Sustained Surge: Survey Finds American Jewish Engagement Remains Elevated Years After Oct. 7

Three years after the October 7 attacks, Jewish Americans continue to engage deeply with Jewish life, indicating that an initial spike in involvement has evolved into a lasting shift in communal identity, according to a new survey from the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA).

Conducted between May and June 2026 among 2,836 Jewish Americans, JFNA’s third annual study since the attacks reveals that 38% of respondents reported heightened engagement—a reversal of the previous year’s decline that the organization has termed the “Surge.”

“Many anticipated that the heightened interest in Jewish life would dissipate over time, yet our data indicates the Surge has not only persisted but gained momentum over the past year,” said Mimi Kravetz, Chief Impact and Growth Officer at JFNA.

“Jewish Americans are actively forging and seeking diverse expressions of Jewish life, and institutions—including Federations—are continuing to adapt to meet that demand.”

The study identifies two primary drivers behind this sustained engagement: emotional ties to Israel and rising concerns over antisemitism.

Respondents reporting increased engagement were more likely to express a strong emotional attachment to Israel and to say that Israel bolstered their Jewish pride compared to those whose involvement remained static.

This group also demonstrated greater awareness of rising antisemitism in the U.S. and reported higher rates of online targeting.

Antisemitism remains a pervasive worry; 65% of respondents said there is “a lot” of antisemitism in the U.S., a significant rise from 45% in 2020. This anxiety was especially pronounced among those deepening their communal ties.

What Draws Jewish Americans Closer to Community?

This year’s survey also explored what motivates deeper involvement in Jewish life and what barriers hinder sustained connection.

Drawing on over 700 open-ended responses, the survey found that informal social gatherings—particularly Shabbat dinners with friends—were the most frequently cited catalyst for increased engagement.

Consistent participation emerged as another key factor, noted by 184 respondents. Many indicated that comfort in Jewish settings grew with repeated attendance.

Personal relationships also proved critical. For 117 respondents, a single welcoming individual made the difference, while 45 cited the absence of such a connection as a deterrent to participation.

The findings also underscored persistent challenges, particularly political friction within communal spaces.

Political tensions related to Israel and antisemitism were the most frequently cited obstacles to engagement, raised by 140 respondents.

Some felt their communities were overly critical of Israel; others believed they were excessively supportive. Many expressed frustration that political discourse had come to dominate communal life.

Rather than disengaging entirely, many reported seeking out alternative congregations or communities better aligned with their perspectives.

Engagement Paths Vary by Prior Connection

The survey further revealed that the nature of increased involvement often correlated with a respondent’s level of connection to Jewish life prior to October 7.

While nearly all experiencing the Surge boosted their social participation, those already active in Jewish organizations tended to deepen existing commitments.

For this cohort, heightened engagement typically meant attending more synagogue or communal events and increasing advocacy efforts.

Conversely, those with weaker prior ties largely pursued engagement through independent learning.

Instead of immediately joining institutions, they turned to podcasts, news media, and educational resources to explore their Jewish identity and connection to Israel.

This divergence suggests that renewed interest does not automatically translate into immediate institutional affiliation.

An Opportunity for Outreach

The findings indicate a significant opportunity for Jewish organizations to engage those whose interest has grown since October 7 but who have yet to find a comfortable communal home.

For the previously less engaged, the challenge lies less in sparking interest and more in facilitating meaningful pathways to participation.

The survey also recorded gains in awareness of communal security resources and confidence in institutional protection.

Fifty-eight percent of respondents knew where to report antisemitic incidents, up from 46% in 2025.

Awareness of specific security programs safeguarding Jewish institutions rose from 39% to 57%. Additionally, 60% believed Jewish organizations were effectively protecting their communities, an increase from 47% the previous year.

“The Surge endures because, despite profound concerns about antisemitism and security, those fears are not driving people away,” Kravetz said.

“People are still showing up, still learning, and still finding their way into Jewish community. There is a genuine opportunity to reach even more of them, and we now have practical lessons from the field on how to sustain this new normal.”

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