JPPI 2017 Dialogue Seminar Questionnaire

Jerusalem and the Jewish People: Unity and Divisions

                                                                      

Please take 10 minutes to answer the following questions. For each question, circle the one answer that is closest to your own view.

 

1. To what extent does each of the following characteristics makes Jerusalem special for you (1 – not at all significant, 4 – highly significant):

 

Jerusalem’s spirituality	1	2	3	4
Jerusalem’s history	1	2	3	4
Jerusalem’s status as Israel’s capital	1	2	3	4
Jerusalem’s religious significance	1	2	3	4
Jerusalem’s culture	1	2	3	4
Jerusalem’s social fabric	1	2	3	4
Jerusalem’s city life	1	2	3	4
Jerusalem’s landscape and scenery	1	2	3	4

 

2. From what you know/have heard/have seen contemporary Jerusalem is:

 

1. Developing in the right direction.
2. Developing in the wrong direction.

 

2b. If your answer is “wrong direction” please circle the one main reason for your negative assessment:

 

Jewish-Arab relations

Level of religious pluralism

Economic situation

Jewish Demographic trends

Material state of the city

Cultural vibrancy (Insufficient)

Religious vibrancy (Insufficient)

Other, specify   ——————

 

 

3. Jerusalem’s non-Jewish population has been growing in recent decades and currently constitutes more than a third of Jerusalem’s total population. Do you view this development as:

 

	Strongly agree	Somewhat agree	Somewhat disagree	Strongly disagree
A positive development as it gives Jews and Arabs the opportunity to live together.
A positive development as it makes the city more diverse.
A problem. I prefer that Jerusalem have a clear Jewish majority.
A problem, since binational Jerusalem is likely to produce violence.
It does not matter; the city will eventually be divided anyhow.

 

4. Jerusalem’s ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) population has been growing in recent decades and currently constitutes more than a third of Jerusalem’s Jewish residents. Do you view this development as:

 

	Strongly agree	Somewhat agree	Somewhat disagree	Strongly disagree
A positive development as it gives Jews of various types the opportunity to live together.
A positive development as it makes the city more diverse.
An economic problem for the future of the city (as this Haredi population has low employment and high poverty rates).
If this trend continues, Jerusalem will not be a pluralistic city that is hospitable to Jews of all streams and denominations.

 

5. Last year, in what was described as a historic move toward recognition of progressive Judaism, the Israeli government voted to establish an egalitarian prayer space at the Western Wall (Kotel). The decision was never implemented because of ultra-Orthodox political resistance. Which one of the following most accurately reflects your opinion?

 

1. There should be no change in the status quo. Prayer near the Kotel should be according to Orthodox custom.
2. Ideally, all Jews should be able to pray at the Kotel as per their own beliefs and customs, but I accept that this issue is not a priority for Israel.
3. All Jews should be able to pray at the Kotel as per their own beliefs and customs, and this should be a priority for Israel.

 

 

6. Please rank the level of attachment you feel to the following places.

(1 –  “not at all connected” and 4 –  “very connected”)

 

Jerusalem	1	2	3	4
The Old City of Jerusalem	1	2	3	4
The Kotel (Western Wall)	1	2	3	4
Temple Mount (Har HaBait)	1	2	3	4
Israel	1	2	3	4
Tel Aviv	1	2	3	4
Hebron	1	2	3	4

 

 

7. To what extent do you agree/disagree with the following statements?

 

	Strongly agree	Somewhat agree	Somewhat disagree	Strongly disagree
In the framework of a permanent peace with the Palestinians, if satisfied with the rest of the agreement, Israel should be willing to compromise on the status of Jerusalem as a united city under Israeli jurisdiction
Jerusalem should never be divided
All countries ought to move their embassies to Jerusalem
Jerusalem is a city of peace
I am willing to let an international force rule the “Holy Basin” of Jerusalem
The Temple Mount must remain under Israeli jurisdiction

 

8. Thinking about Israel-Diaspora relations, do you generally believe that (choose only one answer):

 

1. Israel should decide how the political future of Jerusalem ought to look without regard to the views of Jews living outside of Israel.
2. Israel should consider the views of non-Israeli Jews mostly because its decisions may affect their lives in the Diaspora.
3. Israel should consider the views of non-Israeli Jews, mostly because Jerusalem is the Holy City of all Jews.
4. Israel should consider the views of non-Israeli Jews, mostly because it wants to keep the support of other Jews.

 

9. Thinking about Israel-Diaspora relations, do you generally believe that:

 

1. Israel should decide how the cultural-religious future of Jerusalem ought to look without regard to the views of Jews living outside of Israel.
2. Israel should consider the views of non-Israeli Jews mostly because its decisions may affect their lives in the Diaspora.
3. Israel should consider the views of non-Israeli Jews, mostly because Jerusalem is the Holy City of all Jews.
4. Israel should consider the views of non-Israeli Jews, mostly because it wants to keep the support of other Jews.

 

10. If you ever visited (lived, living in) Jerusalem please rank your level of agreement with each of the following statements (1 – completely disagree, 4 – completely agree):

 

Visiting (living in) Jerusalem, I feel safe	1	2	3	4
Visiting (living in) Jerusalem, I feel uplifted	1	2	3	4
Visiting (living in) Jerusalem, I feel at home	1	2	3	4

 

 

 

Please answer the following background questions:

 

Country: ________________		City: ________________
Age: ________________		Male/Female
Religious Affiliation (Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, Secular, Other): ________________
How many times have you visited Israel? 0 1 2 3-5 6-9 10 + Israeli

 

Please mark the answer closest to your view: How would you define the Jewish world outside Israel?

1. Strong and thriving.
2. Deteriorating and weakening.

 

Please mark the answer closest to your view: How would you define Israel?

1. Strong and thriving.
2. Deteriorating and weakening.

 

Do you think the current Israeli government is making a sincere effort to bring about a peace settlement with the Palestinians?

1. Yes, Israel is making a sincere effort.
2. No, Israel is not making a sincere effort.