Philadelphia, PA, March 3, 2010 -- It’s been 13 years since the last Jewish Population Study in the Philadelphia area was conducted, and significant changes have occurred.   Results of the 2009 Jewish Population Study have recently been released, commissioned by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and conducted by the Center for Urban Health Policy and Research at Albert Einstein Healthcare Network.  The “Jewish census,” conducted in the five-county Greater Philadelphia region, was designed to assess the size, demographics, financial and social service needs, household dynamics, patterns of mobility and religious identity of the Jewish community.  The study consisted of more than 1,200 telephone surveys to Jewish households, conducted from March to June in 2009. 

Key results of the study include the following: 
• Despite early predictions, the Greater Philadelphia Jewish population has increased by about ten percent to 214,700, since the last population study 13 years ago; however, the number of children under 18 has significantly decreased by 16 percent since that time, from 41,000 to about 37,000. 
• The study found that the community is largely well-educated and very charitable, supporting Jewish and non-Jewish organizations as both donors and volunteers. 
• As for financial status, 22 percent of all Jewish households earn more than $150,000, 14 percent earn less than $25,000, and 26 percent said they were “just managing to make ends meet.” 
• As reflected in the general population, there’s a large concentration of older Jewish adults, many of whom are living longer and will require more support and services to live independently in their own homes.    

According to Ira M. Schwartz, the Federation’s Chief Executive Officer, Einstein successfully won the bid for the project after a highly competitive Request For Proposal (RFP) process.  “I’d like to commend Etienne Phipps, PhD, from Einstein’s Center for Urban Health Policy and Research, who served as the study’s Project Director, along with her team, for doing an exhaustive and thorough analysis of our community,” said Mr. Schwartz.  

Dr. Phipps engaged two research and survey firms, Social Science Research Solutions (SSRS) and Groeneman Research and Consulting, Inc., who worked with her team including Shana Stites, MS, and Erin Kulik, MPH, on the study.  SSRS conducted a telephone survey with members of Jewish households throughout the area.  More than 132,000 phone numbers were dialed towards the goal of completing 1,200 interviews.   

“This study will be an invaluable planning and assessment tool, and the data will guide our allocations process in ways that best serve the community’s needs; enhance our strategic philanthropy efforts and help us identify and engage volunteer leadership,” said Federation President Len Barrack.  Barrack terms the study a “work in progress” and notes that the Federation will continue to analyze the findings to determine the impact and implications on Federation’s priorities, for both the present and the future.

 “I’m so pleased with the successful collaboration between the Jewish Federation and Albert Einstein Healthcare Network on this study, which will impact community organizations, including hospitals, schools and nursing homes,” said Barry R. Freedman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Einstein network.   “The project provided an opportunity to strengthen the historic bond between Einstein and the Federation and work together to serve our community.” 
The complete results of the 2009 Jewish Population Study of Greater Philadelphia are posted on the Jewish Federation’s web site:  www.jewishphilly.org/population.


About Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network is a 1,200 bed integrated delivery network with nearly 7,400 employees serving the communities of North Philadelphia and Montgomery County, PA. The network’s primary location, Albert Einstein Medical Center, is the largest independent academic medical center in the Delaware Valley.  The Einstein network also provides a comprehensive range of healthcare services through the Einstein at Elkins Park hospital campus, MossRehab, Belmont Behavioral Health, Einstein at Germantown, Willow Terrace (a nursing home), Willowcrest (a center for subacute care), outpatient facilities such as Center One and Einstein Neighborhood Healthcare, and a network of primary care and specialist practices throughout the community. For more information, visit www.einstein.edu or call 1-800-EINSTEIN.

CONTACT: Judy Horwitz
Communications Specialist
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
215-456-6767
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