This article by Arno Rosenfeld examines the growing generational divide among American Jews regarding Israel, a topic discussed at the annual conference of the Jewish Federations of North America in Washington, D.C. Speakers highlighted research showing that younger Jews are significantly more likely than older generations to identify as anti-Zionist or to feel uncomfortable with Israel’s policies, particularly in the wake of the October 7 attacks and the subsequent war in Gaza. Despite acknowledging these concerns, many leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining strong public support for Israel while attributing growing criticism among young people to factors such as social media influence, gaps in Jewish identity formation, and misinformation.
At the same time, some participants recognized the need for more nuanced Israel education and spaces for open conversation. Speakers including Anna Langer suggested that younger Jews remain deeply engaged with Jewish life but are seeking opportunities to explore complexity and discuss difficult issues honestly. While ideas such as expanded Israel travel programs and strengthened Jewish education were widely supported, the conference largely reflected a reluctance among major Jewish institutions to significantly shift their overall approach to Israel, even as they grapple with changing attitudes within the next generation.
Read the full article here:
https://forward.com/news/785155/jfna-israel-education-generational-divide
