How It Works

Methodology & Data Sources

What is Shalom Atlas?

Shalom Atlas is a data visualization tool that maps Jewish community presence across the United States. By aggregating publicly available data on synagogues, Jewish schools, kosher establishments, community centers, and more, we create a comprehensive picture of where Jewish communities thrive.

The Community Density Index

The CDI is a composite score from 0 to 100 that represents the density and diversity of Jewish community infrastructure in a given area. Higher scores indicate stronger community presence.

0 — Low Community Presence100 — High Community Presence

Data Layers

Religious Institutions

Weight: 2–2.5x

  • Synagogues & Templesx2.5
  • Chabad Housesx2
  • Mikvahsx2

Education

Weight: 1.5–1.8x

  • Day Schools & Yeshivasx1.8
  • Hillel Centersx1.5
  • Hebrew Schoolsx1.5

Food & Commerce

Weight: 1–1.3x

  • Kosher Restaurantsx1.3
  • Kosher Markets & Delisx1.2
  • Kosher Bakeriesx1
  • Judaica & Book Shopsx1

Community Organizations

Weight: 0.8–1.2x

  • Jewish Community Centersx1.2
  • Jewish Federationsx1
  • Jewish Family Servicesx1
  • Jewish Museumsx0.8

The Grid

Shalom Atlas uses Uber's H3 hexagonal grid system to divide the map into uniform cells. Hexagons are ideal for spatial analysis because they have consistent distances between cell centers and reduce edge effects compared to square grids.

Resolution 7

~5.16 km² per cell. Used at zoom levels 8 and below for regional overview.

Resolution 8

~0.74 km² per cell. Used at zoom levels above 8 for neighborhood detail.

How the Score is Calculated

1

Count points of interest from each data layer that fall within each hex cell

2

Multiply each count by its layer weight (e.g., Synagogues x2.5, Kosher Restaurants x1.3)

3

Sum all weighted counts to produce a raw score

4

Normalize against the 99th percentile across all cells

5

Produce a final 0-100 CDI score (higher = more community presence)

Community Voting

Shalom Atlas uses community voting to refine density scores across the map. Click any hex cell to vote on whether its score accurately reflects the area.

1

Vote on Areas You Know — Click a hex cell and tell us if its score is accurate, too high, or too low.

2

Earn Points — Get +2 for being the first voter on a cell, +1 for any vote. Lose -2 if you change your mind. Max 500 points per day.

3

Build Trust — Your trust level starts at 1.0x and increases as your votes align with consensus. Higher trust = more influence.

4

Voting Periods — Votes lock every 12 hours (6am & 6pm UTC). Scores are adjusted based on community consensus.

5

Climb the Leaderboard — Top voters are ranked. Active contributors shape the most accurate map possible.

6

Link Your Wallet — Optionally connect a Solana wallet. Active contributors may be recognized in the future.

Data & Privacy

  • •All data comes from publicly available sources (Google Places API, public directories)
  • •No personal information is collected, stored, or displayed
  • •Data is aggregated at the hex cell level — individual addresses are never shown
  • •Population estimates come from the Brandeis AJPP and US Census

Limitations

  • •Google Places data may not capture every establishment, especially smaller or newer ones
  • •The CDI is a proxy for community infrastructure, not a census of Jewish individuals
  • •Rural areas with small but active communities may be underrepresented
  • •Weights are configurable defaults and may not perfectly reflect every community's priorities
  • •Data is updated periodically and may not reflect very recent changes

Disclaimer

Shalom Atlas is an independent data visualization project for educational and research purposes. It is not affiliated with any religious organization, government agency, or community group. The Community Density Index is a derived statistical measure and should not be used as the sole basis for any decision. Data accuracy depends on the completeness of public source data. We welcome corrections and feedback.