Mishpacha in the American Diaspora: An Exploratory Study of Highly-Involved Jewish Families

Both family and religion are important to a large majority of the population in the United States. In the last few decades, research on religious families has significantly increased. Empirical research on Jewish families, however, is scant. The purpose of this study is to explore contemporary American Jewish family life in relation to Judaism, both cultural and religious. Specifically, the two primary objectives of this study are 1) to examine how Jewish culture and religion may influence and shape Jewish family life; and 2) to examine how family relationships may influence observance of Jewish cultural or religious traditions. This reciprocal dynamic between family and Jewish culture and religion was examined by focusing on involvement in the Jewish community, the espousal of particular Jewish beliefs, and participation in certain Jewish practices, all in relation to the family. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with thirty highly involved Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and secular Jewish families from seven states. Grounded theory methods were employed to analyze the data. Five major themes that emerged from the data were presented: 1) Family Influences Jewish Community Involvement; 2) Community Involvement Influences Family Life, 3) Jewish Religious Beliefs and the Family, 4) Family Influences on Jewish Observance in the Home, and 5) Sabbath Observance in the Home. Implications for theory, research, and practice relating to both Jewish families and non-Jewish families in the United States are also discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Social Work

Grantor

Social Work

Year dc:date.available

2015

Author dc:creator

• Hatch, Trevan Glen

• qualitative methods
• Jewish families
• Family life

Statement dc:rights

• withheld
• Secure the entire work for patent and/or proprietary purposes for a period of one year. Student has submitted appropriate documentation which states: During this period the copyright owner also agrees not to exercise her/his ownership rights, including public use in works, without prior authorization from LSU. At the end of the one year period, either we or LSU may request an automatic extension for one additional year. At the end of the one year secure period (or its extension, if such is requested), the work will be released for access worldwide.

Identifier

etd-03122015-152520
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/519

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.lsu.edu:gradschool_dissertations-1518