NEW YORK (Press Release) – The majority of American Jews are not running from, but rather embracing their Jewish identity and support for Israel. That is one of the key overarching takeaways from American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) 2024 Survey of American Jewish Opinion. Despite – or perhaps due to– record levels of antisemitic hate in the U.S., the survey found deepening connections between American Jews, their Jewish identity, and the State of Israel.Amid a sometimes raucous public debate around U.S. support for Israel, 85% of American Jewish adults believe it is important for the U.S. to support Israel in the aftermath of October 7 and 57% of American Jews report feeling more connected to Israel or their Jewish identity after October 7 than before. When asked what they have done to feel connected, 17% said they have attended synagogue or synagogue events since Hamas’ attack.
“Despite rising antisemitism making Jews feel less safe, American Jews are defiantly proud about who they are and even more connected to Israel,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch.
The Social Cost of Being Jewish in America
Overall, 64% of American Jews report that since the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7 and the subsequent discourse about the war has affected their relationships in some way. More than half (53%) said they have avoided talking about the Israel-Hamas war with other people and 45% said they have felt unsafe sharing their views on Israel on social media. More than one in ten (12%) American Jewish adults said they ended a friendship or relationship with a person since October 7 because they expressed antisemitic views. Twenty-seven percent of U.S. Jews said they have hidden their Jewish identity or have chosen not to disclose it when meeting someone new since the war began.
How American Jews Are Reacting to Rising Antisemitism
Some American Jews are concerned about their future in America. Since Hamas’ October 7 massacre, 7% say they have considered moving to another country due to antisemitism in the U.S. When looking solely at American Jews who reported having a strong education about Israel, that number is 14%.
Yet, despite growing anxiety due to antisemitism, American Jews are leaning into their Jewish identity. While a plurality (42%) of American Jews reported feeling unsafe wearing Jewish symbols in public since October 7 (half of Reform American Jews – 52% – reported the same), 19% said that since the terror attack, they have been wearing signs or items to display their Jewish identity in an effort to feel connected to Israel or their Jewish identity.
Rising antisemitism in 2023, including bomb threats, violent assaults, and vandalism of sacred spaces, and the impact of the Israel-Hamas war have been felt deeply by American Jews, with 93% saying that antisemitism is a problem in the U.S. today and 87% saying that it has increased since Hamas’ terror attack on Israel on October 7.
The bottom line is that six in ten U.S. Jewish adults (60%) said they have felt unsafe in at least one of the following situations since October 7: sharing views on Israel with friends; spending time in a synagogue, Jewish community center, or other Jewish institution or building; wearing Jewish symbols out in public; and sharing views on Israel on social media.
Strong Correlation Between Israel Education and Connection to the Jewish State Since 10/7
According to AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report, eight out of ten American Jews say caring about Israel is important to their Jewish identity, but AJC’s 2024 Jewish Opinion survey found the vast majority of the American Jewish community lacks education about Israel. More than one in five (22%) American Jews said they had received zero formal education about Israel from kindergarten through grade 12. Those who reported no education about Israel were least likely to say they felt more connected to Israel since October 7 (35%), followed by those who categorized their education as weak (42%). In contrast, 62% of those who characterized their education about Israel as strong said they felt more connected to the Jewish state since October 7.
Presidential Preference for Majority of U.S. Jews Stays Consistent
AJC is a non-partisan organization that neither supports nor endorses candidates for elective offices. As part of the organization’s survey of American Jews, the 2024 Survey of American Jewish Opinion examined how the current climate may affect the upcoming presidential election. Polls commissioned in 2020 by both Democrats and Republicans found that a majority of American Jews supported Joe Biden. Similarly, the 2024 AJC survey found that 61% said they would vote for Biden in the upcoming election; 23% said they would vote for Donald Trump. 49% of American Jews believe Biden would be the better choice for preserving the U.S.-Israel relationship, compared to 25% who favor Trump. Likewise, 55% favored a Biden administration when it comes to combating antisemitism versus 20% who think Trump would do a better job.
AJC’s 2024 Survey of American Jewish Opinion, conducted by the research company SSRS, is based on interviews conducted online between March 12 – April 6, 2024, with a nationally representative sample of 1,001 Jews aged 18 or older. The majority of online interviews were conducted via the SSRS Opinion Panel, with additional sample provided by a partner probability panel. The margin of error is +/-3.9 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Find the methodology report here. AJC is a non-partisan organization that neither supports nor endorses candidates for elective office.
AJC gratefully acknowledges the generous support of The Julius and Dorothy Koppelman Institute on American Jewish-Israel Relations in making this survey possible.
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Preceding provided by the American Jewish Committee (AJC)
Preceding provided by the American Jewish Committee (AJC)