December 2024: How Connected are American Jews to Israel and Judaism?
90% of American Jews would not have a Christmas tree in their homes, vast majority light Hanukkah candles.
Throughout the months of war, the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) examined American Jewry, which constitutes nearly half of the Jewish people, including their closeness to Israel and Judaism and the war’s impact on the Jewish community.
The surveys identified a growing erosion in the sense of closeness to Israel among liberal Jews, while, conversely, there was a strengthening of ties to Israel and Judaism among centrist and conservative respondents.
In the latest survey, the sense of closeness to Israel was examined through generational questions, and the data shows that the connection to Israel remains strong: a large majority of American Jews feel close to Israel and Judaism, with most participants in the latest survey, whose findings are published today, responding that they are connected to Israel at least as much as their parents or even more than their parents.
Among Jews who identify as conservatives, an absolute majority (57%) declared that they feel more connected to Israel than their parents. Most respondents, across all ideological groups, answered that they care about being Jewish to a similar extent as their parents.
Tradition and Identity:
The connection to Judaism can also be seen in the following data regarding tradition:
Most survey respondents said they light Hanukkah candles this year on all eight nights of the holiday.
As expected, as one moves along the religious spectrum from liberal to conservative (Orthodox, ultra-Orthodox, etc.), the percentage of respondents who light candles on all eight nights of Hanukkah rises. In any case, an absolute majority across all religious denominations of American Jews light Hanukkah candles in their homes.
In contrast, a large majority of Jewish participants in the study (90%) said that there would not be a Christmas tree in their homes this year. Only about a tenth of respondents said there would be a tree in their homes (a significantly lower percentage compared to findings from other surveys published in the past).
The War in Israel:
Ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, American Jews believe that Israel’s refusal of a ceasefire in Gaza until all hostages are released is legitimate.
Among conservatives, 99% agreed with this statement, while among Jews who are “very liberal,” the percentage is much smaller (52%).
Even when analyzed by voting preference, 98% of Jewish Trump voters agree, while even among Harris voters, 65% agree.
Consensus among American Jews was also noted regarding Israel’s actions in Syria:
Following the fall of Assad’s regime in Syria, Israel took control of several areas, including the Hermon Ridge, and also destroyed military infrastructure of the Syrian army. The study shows that among Jews, there is agreement—both among Trump voters and Harris voters—that Israel exercised its power “appropriately.”
It is also interesting to note that most conservative Jews believe that Israel won the war, while among liberal Jews, the dominant opinion is that Israel “neither won nor lost” the war.
At the same time, the latest survey shows an improving trend in the personal security feeling of American Jews.
Although slightly more than a third of respondents in the study (36%) report that the war in Israel makes them feel less safe, and 46% report that the war “somewhat” affects their security concerns, compared to previous months, these figures represent a slight improvement in respondents’ sense of security.
Dr. Shuki Friedman, Director General of the Jewish People Policy Institute:
“The ongoing war in Israel significantly impacts American Jews. Among the group more connected to Israel, the war has led to greater identification with Israel and their Jewish identity. The Israeli government must act to strengthen this trend and fulfill its constitutional commitment to strengthening the bond between the State of Israel and Diaspora Jewry.”