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.
- 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 |
- From what you know/have heard/have seen contemporary Jerusalem is:
- Developing in the right direction.
- 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
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- 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. |
- 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. |
- 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?
- There should be no change in the status quo. Prayer near the Kotel should be according to Orthodox custom.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 |
- 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 |
- Thinking about Israel-Diaspora relations, do you generally believe that (choose only one answer):
- Israel should decide how the political future of Jerusalem ought to look without regard to the views of Jews living outside of Israel.
- Israel should consider the views of non-Israeli Jews mostly because its decisions may affect their lives in the Diaspora.
- Israel should consider the views of non-Israeli Jews, mostly because Jerusalem is the Holy City of all Jews.
- Israel should consider the views of non-Israeli Jews, mostly because it wants to keep the support of other Jews.
- Thinking about Israel-Diaspora relations, do you generally believe that:
- Israel should decide how the cultural-religious future of Jerusalem ought to look without regard to the views of Jews living outside of Israel.
- Israel should consider the views of non-Israeli Jews mostly because its decisions may affect their lives in the Diaspora.
- Israel should consider the views of non-Israeli Jews, mostly because Jerusalem is the Holy City of all Jews.
- Israel should consider the views of non-Israeli Jews, mostly because it wants to keep the support of other Jews.
- 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: ________________
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Age: ________________
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Male/Female | ||||||||
Religious Affiliation (Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, Secular, Other): ________________
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How many times have you visited Israel?
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Please mark the answer closest to your view: How would you define the Jewish world outside Israel?
- Strong and thriving.
- Deteriorating and weakening.
Please mark the answer closest to your view: How would you define Israel?
- Strong and thriving.
- Deteriorating and weakening.
Do you think the current Israeli government is making a sincere effort to bring about a peace settlement with the Palestinians?
- Yes, Israel is making a sincere effort.
- No, Israel is not making a sincere effort.