This study examines the differential patterns of cultural and social assimilation of Israeli immigrants. Specific variables such as length of stay in the US, sex, education and occupation were tested for their influence over assimilation. In addition to the description of the data, the study generates new theoretical insight for policy affecting social service delivery to Israeli immigrants. Two hypotheses were tested first, among Israeli immigrants, those with high socioeconomic status achieve a higher degree of cultural assimilation than those with low socioeconomic status; and social assimilation is not related to socioeconomic status among Israeli immigrants. The first hypothesis was based generally on Gordon's theory (1964), but more specifically on Weinstock's (1964) and Silver's (1964) propositions which state that the higher the occupational status, the greater will be the range of peripheral role elements. The second hypothesis was based on Gordon's (1964) differentiation between cultural and social assimilation. Gordon states that cultural or behavioral assimilation is only the first step in the process of assimilation, while the final step is social-structural assimilation, which is the large-scale entrance into cliques, clubs, institutions and organizations of the host society on the primary group level. The study also focuses on the process of assimilation into the Jewish community. It is estimated that about 80% of the Israeli families coming to the US live in Jewish neighborhoods. -from Authors

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Israeli immigrants USA Migrants socio-cultural assimilation Jewish community