American Jewish Engagement Grows Three Years After October 7 Attacks
A new survey by the Jewish Federations of North America reveals that American Jewish engagement has grown significantly three years after October 7, alongside surging concerns over antisemitism.
Three years after the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, American Jews continue to take a more active role in Jewish life and deepen their connection to it. New data from a survey by the Jewish Federations of North America indicates that this is no longer a temporary reaction to an isolated event, but a sustained shift in how Jewish life looks in the United States.
Growing Engagement and Connection to Israel
The third annual survey examining Jewish life since October 7, conducted among approximately 3,000 American Jews, reveals that following a dip last year, the upward trend in Jewish engagement has strengthened or remained stable over the past year. According to the data, the proportion of Jews reporting an increase in their involvement in Jewish life climbed by seven percentage points to reach 38%.
The data shows a direct and clear correlation between increased involvement in Jewish life and attitudes toward Israel. Among those who have deepened their Jewish engagement since October 7, 94% believe that Israel has a right to exist, compared to only 74% among those who reported no increase in engagement.
"Many expected the heightened interest in Jewish life to fade as time passed, but our data shows that the trend is not only holding steady but gaining momentum since last year. American Jews are actively creating and seeking different ways to take part in Jewish life."
Rising Concerns Over Antisemitism
Alongside this trend, the fear of antisemitism remains a central issue occupying the community. The survey shows that 65% believe there is "a lot" of antisemitism in the United States—a significant surge compared to 45% in 2020. Furthermore, an even higher level of concern was recorded among those who deepened their engagement in Jewish life.
The Jewish Federations noted that the data reflects the changing needs of American Jews, the impact of antisemitism on their lives, and the opportunity facing Jewish institutions and organizations to provide appropriate frameworks tailored to the new reality.
