1. World Jewish Demographics
Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism
ceo Conference – haslev, Denmark
Wes Taber
Life in Messiah International
Introduction:

2. Challenges in Jewish Demographics
“Who is a Jew?” (Definition of people group)
People are transient
Data collection methodologies vary
Birth and death rates, emigration and immigration, “passages” (people joining or leaving a subgroup by choice)
“Who is a Jew?”: For a people group to be enumerated, a clearly understood definition of who belongs to that group is imperative. We are each familiar with the rather complicated question: “Who is a Jew?” Although leaders among the Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstruction denominations may not agree on many substantive matters, they are united in rejecting among the whole of Israel, Yeshua-believing Jewish men and women. Our Messianic community is familiar with this. The question is a matter of continuing concern in Israel and is not uniformly answered in the Diaspora. Further, “Who is a Jew” is not a “Jewish” question, as Gentiles frequently seek explanation to this question.
2. People are transient: Especially in today’s world, it seems few people remain in the same place for extended periods of time. This has shown to be particularly true in Jewish history. Sadly, we are today seeing this transience continue as record numbers of French-Jewish citizens are moving to Israel, due to increasing anti-Semitism in France.
Because people are transient, double counting (being included both at home and a temporary residence), or missing the count (being away when a survey is conducted) are both very viable possibilities.
3. Data collection methodologies vary: Collecting demographic data is tedious and comes at a steep cost. Several methods exist, each with pros and cons, but none of them perfect. Sometimes a demographic number is simply a community leader’s “best guess,” so many times “approximate” numbers are registered.
Other challenges to consider include:
4. Birth & Death rates, emigration and immigration and “passages” (people joining or leaving a subgroup by choice), which for the purposes of this paper includes Gentile conversations to Judaism, or Jewish people formally aligning with Christianity and/or Islam.

3. Jewish Identity Definitions
To have an accurate count, it is important to know whom we are counting. Here is a chart representing four categories used by Professor DellaPergola’s team to collate data. [Be aware this information is representative of the Diaspora only. Israel applies its own (stricter) legal definition of “who is a Jew” which includes "matrilineal Jewish origin, or conversion to Judaism, and not holding another (presumably monotheistic) religion.“
Let’s take a moment to define this four groups so the following figures can be best understood.
Figure 1: Configuring contemporary Jewish populations (not shown proportional to actual).
Representative of Diaspora only*

4. Jewish Identity Definitions
The “core” Jewish population: those who “identified themselves as Jews; or who are identified as Jews by a respondent in the same household, and do NOT have another monotheistic religion.”
Beginning with the innermost circle….The “core” Jewish population definition: In Diaspora countries, the “core” Jewish population consists of those who “identified themselves as Jews; or who are identified as Jews by a respondent in the same household, and do not have another monotheistic religion.” Inclusion in this group is not dependent upon an individual’s strict (or even loose) observance of or commitment to Judaism, affinity for our knowledge of things Jewish, community involvement, etc. This group embraces those who observe Judaism, but also includes those who self-identify as Jews by ethnicity or other cultural criteria. All converts to Judaism and those who claim to be Jewish aside from conversion are also in. And those who are descended from Jewish parents, but do not self-identify as “Jewish” still may be included in the core. Alignment with Yeshua/Messianic faith is sufficient for exclusion in the core group of Jews by Jewish demographers.

5. Jewish Identity Definitions
“Enlarged” Jewish population: sum of: the core Jewish population; persons reporting they are partly Jewish; all others of Jewish parentage who – by core Jewish population criteria – are not currently Jewish; and all respective non-Jewish household members.
“Enlarged” Jewish population definition: This group includes the “sum of: the core Jewish population; persons reporting they are partly Jewish; all others of Jewish parentage who – by core Jewish population criteria – are not currently Jewish; and all respective non-Jewish household members.

6. Jewish Identity Definitions
Non-Jews with Jewish background: (a) persons who have adopted another religion, or otherwise opted out, although they may claim to be also Jewish by ethnicity or in some other way…; and (b) other persons with Jewish parentage (PJBs) who disclaim being Jewish.
“Non-Jews with Jewish Background” definition: these are persons who have adopted another religion, or otherwise opted out, although they may claim to be also Jewish by ethnicity or in some other way….; and other persons with Jewish parentage who disclaim being Jewish.

7. Jewish Identity Definitions
Law of return: one who was born to a Jewish mother OR converted to any form of Judaism AND who has NOT joined another (presumably monotheistic) religion.
Law of Return definition: Since its enactment in 1950, the “Law of Return” has guided Israel’s Ministry of Interior in handling applications of new immigrants. According to Israel’s current Law of Return, a Jew is one who was born to a Jewish mother OR converted to any form of Judaism AND who has NOT joined another (presumably monotheistic) religion. The “Law of Return applies to a large population – the so called aliyah eligible – whose scope is significantly wider than the core and enlarged Jewish populations.

8. Jewish Identity Definitions
“Jewish ancestry ever” definition: includes “lost Jewish communities,” with the most visible the Beta Israel (Ethiopian non-Jews of Jewish ancestry”
“Jewish Ancestry Ever” definition: This group includes the “lost Jewish communities,” with the most visible people among this definition the Beta Israel, or the Ethiopian non-Jews of Jewish ancestry” They are the largest in number of “converted” immigrants to Israel – comprising more than half the number of non-Jews in the Land who have formally adopted Judaism. However, the Ethiopian immigrant tide is almost ending – the number of conversion certificates to Beta Israel individuals has declined from 5,538 in 2007 to 2,269 in 2012.

9. Sources American Jewish Yearbook 2016
Sergio DellaPergola, Hebrew University professor
Focuses on Jewry regionally as well as globally
Includes studies by professional demographers
Published annually, updated data as available
We’ve chosen the American Jewish Yearbook 2014 as the baseline of this paper for several reasons:
Sergio DellaPergola, the main author, is a Hebrew University professor and recognized expert in this field
Focuses on Jewry regionally as well as globally
Includes studies by professional demographers undertaken for specific communities or nations
Clear and reliable data collection methods
Published annually, includes updated data as it is available

10. American Jewish Yearbook 2016
Beginning of 2016 – world’s Jewish population estimated 14,412,200
Increase of 100,000 (0.70 %) over the 2014 revised estimate.
World’s total population increased by 1.38 % in 2015, world Jewry increased at about half the general population growth rate.
We’ve chosen the American Jewish Yearbook 2014 as the baseline of this paper for several reasons:
Sergio DellaPergola, the main author, is a Hebrew University professor and recognized expert in this field
Focuses on Jewry regionally as well as globally
Includes studies by professional demographers undertaken for specific communities or nations
Clear and reliable data collection methods
Published annually, includes updated data as it is available

11. American Jewish Yearbook 2016
Jewish population highly concentrated in two countries, Israel (44% of the world total) and the US (40%); 10% Europe, 5% other in North and Latin America, and 2% in other continents.
Diaspora stagnation or decline: low birth rates, frequent intermarriage, aging, and emigration. Tens of communities now below critical mass needed to sustain community institutions.
We’ve chosen the American Jewish Yearbook 2014 as the baseline of this paper for several reasons:
Sergio DellaPergola, the main author, is a Hebrew University professor and recognized expert in this field
Focuses on Jewry regionally as well as globally
Includes studies by professional demographers undertaken for specific communities or nations
Clear and reliable data collection methods
Published annually, includes updated data as it is available

12. Jewish Data Bank – USA
“The trends that are affecting mainstream Christian groups in the US are affecting American Jews as well.“
Current Pew finding: 23% of US adults identify as atheists, agnostics, or "nothing in particular"
Paralleled in Pew Research Center's a portrait of Jewish Americans (2013), which found that 22% of Jews were “Jews of no religion.”
Non-Christian adult groups increased from , notably Muslims (0.4 to 0.9%), Hindus (0.4 to 0.7%), and Jews (1.7 to 1.9%).
We’ve chosen the American Jewish Yearbook 2014 as the baseline of this paper for several reasons:
Sergio DellaPergola, the main author, is a Hebrew University professor and recognized expert in this field
Focuses on Jewry regionally as well as globally
Includes studies by professional demographers undertaken for specific communities or nations
Clear and reliable data collection methods
Published annually, includes updated data as it is available
Jewishdatabank.org -- Pew findings

13. Sources Jewish Virtual Library
The American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise (AICE), established 1993 “to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship by emphasizing … the values our nations share.”
Information about Jewish history, Israel, U.S.-Israel relations, the Holocaust, anti-Semitism and Judaism. (16,000+ articles and 7,000+ images)
On Independence Day 2017 Israel's population stood at a record 8,680,000.  This is a 10-fold increase compared to when Israel was founded in  
Diversity & Growth
The Jewish population makes up 6,484,000 (74.7%); 1,808,000 (20.8%) are Arabs; and, those identified as "others" (non-Arab Christians, Baha'i, etc) make up 4.5% of the population (388,000 people). When the state was established, there were only 806,000 residents and the total population reached its first and second millions in 1949 and 1958 respectively. Judging by current population trend data, experts predict that the population of Israel will reach 10 million by 2025 or sooner.
The overall population grew by 159,000, a 1.9% increase, between May 2016 and May  
Out of the 14.3 million Jewish people in the world, 43% reside in Israel. 
Israel is the 99th most populous country in the world, not including the over 250,000 illegal foreign workers and African migrants residing in Israel. 
Of Israeli Jews, 44% self-identify as Secular, 11% simply as religious, and 9% as Ultra-Orthodox.  

14. Sources Jewish Virtual Library – May 20, 2017 (Yom Ha’atzma’ut)
Israel’s total population = 8,680,000 (10x 1948)
Jewish population = 6,484,000 (74.7%)
Arabs = 1,808,000 (20.8%)
“Others" (non-Arab Christians, Baha'i, etc.) = 388,000 (4.5%)
On Independence Day 2017 Israel's population stood at a record 8,680,000.  This is a 10-fold increase compared to when Israel was founded in  
Diversity & Growth
The Jewish population makes up 6,484,000 (74.7%); 1,808,000 (20.8%) are Arabs; and, those identified as "others" (non-Arab Christians, Baha'i, etc) make up 4.5% of the population (388,000 people). When the state was established, there were only 806,000 residents and the total population reached its first and second millions in 1949 and 1958 respectively. Judging by current population trend data, experts predict that the population of Israel will reach 10 million by 2025 or sooner.
The overall population grew by 159,000, a 1.9% increase, between May 2016 and May  
Out of the 14.3 million Jewish people in the world, 43% reside in Israel. 
Israel is the 99th most populous country in the world, not including the over 250,000 illegal foreign workers and African migrants residing in Israel. 
Of Israeli Jews, 44% self-identify as Secular, 11% simply as religious, and 9% as Ultra-Orthodox.  
Jewish Virtual Library -- latest Israel population statistics

15. Current Realities
Globally, Jewish people are concentrated in metropolitan areas.
Slightly more than half (52.9%) of the global Jewish population at present resides in these five major metro areas:
1. Tel Aviv Haifa
2. New York Los Angeles
3. Jerusalem -
Unsurprisingly, Jewish populations are concentrated in major urban areas. Given the reality that 83% of world Jewry resides in Israel and the United States, we might expect the top five cities to be in these two countries. Perhaps it will surprise some to learn that slightly more than half (52.9%) of the global Jewish population at present resides in these five major metro areas: Tel Aviv, New York, Jerusalem, Haifa, and Los Angeles.
Of the 17 largest metropolitan areas of Jewish residence, nine were located in the US, four in Israel, and one each in France, the UK, Canada, and Argentina. Nearly all the major areas of settlement of contemporary Jewish populations share distinct features, such as being a national or regional capital, enjoying a higher standard of living, with a highly developed infrastructure for higher education, and widespread transnational connections.
I’d also like to note that among the world’s second largest Jewish population, the United States…. Three notable cities have experienced significant increases in Jewish populations: Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and St. Louis, Missouri. For example, Between 1995 and 2014, St. Louis experienced a 14% increase in their Jewish population. Please reference the paper for additional information regarding these increases.

16. Current Realities European Jews remain uncertain about the future.
Institute of Jewish Policy Research Director Jonathan Boyd: ““It is clear that Jews in parts of Europe are genuinely concerned about their future, most likely because of antisemitism, but the levels of anxiety and apprehension are nowhere near those experienced during previous periods of intense stress, like the 1930s and 1940s.
Unsurprisingly, Jewish populations are concentrated in major urban areas. Given the reality that 83% of world Jewry resides in Israel and the United States, we might expect the top five cities to be in these two countries. Perhaps it will surprise some to learn that slightly more than half (52.9%) of the global Jewish population at present resides in these five major metro areas: Tel Aviv, New York, Jerusalem, Haifa, and Los Angeles.
Of the 17 largest metropolitan areas of Jewish residence, nine were located in the US, four in Israel, and one each in France, the UK, Canada, and Argentina. Nearly all the major areas of settlement of contemporary Jewish populations share distinct features, such as being a national or regional capital, enjoying a higher standard of living, with a highly developed infrastructure for higher education, and widespread transnational connections.
I’d also like to note that among the world’s second largest Jewish population, the United States…. Three notable cities have experienced significant increases in Jewish populations: Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and St. Louis, Missouri. For example, Between 1995 and 2014, St. Louis experienced a 14% increase in their Jewish population. Please reference the paper for additional information regarding these increases.
The Guardian: rise in Euro Jews leaving for Israel

17. Current Realities European Jews remain uncertain about the future.
4% of Jews in Belgium and France had left for Israel between 2010 and The proportion leaving from the UK, Germany and Sweden was between 0.6% and 1.7%.
Unsurprisingly, Jewish populations are concentrated in major urban areas. Given the reality that 83% of world Jewry resides in Israel and the United States, we might expect the top five cities to be in these two countries. Perhaps it will surprise some to learn that slightly more than half (52.9%) of the global Jewish population at present resides in these five major metro areas: Tel Aviv, New York, Jerusalem, Haifa, and Los Angeles.
Of the 17 largest metropolitan areas of Jewish residence, nine were located in the US, four in Israel, and one each in France, the UK, Canada, and Argentina. Nearly all the major areas of settlement of contemporary Jewish populations share distinct features, such as being a national or regional capital, enjoying a higher standard of living, with a highly developed infrastructure for higher education, and widespread transnational connections.
I’d also like to note that among the world’s second largest Jewish population, the United States…. Three notable cities have experienced significant increases in Jewish populations: Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and St. Louis, Missouri. For example, Between 1995 and 2014, St. Louis experienced a 14% increase in their Jewish population. Please reference the paper for additional information regarding these increases.

18. Current Realities European Jews remain uncertain about the future.
Human Rights First report: “antisemitic incidents in France doubled from 423 in 2014 to 851 in and were becoming increasingly violent.
UK’s Community Security Trust: 11% increase in antisemitic incidents in Britain in the first six months of 2016.
Unsurprisingly, Jewish populations are concentrated in major urban areas. Given the reality that 83% of world Jewry resides in Israel and the United States, we might expect the top five cities to be in these two countries. Perhaps it will surprise some to learn that slightly more than half (52.9%) of the global Jewish population at present resides in these five major metro areas: Tel Aviv, New York, Jerusalem, Haifa, and Los Angeles.
Of the 17 largest metropolitan areas of Jewish residence, nine were located in the US, four in Israel, and one each in France, the UK, Canada, and Argentina. Nearly all the major areas of settlement of contemporary Jewish populations share distinct features, such as being a national or regional capital, enjoying a higher standard of living, with a highly developed infrastructure for higher education, and widespread transnational connections.
I’d also like to note that among the world’s second largest Jewish population, the United States…. Three notable cities have experienced significant increases in Jewish populations: Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and St. Louis, Missouri. For example, Between 1995 and 2014, St. Louis experienced a 14% increase in their Jewish population. Please reference the paper for additional information regarding these increases.

19. Current Realities US Senate Bill re: European anti-Semitism – Jan. ‘17
.According to reporting by the European Union agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), between 2005 and 2014, anti-Semitic incidents increased in France from 508 to 851; in Germany from 60 to 173; in Belgium from 58 to 130; in Italy from 49 to 86; and in the United Kingdom from 459 to 1,168.
Bill sponsored by Marco Rubio “to require continued and enhanced annual reporting to Congress in the Annual Report on International Religious Freedom on anti-Semitic incidents in Europe, the safety and security of European Jewish communities, and the efforts of the United States to partner with European governments, the European Union, and civil society groups, to combat anti-Semitism, and for other purposes.”

20. Current Realities European Jews remain uncertain about the future.
“The near-total disappearance of Jewish pupils from France and Belgium’s public schools due to anti-Semitic harassment…. The alternative of sending them to a distant Jewish school that is under the constant protection…also comes with problems. After the 2012 murder of four Jews at a Jewish school in Toulouse, enrolling them in a Jewish school feels like turning them into a target.”
I’m Jewish and I just became an EU citizen. It feels a little like boarding the Titanic.
Times of Israel blog – MAY 3, 2017
The Dutch March elections saw a radical Muslim party, DENK, enter parliament for the first time. The party is opposed to integration, and its leader refused to shake Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hand during a recent visit to The Hague. DENK received 210,000 votes, including half of the ballots in Schilderswijk.

21. Current Realities American Jews concerned about the future.
Anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. surged more than one-third in 2016 and have jumped 86 percent in the first quarter of 2017
“a massive increase in the amount of harassment of American Jews, particularly since November, and a doubling in the amount of anti-Semitic bullying and vandalism at non-denominational K-12 grade schools”.
Unsurprisingly, Jewish populations are concentrated in major urban areas. Given the reality that 83% of world Jewry resides in Israel and the United States, we might expect the top five cities to be in these two countries. Perhaps it will surprise some to learn that slightly more than half (52.9%) of the global Jewish population at present resides in these five major metro areas: Tel Aviv, New York, Jerusalem, Haifa, and Los Angeles.
Of the 17 largest metropolitan areas of Jewish residence, nine were located in the US, four in Israel, and one each in France, the UK, Canada, and Argentina. Nearly all the major areas of settlement of contemporary Jewish populations share distinct features, such as being a national or regional capital, enjoying a higher standard of living, with a highly developed infrastructure for higher education, and widespread transnational connections.
I’d also like to note that among the world’s second largest Jewish population, the United States…. Three notable cities have experienced significant increases in Jewish populations: Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and St. Louis, Missouri. For example, Between 1995 and 2014, St. Louis experienced a 14% increase in their Jewish population. Please reference the paper for additional information regarding these increases.

22. Current Realities American Jews reclaiming German citizenship.
in the first quarter of 2016, 13 people of Jewish origin reclaimed their German citizenship through the Boston consulate. That number nearly quadrupled — to 49 — in the first quarter of 2017.
Unsurprisingly, Jewish populations are concentrated in major urban areas. Given the reality that 83% of world Jewry resides in Israel and the United States, we might expect the top five cities to be in these two countries. Perhaps it will surprise some to learn that slightly more than half (52.9%) of the global Jewish population at present resides in these five major metro areas: Tel Aviv, New York, Jerusalem, Haifa, and Los Angeles.
Of the 17 largest metropolitan areas of Jewish residence, nine were located in the US, four in Israel, and one each in France, the UK, Canada, and Argentina. Nearly all the major areas of settlement of contemporary Jewish populations share distinct features, such as being a national or regional capital, enjoying a higher standard of living, with a highly developed infrastructure for higher education, and widespread transnational connections.
I’d also like to note that among the world’s second largest Jewish population, the United States…. Three notable cities have experienced significant increases in Jewish populations: Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and St. Louis, Missouri. For example, Between 1995 and 2014, St. Louis experienced a 14% increase in their Jewish population. Please reference the paper for additional information regarding these increases.

23. Current Realities Jewish Metropolitan Areas in USA
Community Number of Jews
1 New York 1,538,000
2 Los Angeles ,200
3 Chicago ,800
4 Boston ,100
5 San Francisco ,800
Unsurprisingly, Jewish populations are concentrated in major urban areas. Given the reality that 83% of world Jewry resides in Israel and the United States, we might expect the top five cities to be in these two countries. Perhaps it will surprise some to learn that slightly more than half (52.9%) of the global Jewish population at present resides in these five major metro areas: Tel Aviv, New York, Jerusalem, Haifa, and Los Angeles.
Of the 17 largest metropolitan areas of Jewish residence, nine were located in the US, four in Israel, and one each in France, the UK, Canada, and Argentina. Nearly all the major areas of settlement of contemporary Jewish populations share distinct features, such as being a national or regional capital, enjoying a higher standard of living, with a highly developed infrastructure for higher education, and widespread transnational connections.
I’d also like to note that among the world’s second largest Jewish population, the United States…. Three notable cities have experienced significant increases in Jewish populations: Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and St. Louis, Missouri. For example, Between 1995 and 2014, St. Louis experienced a 14% increase in their Jewish population. Please reference the paper for additional information regarding these increases.

24. Current Realities Jewish Metropolitan Areas in USA
Community Number of Jews
6 Washington ,600
7 Philadelphia ,600
8 Broward County 170,700
9 Atlanta ,800
10 Miami ,000
Unsurprisingly, Jewish populations are concentrated in major urban areas. Given the reality that 83% of world Jewry resides in Israel and the United States, we might expect the top five cities to be in these two countries. Perhaps it will surprise some to learn that slightly more than half (52.9%) of the global Jewish population at present resides in these five major metro areas: Tel Aviv, New York, Jerusalem, Haifa, and Los Angeles.
Of the 17 largest metropolitan areas of Jewish residence, nine were located in the US, four in Israel, and one each in France, the UK, Canada, and Argentina. Nearly all the major areas of settlement of contemporary Jewish populations share distinct features, such as being a national or regional capital, enjoying a higher standard of living, with a highly developed infrastructure for higher education, and widespread transnational connections.
I’d also like to note that among the world’s second largest Jewish population, the United States…. Three notable cities have experienced significant increases in Jewish populations: Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and St. Louis, Missouri. For example, Between 1995 and 2014, St. Louis experienced a 14% increase in their Jewish population. Please reference the paper for additional information regarding these increases.

25. Current Realities Boston
"Greater Boston is the fourth-largest US Jewish community with 248,000 Jews: 190,600 adults and 57,400 children residing in 123,400 households.
Population increase of approximately 4.6% since There are also 61,200 non-Jews living in Jewish households."
Unsurprisingly, Jewish populations are concentrated in major urban areas. Given the reality that 83% of world Jewry resides in Israel and the United States, we might expect the top five cities to be in these two countries. Perhaps it will surprise some to learn that slightly more than half (52.9%) of the global Jewish population at present resides in these five major metro areas: Tel Aviv, New York, Jerusalem, Haifa, and Los Angeles.
Of the 17 largest metropolitan areas of Jewish residence, nine were located in the US, four in Israel, and one each in France, the UK, Canada, and Argentina. Nearly all the major areas of settlement of contemporary Jewish populations share distinct features, such as being a national or regional capital, enjoying a higher standard of living, with a highly developed infrastructure for higher education, and widespread transnational connections.
I’d also like to note that among the world’s second largest Jewish population, the United States…. Three notable cities have experienced significant increases in Jewish populations: Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and St. Louis, Missouri. For example, Between 1995 and 2014, St. Louis experienced a 14% increase in their Jewish population. Please reference the paper for additional information regarding these increases.

26. Current Realities Boston
Demographics: Israelis (8% of adults), Russian-born and Russian-speaking (7% of adults), and LGBTQ communities (7% of adults).“
Half of Greater Boston’s Jews do not identify with a Jewish denomination.
Unsurprisingly, Jewish populations are concentrated in major urban areas. Given the reality that 83% of world Jewry resides in Israel and the United States, we might expect the top five cities to be in these two countries. Perhaps it will surprise some to learn that slightly more than half (52.9%) of the global Jewish population at present resides in these five major metro areas: Tel Aviv, New York, Jerusalem, Haifa, and Los Angeles.
Of the 17 largest metropolitan areas of Jewish residence, nine were located in the US, four in Israel, and one each in France, the UK, Canada, and Argentina. Nearly all the major areas of settlement of contemporary Jewish populations share distinct features, such as being a national or regional capital, enjoying a higher standard of living, with a highly developed infrastructure for higher education, and widespread transnational connections.
I’d also like to note that among the world’s second largest Jewish population, the United States…. Three notable cities have experienced significant increases in Jewish populations: Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and St. Louis, Missouri. For example, Between 1995 and 2014, St. Louis experienced a 14% increase in their Jewish population. Please reference the paper for additional information regarding these increases.

27. Current Realities Conversion
Ellen Gerecht, National Center to Encourage Judaism: “Jews haven’t proselytized in the past because they weren’t in a strong enough position to. But things have changed. If Jews don’t spread their religion now Judaism simply will not survive.”

28. Current Realities Conversion
Lubavitcher rebbe’s stance (video at 1:00):
/aid/878374/jewish/Welcome-Home.htm

29. Current Realities Conversion
Over the last seven years, approximately 1,275 conversions have been certified by conversion courts affiliated with the Rabbinical Council of America, but plenty of Orthodox conversions take place outside the RCA’s system.

30. Current Realities Who is converting? Spiritual seekers
Non-Jews dating Jews
Gentiles drawn to Judaism through friends
Those who converted through other Jewish denominations, including individuals raised in non- Orthodox households who realized they don’t count as Jewish according to Orthodox Jewish law.

31. Current Realities “Lost” and dying Jewish communities

32. Current Realities
“In a remote corner of the Indonesian archipelago, a modest synagogue stands in a tiny Jewish community that has found acceptance despite rising intolerance in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country. “The red-roofed building on Sulawesi island is the only synagogue in the nation of 255 million people. Here, unlike other parts of the country, the Jewish community feel safe to practise their faith openly.” [About 200 Indonesian Jews.]
The UIJC estimate there are around 200 practising the faith in the country, believed to be the descendants of traders from Europe and Iraq who came to Asia to trade. The organisation was set up to bring the nation's Jews together.
The Jewish population in Indonesia is believed to have peaked at around 3,000 in the years before World War II, according to Rotem Kowner, a professor from the University of Haifa in Israel.

33. Implications of this data for us?
1. How much should population data influence our strategic plans? A. Given the reality that more than half the world’s Jewish population is concentrated in five metropolitan areas, to what extent should gospel proclamation be centered in those cities? B. Do smaller Jewish communities (and perhaps more remote, as in far-east Russia) tend to be less gospel resistant?

34. Implications of this data for us?
1. How much should population data influence our strategic plans?
C. How much more open to the gospel are transient people (e.g., new immigrants, backpacking Israeli youth)?
D. How many places in the world have a Chabad house but no gospel proclamation?

35. Implications of this data for us?
2. In Israel, what should we be doing more (or differently), given the realities that:
A. Global population shifts likely will continue to increase the percentage of world Jewry living in the land?
B. The percentage of observant Jews (orthodox and haredim) continues to rise?

36. Implications of this data for us?
3. How will our evangelistic zeal, commitment, methods, etc., be affected by shifting attitudes in: A. The global Jewish community, including I. Increasing active opposition to the gospel (in terms of “anti-missionary” preparation and training, as well as methodologies, especially where Jewish populations are concentrated)? Ii. Growing acceptance of Messianic Jews (on the part of some)?

37. Implications of this data for us?
3. How will our evangelistic zeal, commitment, methods, etc., Be affected by shifting attitudes in:
B. The Evangelical church (perhaps especially in the U.S. Where “anti-Christian Zionism” may cloak a waning concern for the salvation of Jewish people)?
C. The wider (gentile) world, with anti-Israel and anti- Semitic sentiments and actions?

38. Implications of this data for us?
4. What are the implications for the gospel of: A. The increasing secularization among the Jewish populations in the diaspora? B. The growing divide between haredim and hilonim (seculars) in Israel?

39. Implications of this data for us?
5. What more we can do together to tackle the larger and more difficult challenges in Jewish evangelism?

40. strategies?
What about “halfway” houses for ex-haredim, e.g.? (Language acquisition, job skills, community.)
What about “pearls on the necklace” of trekking Israelis (e.g,, Andes, India, China)
How do we identify new attractive locations (e.g., Tblisi in Georgia)?