New survey aims to chart UK shul membership for first time since Covid

Synagogues across the UK are being invited to take part in a membership survey to help experts understand how religious participation has changed since the start of the pandemic.

The Institute for Jewish Policy Research says it is the first time since Covid-19 broke out that it is conducting the exercise, which it says has taken place at intervals for several decades.

It will not only track denominational change over time but will also take a first look at how lockdowns may have affected this aspect of Jewish life, JPR said.

“The Synagogue Membership Survey is a critical study,” said the institute’s executive director Jonathan Boyd, “not only for understanding how synagogue membership is changing in the UK, but also because it is impossible to conduct a nationally representative survey of Jews without having accurate data on how the Jewish population breaks down by denomination.

“The study is part of the broader community statistics programme we run at JPR, which generates essential demographic data to support planning work across the country.

“We look forward to sharing our findings widely.”

JPR researchers say they expect to publish the results in early 2023, providing synagogues and synagogue movements with an understanding of the extent to which any changes in membership they are experiencing align with the broader national picture.

The results should also give community leaders and policymakers updated estimates to help them provide for their communities’ future needs.