EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report presents the findings of two surveys of American Jews conducted in 2019 and 2021. These surveys examined overall attitudes related to Jewish identity, community organizations and institutions, and Israel. They also explored current issues including the changing political landscape in both countries, the rise in antisemitism incidents in the United States, and the COVID-19 pandemic which spread in the United States shortly after the first survey was conducted.

The 2021 survey adopted an approach different from previous studies of the Jewish community. It was conducted only among those who had participated in the 2019 survey. This kind of recontact research allowed us to look under the surface at individual-level change and explore trends across the broader population. This is the first time, to our knowledge, that this recontact methodology has been used in survey research on American Jews.  

KEY FINDINGS

Most American Jews share a sense of identity. Despite the personal sense of Jewish identity, fewer American Jews are engaged with Jewish communal institutions.

American Jews feel that antisemitism is rising and see it as a big concern. Yet, it does not affect their motivation to become involved with the Jewish community.

Jewish community institutions are perceived overall in a positive light, but not everyone feels well represented.

The unengaged do not have a negative perception about the institutions, but are much more likely than the engaged to see them as not representing them, and being too focused on Israel, big donors and partisan politics.

A majority believes that community institutions should be doing more to be inclusive and stay in touch.

For many, maintaining their Jewish identity is not related to Jewish communal institutions.

Surprisingly, many of the smaller, potentially marginalized groups within the Jewish community are less likely to see institutions as unwelcoming.

The top motivations for the involvement of Jews are sustaining and maintaining the community for themselves and future generations, along with the connection to Jewish history.

Donations, holiday celebrations, and reading Jewish publications are among the most common forms of involvement.

Some are disengaged by choice – with lack of time and competing priorities two of the top reasons for not being involved.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic does not appear to have left a deep imprint on donors or their views of community organizations, it may be the reason for the slight decrease in engagement with community organizations.

Most have some attachment to Israel, but it is stronger among those who are more engaged.

Most are familiar with the Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) movement and are strongly opposed to it.

The majority of American Jews are pro-Israel but critical of at least some Israeli policies.

The majority of American Jews see the two US political parties headed in opposite directions on Israel, with the Republican Party (GOP) becoming more supportive, and the Democratic party less so.

Among the main reasons for feeling less connected to Israel are the political tensions over religious parties, settlement policies, and specifically, lingering feelings about the TrumpNetanyahu alliance that persisted even after the 2020 elections.