Jerusalem – Officials from Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and leaders of Reform Judaism expressed concern this week that younger Jewish Americans are drifting away from seeing Israel as a core part of their Jewish identity. The worry follows an AP‑NORC poll that found only four in ten religious Jewish adults under 45 consider support for Israel “extremely” or “very” important, compared with about half of older adults.
Officials stress the strategic importance of diaspora ties
“It’s extremely important to us,” said Itai Nixon, head of the diaspora department for Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. “We are the state of the Jewish people, not just Israelis.” Nixon added that maintaining strong connections with Jews abroad is a “strategic asset” for both Israel and the global Jewish community.
Lesley Sachs, chair of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism, echoed the sentiment, warning that a loss of attachment could leave younger Jews feeling Israel is not a viable homeland. “After the Holocaust, it was vital that Jews worldwide know there is a country that will always take them,” she said from her synagogue in Tel Aviv.
Birthright and other programs aim to rebuild the bond
Since 2000, Taglit‑Birthright Israel has offered free ten‑day trips to Israel for a million young Jewish adults from the United States and elsewhere. Gidi Mark, the program’s CEO, said the tours are more crucial than ever. “We give them a mirror of what they could have,” he said, noting that participation has declined since the wars of 2023‑2024.
Mark recalled a recent participant shouting “Israel! Israel!” outside a hotel, a rare public display of pride that he believes reflects the impact of a personal visit.
Political context fuels the divide
The poll was taken amid heightened tensions between Israel and the United States over the ongoing war with Iran. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Washington earlier this week to discuss the conflict, but Israeli public opinion of Trump’s commitment to Israel’s security fell from 64 % in March to 26 % in June, according to the Israel Democracy Institute’s Viterbi Center.
Many younger American Jews, especially those with progressive leanings, view support for Israel as conflicting with their broader values. Sachs noted that college campuses have become hotbeds of anti‑Israel protests since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and the subsequent war in Gaza, which has claimed over 73,000 lives according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Religious affiliation influences attitudes
The poll also showed a split along religious lines. About half of religious Jewish adults say Israel’s military actions in Gaza are justified, while only two in ten unaffiliated Jews share that view. Orthodox Jews, both in Israel and abroad, tend to maintain stronger ties to the Jewish state.
In response, Israeli and diaspora religious organizations are expanding exchange programs. Young Israelis are being sent to Jewish summer camps across North America, while non‑Israeli Jews receive free trips to Israel. “Seeing Israel and meeting Israelis is the gold standard,” Nixon said of these initiatives.
Community voices call for renewed partnership
Alma Edry, an 18‑year‑old counselor at a progressive Jewish summer camp in Ontario, said she was surprised to learn how many of the campers’ friends are anti‑Israel. “This is their chance to celebrate their connection,” she said.
Israeli officials stress that understanding Israel’s role in Jewish history is essential for combating antisemitism, which 60 % of surveyed Jewish adults consider a serious problem in the United States.
As the demographic shift continues, Israeli leaders hope that personal experiences, youth programs, and renewed dialogue will help younger diaspora Jews recognize Israel as a refuge and a partner in preserving Jewish heritage.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
