9%

Yes

No


76.1%

23.9%

Are you proud to be part of the Washington Heights -‐ Mt

Sinai Jewish Center community?

Yes

No

16

78.7%

21.3%

Do you feel like you are part of the Washington Heights -‐ Mt Sinai Jewish

Center community?

Yes

No


17

Would you recommend to a friend to move to Washington Heights -‐ Mt Sinai Jewish Center community?

89.2%

10.8%

Yes

No


18

What is your most favorite part of the community1?

 Friends  Vibrancy / Dynamism  Community  One shul

What is your least favorite part of the community1?  Cliques  Size  Loca,on  Shul too crowded  Hashkafa (Right and Leq!)

1 Please note that these are based on the observa,ons of the Survey CommiQee of recurring themes to the free-‐response ques,ons and are not listed in any specific order

 Programming  Warmth/Welcoming  Social life  Quality/ Diversity of people

 Parking  Overwhelmingness  Shul poli,cs  Hard to meet people  Leadership cri,ques


19

Please rate your overall saDsfacDon with the Washington Heights -‐ Mt Sinai Jewish Center community

0.7% 1.4% 4.3% 4.8%

8.6% 10.5%

26.1% 26.6%

12.4%

4.5%

1 Least 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Most

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

  Average ra,ng: 6.94

IV. Survey results – Mt Sinai �

20

78.7%

21.3%

Are you a member of Mt Sinai?

Yes

No 51.2%

48.8%

Do you consider yourself to be an acDve parDcipant in Mt

Sinai acDviDes?

Yes

No


21

83.0%

17.0%

Are you saDsfied with the lay leadership of the shul?

Yes

No

81.6%

18.4%

Are you saDsfied with the professional staff of the shul?

Yes

No


22

How important to you are the following funcDons of Mt Sinai Jewish Center?

1. Not important

2. 3. 4. 5. Very important

RaDng Average

Religious 1.2% 3.1% 7.9% 25.6% 62.2% 4.44

Educa,onal 4.1% 9.6% 25.1% 34.0% 27.3% 3.71

Social 4.1% 3.8% 16.3% 36.1% 39.7% 4.04

Community Service

3.6% 14.4% 27.3% 34.0% 20.8% 3.54


23

Please rate your saDsfacDon with the Mt Sinai Jewish Center in the those areas.

1. Least saDsfied

2. 3. 4. 5. Most saDsfied

RaDng Average

Religious 4.1% 7.4% 23.7% 40.7% 24.2% 3.73

Educa,onal 5.0% 8.9% 28.9% 40.2% 17.0% 3.55

Social 6.2% 6.0% 25.1% 40.7% 22.0% 3.66

Community Service

4.1% 8.6% 31.1% 40.4% 15.8% 3.55


24

Do you feel that the shul provides the right services to you?

82.8%

17.2%

Yes

No


25

What other services or events should the shul provide or organize1?

  Chavrusa program / Open beit medrash   Other minyan op,ons   Greater focus on children's programs   More official singles events / shadchanus   Wider variety of educa,onal programming   More hospitality events   More chessed programs   Reach out more to new people   More ac,ve in wider community



26

How would you make the shul a beYer place1?

  Physical infrastructure changes   Set up of sanctuary   Cleanliness   Noise reduc,on in social hall   Less talking inside/outside of shul   Greater sense of warmth   Greater focus on davening   Reach out more to new members


  More engagement from shul leadership   Addi,onal minyanim

(especially on Shabbos)   Hashkafic-‐related changes

(Right and Leq)   Remove online credit card fee   Shorter announcements   More transparency


27

Please rate your saDsfacDon with the Mt Sinai Jewish Center

1.4% 1.2% 2.6% 3.3%

9.8% 10.3%

19.6%

26.6%

18.4%

6.7%

1 Least 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Most

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

  Average ra,ng: 7.18

IV. Survey results – Resource Allocation �

28

Do you think the shul is a worthy cause to which to contribute your resources?

87.1%

12.9%

Yes

No


29

Do you feel you have an adequate understanding of the shul's exisDng resources and operaDng needs?

42.8%

57.2%

Yes

No


30

Do you feel you can contribute more to the shul and community?

66.5%

33.5%

Yes

No

31

Which resources are you best suited to contribute (all that apply)?

60.6%

30.8%

62.2%

6.2%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

Time Financial Skills Other


32

What factors deter or prevent you from giving more (all that apply)?

15.6%

33.6%

55.8%

27.1%

0.0%

25.0%

50.0%

Already give enough

Not aware of opportuni,es

No free ,me or excess financial

resources

Prefer dedica,ng to other causes


V. Segmented results – Male vs Female �

33

67.6%

26.1%

3.8%

1.3% 0.8%

0.4% Single (67.6%)

Married

Engaged

Divorced

Long term rela,onship

Widow (0.4%)

58.3% 35.6%

2.8%

2.8% 0.6%

Single (58.3%)

Married

Engaged

Divorced

Long term rela,onship

Widow (0.0%)

Marital status:

Male: Female:

  180 males and 238 females completed the survey


34

92.9%

7.1%

Yes

No


Male: Female:

88.9%

11.1%

Yes

No


35

78.6%

21.4%

Yes

No

78.6%

21.4%

Yes No

Are you proud to be part of the Washington Heights -‐ Mt Sinai Jewish Center community?:

Male: Female:


36

Please rate your overall saDsfacDon with the Washington Heights -‐ Mt Sinai Jewish Center community

0.6% 2.2% 6.7% 5.0%

8.3% 11.7%

23.9% 25.6%

10.6% 5.6%

1 Least 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Most

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%   Average: 6.79

MALE

0.8% 0.8% 2.5% 4.6% 8.8% 9.7%

27.7% 27.3%

13.9%

3.8%

1 Least 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Most

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%   Average: 7.06

FEMALE

V. Segmented results – Male vs Female�

37


Male

Female 49.6%

69.3% 65.5% 50.0%

23.9% 41.6%

21.8%

0.0%

40.0%

80.0%

48.9% 60.0% 55.6% 63.9%

33.3% 50.0%

20.0%

0.0%

40.0%

80.0%


38

77.3%

22.9%

Yes

No

77.2%

22.8%

Yes No

Are you a member of the Mt Sinai Jewish Center?

Male: Female:


39

50.8% 49.2% Yes

No 51.7%

48.3% Yes No

Do you consider yourself to be an acDve parDcipant in Mt Sinai acDviDes?

Male: Female:


40

84.9%

15.1%

Yes

No


Male: Female:

80.0%

20.0%

Yes

No


41


0.6% 2.2% 6.7% 5.0%

8.3% 11.7%

23.9% 25.6%

10.6% 5.6%

1 Least 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Most

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%   Average: 6.95

MALE

0.8% 0.8% 2.5% 4.6% 8.8% 9.7%

27.7% 27.3%

13.9%

3.8%

1 Least 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Most

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%   Average: 7.36

FEMALE


42

63.0%

37.0% Yes

No


Male: Female:

71.1%

28.9% Yes

No


43


57.2%

40.6%

71.7%

9.4%

63.1%

23.5%

55.1%

3.7% 0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%


Male Female

V. Segmented results – Single vs Married �

44


89.5%

10.5%

Single

Yes

No

93.7%

6.3%

Married

Yes

No

  266 single and 126 married people completed the survey


45


88.0%

12.0%

Single

Yes

No

92.1%

7.9%

Married

Yes

No

V. Segmented results – Single vs Married�

46

Please rate your overall saDsfacDon with the Washington Heights -‐ Mt Sinai Jewish Center community?

0.8% 1.5% 4.1% 5.6% 6.8% 12.4%

27.1% 25.6%

12.8%

3.4%

1 Least 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Most

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%   Average: 6.90

Single

0.8% 0.8% 4.8% 2.4%

12.7% 7.9%

24.6% 29.4%

11.1% 5.6%

1 Least 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Most

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%   Average: 7.00

Married

V. Segmented results – Single vs Married�

47


Single

Married

32.5% 44.4% 46.8% 55.6% 45.2% 51.6%

24.6%

0.0%

40.0%

80.0%

58.3% 74.8% 68.0%

55.6%

19.2% 41.0%

19.2%

0.0%

40.0%

80.0%


48

81.0%

19.0%

Yes

No

74.1%

25.9%

Yes No


Single: Married:


49

86.5%

13.5%

Yes

No

81.2%

18.8%

Yes No


Single: Married:


50


1.1% 0.8% 3.0% 3.4% 9.8% 11.3%

19.5% 25.2%

20.3%

5.6%

1 Least 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Most

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%   Average: 7.19

SINGLE

1.6% 2.4% 1.6% 2.4% 10.3% 10.3%

20.6%

31.0%

12.7% 7.1%

1 Least 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Most

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%   Average: 7.12

MARR

IED


51

61.1%

38.9% Yes

No

69.0%

30.1%

Yes No


Single: Married:


52


64.1%

25.8%

60.3%

4.8%

50.5%

40.2%

63.9%

7.2%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%


Single Married

V. Segmented results – Member vs Non-member �

53

82.1%

17.9%

Yes

No

93.8%

6.2%

Yes No

Are you happy living in the Washington Heights -‐ Mt Sinai Jewish Center community

Member: Non-‐member:

  323 members and 95 non-‐members completed the survey


54

50.5% 49.5% Yes

No

87.0%

13.0%

Yes No

Do you feel like you are part of the Washington Heights -‐ Mt Sinai Jewish Center community?



55

77.9%

22.1%

Yes

No

92.6%

7.4%

Yes No



56


Mem

ber

Non

-‐mem

ber

46.3% 65.3% 55.8% 54.7%

26.3% 45.3%

18.9%

0.0%

40.0%

80.0%

50.2% 65.3% 62.8% 56.3%

28.5% 45.2%

21.7%

0.0%

40.0%

80.0%



57

20.0%

80.0%

Yes

No 60.4%

39.6% Yes No

Do you consider yourself to be an acDve parDcipant in Mt Sinai acDviDes?



58

71.6%

28.4%

Yes

No

86.1%

13.9%

Yes No



V. Segmented results – Member vs Non-member�

59


1.2% 0.6% 0.6% 3.1% 6.5% 10.5% 19.5%

30.7% 20.4%

6.8%

1 Least 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Most

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0%

  Average: 7.46

Mem

ber

2.1% 3.2% 9.5%

4.2%

21.1%

9.5%

20.0%

12.6% 11.6% 6.3%

1 Least 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Most

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%   Average: 6.24

Non

-‐mem

ber


60

73.7%

26.3%

Yes

No

91.0%

9.0%

Yes No




61

67.4%

32.6% Yes

No 66.3%

33.7%

Yes No




62


62.3%

31.5%

63.0%

5.8%

54.4%

27.9%

58.8%

7.4%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%


Member Non-‐member

V. Segmented results - Active vs Non-active �

63

86.8%

13.2%

Yes

No

95.3%

4.7%

Yes No


AcDve: Non-‐acDve:

  214 people iden,fied themselves as “an ac,ve par,cipant in Mt Sinai ac,vi,es” while 204 iden,fied as non-‐ac,ve


64

63.7%

36.3% Yes

No

93.0%

7.0%

Yes No

Do you feel like you are part of the Washington Heights -‐ Mt Sinai Jewish Center community?



65

82.8%

17.2%

Yes

No

95.3%

4.7%

Yes No



V. Segmented results – Active vs Non-active �

66

Please rate your overall saDsfacDon with the Washington Heights -‐ Mt Sinai Jewish Center community?

0.0% 0.5% 0.9% 3.3% 4.7% 7.5%

26.6% 32.7%

17.3%

6.5%

1 Least 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Most

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0%

  Average: 7.54

AcDve

1.5% 2.5% 7.8% 6.4%

12.7% 13.7%

25.5% 20.1%

7.4% 2.5%

1 Least 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Most

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%   Average: 6.31

Non

-‐acDve

67


AcDve

Non

-‐acDve

46.6% 59.8% 58.3% 59.3%

29.4% 48.0%

16.7%

0.0%

40.0%

80.0%


51.9% 70.6% 64.0%

52.8% 26.6%

42.5% 25.2%

0.0%

40.0%

80.0%


68

62.7%

37.3% Yes

No

91.1%

8.9%

Yes No




69

73.5%

26.5%

Yes

No

91.6%

8.4%

Yes No



V. Segmented results – Active vs Non-active�

70


0.5% 0.0% 0.9% 2.3% 3.3% 9.3%

19.2%

30.8% 23.8%

9.8%

1 Least 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Most

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0%

  Average: 7.79

AcDve

2.5% 2.5% 4.4% 4.4%

16.7% 11.3%

20.1% 22.1%

12.7%

3.4%

1 Least 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Most

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%   Average: 6.55

Non

-‐acDve


71

79.9%

20.1%

Yes

No

93.9%

6.1%

Yes No




72

67.6%

32.4% Yes

No 65.4%

34.6%

Yes No




73


67.8%

28.7%

68.4%

6.4%

52.6%

33.1%

55.2%

5.8%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%


Ac,ve Non-‐ac,ve

74

What is your most favorite part of the community?

“I absolutely love Shabbos in WaHi and rarely want to go away because of the social dynamism of being here.”

“The friendly people, who are intellectual and serious about Judaism.”

“The ability for shul involvement and shul leadership.”

“Having friends, a community and a place where I feel apart of the community and not judged by my single status.”

“The community revolves around the shul, which allows it to s,ll feel like a community despite its growing size.”

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What is your least favorite part of the community? “That people aren't always welcoming to new people in the community, it takes a long ,me to meet new people, and the neighborhood is not conducive to mee,ng other singles except on Shabbos.”

“Some,mes it just feels too, too big.”

“Some,mes... the constant social scene is too much.”

“Some,mes it feels too large -‐ it can be overwhelming. Finding a way to make things more personal and 'homey' as a shul would be nice.”

“Shabbos crowd is not par,cularly serious about davening.”

“The community is very transient”

“The social hall can be really overwhelming aqer tefillah on shabbat.”

“The divide between the marrieds and the singles.”

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How did people meet their spouses in the Heights:�

“We met at a Shabbos meal and reconnected a couple of weeks later at a Mount Sinai event, following which we started da,ng.”

“We met at a shabbos meal, and again at Panoply.”

“Lived in same building.”

“At a Superbowl party with Mt Sinai people, and then at shul, meals, etc.

“We met 5 1/2 years ago on Rosh Hashana in the Shul's social hall aqer davening”

“We met at a meal and were friends for a few years before gevng engaged and married.”

“I met him at a meal. Then again at another one. Then again at another one un,l we finally talked to each other and he asked me out.”

“I met my spouse thru friends I made at Mt. Sinai”

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Mt Sinai Pulse Survey Report 2011