Abstract The present study sought to expand the now expansive research on COVID-19 by examining COVID-19-related fear among adolescents in Israel, focusing on demographic variables, COVID-19-related variables (e.g., exposure and vaccination), psychosocial variables (e.g., adolescent wellbeing and perceived social support), and technology usage (e.g., amount of time spent on social media). Data from parents were […]
Tag: Israel
Prevalence of Long-COVID Among Low-Income and Marginalized Groups: Evidence From Israel
Abstract Objective: To identify the socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with the prevalence of self-reported long-COVID symptoms. Method: We examined the association between acute-COVID (SARS-CoV-2) and long-COVID symptoms, by a cross-sectional analysis of data obtained on a prospective online-survey, conducted from November to December 2021 on a nationally-representative sample of the Israeli population (N = 2,246). Results: Findings […]
Household Spending Patterns and Hardships during COVID-19: A Comparative Study of the U.S. and Israel
Abstract The combined supply and demand shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic have created the largest consumer behavior shift in recent history, while exposing millions of households to material hardships like food insecurity and housing instability. In this study, we draw on national surveys conducted early in the pandemic to investigate the pandemic’s effects on self-reported […]
Public perceptions and the willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19: Lessons from Israel
Abstract Objectives To explore the associations between vaccine hesitancy and demographic and socio-economic characteristics, as well as perspective towards the COVID-19 and its vaccines. Methods Data were collected through four online surveys on Israel’s representative sample in March (3/2 to 3/7, n = 1517), August (8/10–8/11, n = 925; 8/18–8/22, n = 1054), and September (9/22-9/24; n=1406), 2021. We employ a […]
COVID-19 Among Youth in Israel: Correlates of Decisions to Vaccinate and Reasons for Refusal
The primary aim of the present study is to examine the reasons for adolescents’ refusal to get vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, and examine correlates of vaccination among adolescents aged 12–18 years in Israel. A total of 150 youth aged 12–18 years participated in the study. Following parental consent (30% response rate) from an online internet […]
Did government benefits help Israeli households avoid hardship during COVID-19? Evidence from a national survey
At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of Israel quickly introduced aggressive social distancing measures to curb the virus spread and adapted its unemployment insurance program in response to rising unemployment rates. This study examines the relationship between household income and the experience of material hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel and […]
Pandemic isolation increasing negative behaviors among children in Israel
Isolation as a result of COVID-19 exposure is a key public health protocol to mitigate the spread of the virus; however, new survey results indicate increased isolations are associated with anger, violence, difficulties sleeping, and prolonged screen time.
Nudging Parents to Improve Children’s Oral Health: A Field Study
This research brief is part of a series by the Social Impact Nudgeathon initiative. This initiative incorporated insights from behavioral economics into the design and delivery of social welfare programs. Developed through a partnership between the Joint Distribution Committee in Israel (JDC-Israel) and the Social Policy Institute (SPI) at Washington University in St. Louis, this initiative is among the first of its kind to launch in Israel. […]
Household savings decisions in Israel’s child savings program: The role of demographic, financial, and intrinsic factors
This study examines how demographic, financial, and intrinsic personality characteristics predict household participation in Israel’s Child Development Account (CDA) program, the Savings for Every Child Program (SECP).
New Book Charts Global Progress of Child Development Accounts

Nearly 30 years after the publication of Michael Sherraden’s seminal Assets and the Poor, Child Development Account (CDA) policies and programs are emerging across the globe. Now, a new book edited by Jin Huang, Li Zou and Sherraden showcases the global context of those advancements.
Enrollment and Participation in a Universal Child Savings Program: Evidence from the Rollout of Israel’s National Program
Grinstein-Weiss, M., Pinto, O., Kondratjeva, O., Roll, S. P., Bufe, S., Barkali, N., & Gottlieb, D. (2019). Enrollment and participation in a universal child savings program: Evidence from the rollout of Israel’s national program. Children and Youth Services Review, 101, 225–238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.03.048
The Saving for Every Child Program in Israel: An Overview of a Universal Asset-Building Policy
Grinstein-Weiss, M., Kondratjeva, O., Roll, S. P., Pinto, O., & Gottlieb, D. (2019). The Saving for Every Child Program in Israel: An overview of a universal asset-building policy. Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work and Development, 29(1), 20–33. doi:10.1080/02185385.2019.1574600
Special Issue | Inclusive Child Development Accounts: Toward Universality and Progressivity
Huang, J., Zou, L., & Sherraden, M. (Eds.). (2019). Inclusive child development accounts: Toward universality and progressivity [Special issue]. Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work and Development, 29(1).
Toward Universal, Progressive, and Lifelong Asset Building: Introduction to the Special Issue
Sherraden, M., Huang, J., & Zou, L. (2019). Toward universal, progressive, and lifelong asset building: Introduction to the special issue. Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work and Development, 29(1), 1–5. doi:10.1080/02185385.2019.1575272
Frequently Asked Questions About the Features of Child Development Accounts in Israel
Grinstein-Weiss, M., Covington, M., Brewster, M., & Oliphant, J. E. (2016, April). Frequently asked questions about the features of Child Development Accounts in Israel (CSD Fact Sheet No. 16-12). St. Louis, MO.
A Savings Account for Every Child Born in Israel: Recommendations for Program Implementation
Grinstein-Weiss, M., Covington, M., Clancy, M. M., & Sherraden, M. (2016, April). A savings account for every child born in Israel: Recommendations for program implementation (CSD Policy Brief No. 16-11). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
CSD announces asset-building expert Michal Grinstein-Weiss as associate director

Grinstein-Weiss is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in the field of asset building whose research focuses on developing programs and policies to promote economic and social development of vulnerable groups.