JPPI’s Voice of the Jewish People Index

JPPI’s Voice of the Jewish People Index

JPPI’s Voice of the Jewish People Index is an ongoing analytic survey conducted among thousands of Jews in the United States who are registered members of a panel assembled under the auspices of the Institute’s Diane and Guilford Glazer Information and Consulting Center.

The panel does not constitute a representative sample of the entire U.S. Jewish population, but it includes participants from all points of the Jewish identity spectrum and allows JPPI to identify trends, positions, and differences among U.S. Jews according to religious affiliation, emotional proximity to Israel, political identity, connection to Judaism, and more.

JPPI’s Voice of the Jewish People Index

JPPI Survey of American Jews: 63% Say Israel is the Safest Place for Jews

The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) has released preliminary findings from its January 2025 *Voice of the People* survey, which examines trends among American Jews—a community comprising nearly half of the global Jewish population. The latest survey includes questions on topics such as the controversial hostage release agreement and ceasefire, which sparked debate in Israel and abroad.

**Hostage Agreement Perceptions**

– **33%** of respondents view the agreement as a victory for Hamas and a loss for Israel.

– **31%** see it as a mutual victory for both sides.

– **9%** believe it reflects a loss for both parties.

– **7%** regard it as a win for Israel and a loss for Hamas.

A significant portion of American Jews credit the incoming President with the deal’s success. About a third of respondents believe the incoming Trump administration deserves more credit for the agreement than the outgoing Biden administration, while another third hold the opposite view.

**Impressions of the Ongoing War**

When asked about the prolonged conflict in Israel, responses were divided:

– **19%** said Israel has won the war.

– **14%** felt Israel has lost.

– **43%** believe neither side has won or lost.

– **21%** stated it is too early to tell.

Comparatively, the sense of Israeli victory has declined sharply since last month, when **37%** believed Israel had won, versus only **19%** this month. Similarly, perceptions of Israel losing have risen from **5%** last month to **14%** now.

**Sense of Security**

Many respondents report feeling less secure due to the conflict:

– **40%** feel less safe because of the war in Israel.

– **36%** are more concerned about their personal security as Jews.

On the question of safe havens for Jews, **63%** agreed that “Israel is the safest place in the world for Jews to live.”

**Connection to Israel and Judaism**

Since October 7, the survey has consistently shown that the majority of American Jews feel closer to Israel due to recent events.

Additionally, this month, **52%** of respondents said they find it easier to form friendships with other Jews, while **46%** indicated that a person’s Jewish identity does not influence their ability to form friendships.

**Trust in Trump**

With Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, the survey examined American Jews’ trust in the incoming President across various areas.

– Conservative Jews expressed significantly higher confidence in Trump than liberal Jews.

– Trust increases along the spectrum from liberal to conservative religious identities.

**Key Findings on Specific Issues:**

– **Relations with Israel:** **28%** have high confidence in Trump to “do the right thing,” **37%** have little confidence, and **25%** have none at all.

– **Combatting Antisemitism:** **26%** have high confidence, **27%** have little confidence, and **40%** have none at all.

– **Addressing Iran:** **30%** have high confidence, while **31%** have none.

– **Israeli-Palestinian Conflict:** **16%** have high confidence, **27%** have little, and **40%** have none at all.

A majority of respondents (**54%**) believe the U.S. does not provide enough support to Israel, while **30%** feel the support is sufficient, and **11%** believe it is excessive—unchanged from prior months.

*JPPI President, Prof. Yedidia Stern, commented:*

*”The survey findings demonstrate a clear and consistent trend of support for Israel and a sense of closeness among American Jews, even as their sense of personal security declines amid a global rise in antisemitism spurred by the war. While many Jews feel Israel has not achieved a decisive victory, the majority still consider Israel the safest place for Jews worldwide. Israeli decision-makers should consider the importance of fostering a sense of Israeli victory. Israel’s image as strong and victorious has significant implications for the status and security of Jews worldwide.”*

PreviousNext