The religious identity of many Jewish adults in the United States, particularly those aged 45 and older, often includes strong support for Israel. However, a new AP-NORC poll reveals that younger Jewish adults may prioritize different aspects of their Jewish identity, such as celebrating Jewish holidays.
Following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, the divide over Israel’s actions has extended into religious identity. Cameron Bernstein, a 27-year-old medical student, expressed that, although she was raised with ties to Israel, it now plays a role similar to any other country with people she loves.
The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research surveyed 1,022 Jewish adults, within a larger survey of 3,040 U.S. adults, to understand opinions among Jewish communities. The probabilistic AmeriSpeak Panel ensures results are representative of the U.S. population, with adjustments made for accurate group representation. Respondents were considered Jewish by religion, or through ethnic, cultural, or family background.
About 68% of Jewish adults identify as religiously Jewish; among them, roughly 6 in 10 regard being Jewish as crucial. Older religious Jewish adults are more likely to view supporting Israel as vital to their identity, compared to younger adults who emphasize celebrating holidays more.
Susan Boyer, a 72-year-old retiree, sees supporting Israel as synonymous with backing Jewish rights to a homeland. Rising antisemitism concerns reinforce her view of Israel as a necessary refuge. “It’s invasive in your daily living that you have to constantly defend yourself as a Jew,” Boyer noted.
Conversely, Ari Pollack, a 30-year-old arts fundraiser, criticizes Israel’s military actions, blaming them for fueling antisemitism. This sentiment leads him to distance himself from traditional Jewish establishments. Many under 45 accuse Israel of actions deemed genocide in Gaza, a claim Israel denies. Among those older than 45, this belief is less prevalent.
The poll indicates younger Jewish Americans value other Judaism facets, such as Shabbat or dietary practices, over supporting Israel. Phoebe Wapnitsky, 32, stressed values such as social justice, opposing Israel’s military strategies even prior to the recent conflict.
Brian Ebarb, a 47-year-old attorney, sees action and community as central to his Jewish identity, which includes supporting Israel. While welcoming criticism of government actions, he warns against conflating criticism of Israel with criticism of Jews globally.
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Associated Press religion coverage benefits from collaboration with The Conversation US, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP maintains sole responsibility for the content.
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The AP-NORC poll, conducted from June 11-17, included 1,022 Jewish adults. The margin of error for the overall adult sample is ±2.8 percentage points, while for Jewish adults it is ±5 percentage points.
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