Study: Some young US Jews pulling back from Jewish life due to Israel discourse

According to a new survey conducted by Sense Worldwide and commissioned by the Jim Joseph Foundation, approximately 39% of Jewish young adults aged 22 to 40 in the United States report that they have reduced or become more selective about their participation in Jewish spaces due to events in recent years. Among this group, 42% cited a lack of alignment with how Israel and Palestine are discussed and a perceived lack of room for nuance as a primary reason. Additionally, 48% of respondents described the discourse as hostile, toxic, or unproductive.

Despite this, the study indicates that young Jews have not abandoned their Jewish identity. 75% of respondents say they regularly engage in Jewish activities, though most connections are formed in informal settings, such as at home with family or friends, rather than through synagogues or traditional institutions. Only 30% of respondents participate regularly in formal Jewish organizations.

The research, which surveyed 2,071 adults between December 2025 and April 2026, also found that 26% of all respondents expressed a desire for spaces where non-Zionist or anti-Zionist views could be expressed without being labeled as antisemitic. Conversely, the 11% of respondents who have increased their engagement in Jewish spaces in recent years cited a desire for solidarity and a sense of safety among those who share their feelings as the primary motivation.