Toronto’s Jews Rank Above Average in Education, Income; Most Segregated Ethnic Community, Least Assi

The Jewish population of Toronto, numbering slightly more than 100,000 ranks above average in income and education, is less likely than any other ethnic minority to assimilate and is residentially the most segregated ethnic community, apparently out of choice. That profile of Toronto Jewry was presented in a survey titled “Ethnic Residential Segregation in Metropolitan Toronto,” prepared by York University sociologist Anthony Richmond.

The survey found that Jews constitute five percent of all householders in Toronto; that 45 percent of them belong to a Conservative synagogue; 20 percent to a Reform and 19 percent to an Orthodox congregation. The remaining 16 percent reported no religious affiliation. The survey also noted that 45 percent of Toronto Jews are Canadian-born but only six percent were third or later generation Canadians.

Prof. Richmond reported that despite the large percentage of native born Jews, 39 percent gave Yiddish as their mother tongue against 46 percent who reported English. Thirty percent of the Jewish householders had more than 13 years of education and Jews were the most likely of any ethnic minority in Toronto to hold a university degree and less likely to report a technological qualification.

The Income for the average head of family employed in the metropolitan Toronto area was approximately $8700 according to the survey. Jews and residents of British (Anglo-Saxon) origin comprised the largest number of householders with incomes substantially above the average. Thirty-nine percent of the Jewish householders earn $10,000 or more. Of these, 16 percent earn at least $19,000. On the basis of total family earnings, 22 percent of the Jewish families earn $19,000 and higher.

JEWS REJECTED BY ‘ELITE’

According to an index of social prestige based on income, education and occupation, 15 percent of Jews and 10 percent of Anglo-Saxons are in the highest grade and nine percent of Anglo-Saxons and seven percent of Jews in the lowest. Nevertheless, Prof, Richmond reported, despite economic advances made by second and third generation Jews, they find themselves socially rejected by the city’s self-designated “elite.”

Furthermore, the author stated, “Positions of power within the economic system such as multiple corporation directorships may still be in the hands of a British or American dominated elite.” The survey reported that Toronto Jews showed a strong preference for living in their own areas and avoided close social contact with other groups or relationships which could lead to intermarriage.

Of the Jews in the Greater Toronto area, 65 percent live in one borough (North York). No other ethnic group showed such a high percentage of its homes in a single municipality. The survey showed further that 73 percent of all Jewish households are located in a continuous strip in the inner and outer suburbs. Only seven percent of all non-Jews live in the same area.

According to Prof. Richmond, only five percent of the Jews suggested that they preferred a Jewish neighborhood to preserve their culture and only six percent said they wanted the convenience of Jewish shops or institutions. But 36 percent of the Jews said residing in an exclusively Jewish area was due to a “need for security, belonging or feeling at home.” Fifty-one percent said they chose their place of residence because they prefer to live with people who share “similar opinions, beliefs and ways of life.”