Multiplicity of identity expressed in Jewish educational settings

The current article explores multiple expressions of Jewish identity as
expressed in educational settings affiliated with different denominations.
Further, it looks at expressions of identity among youth whose personal
religious affiliation corresponds with the setting’s organizational identity
and those whose personal identity differs.
The tool for examining this is a scale of symbols which I developed
in order to explore the multi-faceted nature of Jewish identity. The set of
symbols is used as a means for comparing between sub-populations of
American Jewish youth. Participants (N=731) in Jewish summer camps
affiliated with the Orthodox, Conservative and Reform denominations
variously emphasized different symbols, expressing distinctive ‘flavors’ of
Jewish-American identity.
It was found that each camp included a significant minority of
participants whose self-defined denominational affiliation differs from
that of the camp. Significantly, there are differences in Jewish identity,
as expressed through the symbols, between youth whose self-defined
affiliation corresponds with that of the camp (i.e. Orthodox youth at an
Orthodox camp) and those whose personal definition differs from their
camp's affiliation (i.e. Conservative youth at an Orthodox camp). Pedagogical and institutional implications of the multiplicity of Jewish identities expressed in educational settings, and especially the
experience of individuals whose identity differs from that of the setting, are explored.