A study was conducted to compare the degree of Jewish identity felt by: Soviet immigrants and American Jews. Questionnaire respondents in each group indicated their knowledge of Yiddish and of religious customs. Spoken knowledge of Yiddish was far more common among the Soviet Jews surveyed than among the Americans. Any knowledge of Yiddish by Soviet immigrants was likely to be communicative competence, while Yiddish knowledge among the Americans tended to be receptive only. However, knowledge of religious customs was much lower in general among Soviet Jews. Awareness of Hebrew names was also lower among the immigrants, and knowledge of Hebrew was almost nonexistent, while knowledge of Hebrew was high among young Americans. In addition, awareness of Hebrew names was very high among Americans of all ages. It appeared that there is a strong sense of Jewish identity among Soviet Jews, but it is a secular identity. (Author/APM)