US Jews Deepen Connection to Jewish Life Post-Oct. 7, But Antisemitism Fears Rise
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
A survey of 3,000 American Jews shows 38% have increased their engagement with Jewish life since October 7th, with 94% of them supporting Israel's right to exist. However, fears of antisemitism have also risen significantly, with 65% now believing there is "a lot" of antisemitism in the US, up from 45% in 2020. Jewish Federations see this as a call for institutions to adapt to the community's changing needs.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- 38% of American Jews increased their engagement with Jewish life after October 7th, a new survey found.
- 94% of those more engaged Jews believe in Israel's right to exist, and 93% feel an emotional connection.
- Concerns about antisemitism have surged, with 65% of US Jews seeing "a lot" of it, up from 45% in 2020.
- The survey involved approximately 3,000 American Jews.
- Jewish Federations are calling for institutions to adapt to these changing community needs.
A recent survey of approximately 3,000 American Jews indicates a significant increase in engagement with Jewish life since the October 7th Hamas attacks. The study found that 38% of respondents have deepened their involvement in Jewish life following the events.
Among those who increased their engagement, an overwhelming 94% believe in Israel's right to exist, and 93% feel an emotional connection to the country. This heightened involvement shows a direct correlation with positive attitudes toward Israel; 94% of those more involved affirmed Israel's right to exist, compared to 74% of those whose involvement did not increase. Similarly, 93% of the more engaged group reported an emotional bond with Israel, versus 51% in the less engaged group. Furthermore, 75% of the highly involved Jews stated that Israel makes them feel proud of their Jewish identity, compared to only 36% of the less involved.
Despite the increased connection to Jewish life and Israel, concerns about antisemitism have also surged. The survey revealed that 65% of American Jews believe there is "a lot" of antisemitism in the United States, a substantial jump from 45% in 2020. This fear is even more pronounced among those who have deepened their Jewish engagement, indicating a heightened awareness and concern regarding antisemitic incidents.
Jewish Federations noted that these findings reflect the evolving needs of American Jews, the impact of rising antisemitism on their lives, and the opportunity for Jewish institutions to adapt and provide relevant frameworks for the current reality. The data suggests a dual impact of recent events: fostering a stronger sense of Jewish identity and connection to Israel, while simultaneously amplifying fears of antisemitism.
