Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Jews in U.S. Lead All Other Religious Groups in Donations to Charity

October 9, 1961
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

American Jews lead all other religious groups in this country in the amounts of money they donate to charities and to other individuals, according to the results of a survey announced here by Dr. James N. Morgan, professor of economics at the University of Michigan.

In donations to charities, 51 percent of America’s Jews contribute $50 or more annually, while among other religious groups the ratio is: Episcopalians, 43 percent; Lutherans, 25 percent; and Catholics, 20 percent, Forty-five percent of the Jews give $50 or more annually to other individuals, the ratio for some of the other groups being: Lutherans, 31 percent; Episcopalians, 28 percent; Catholics, 24 percent.

The survey shows, however, that Jews are lower than some of the other groups in giving to their religious institutions. In the category of church donations, Lutherans lead with 67 percent; Roman Catholics come next with 65 percent; Episcopalians follow with 63 percent; while the Jewish percentage is 55. The study found that people who attend their religious houses of worship give more to the church of their choice than those who do not attend their churches or synagogues.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement