Brandeis University Study Finds Unprecedented Declines in Jewish Connection Among U.S. Jewish Young Adults

Mar 24, 2026 by Susan Rosenbluth

Waltham, Mass. (March 23, 2026) – A new study from the Maurice and Marilyn Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University surveyed two groups of young U.S. Jews who lived through the same summer season, the same news headlines, and the same social pressures. One group became less connected to their Jewish identity. The other grew more connected. The difference between them was a 10-day educational experience in Israel.

The report, “A Summer of Uncertainty: Birthright Israel’s Impact on the Summer 2025 Cohort,” examines the experiences and outcomes of 2,285 U.S. applicants, including 1,384 respondents surveyed after the trip. Forty-six percent of surveyed young Jews had never been to Israel before; and 58% had never attended Jewish day school.

The findings are based on a pair of surveys of U.S. applicants to summer 2025 Birthright Israel trips. The sample includes both those who participated in Birthright Israel and those who applied but did not participate. Applicants were surveyed at two time points: shortly before the trip in April and May 2025, and approximately three to four months after the trip in November and December 2025.

Birthright Israel participants from recent years below. Credit: Courtesy of Birthright Israel.

The Starkest Differences from the Study:

Among politically liberal young Jews – where connection to Jewish identity is most fragile – the gap is dramatic:

Connection to Israel rose 60% among participants and fell 26% among nonparticipants. The percentage who said being Jewish is “extremely important” rose 46% among participants and did not change among nonparticipants.

Connection to the worldwide Jewish community remained steady for participants but declined sharply for nonparticipants: Participants: 67% → 70%. Nonparticipants: 67% → 57%.

Connection to Jewish history increased for participants and declined for nonparticipants: Participants: 63% → 67%. Nonparticipants: 67% → 59%.

Connection to Jewish values remained strong for participants and declined among nonparticipants: Participants: 71% → 72%. Nonparticipants: 72% → 65%.

Participation also strengthened feelings of responsibility toward other Jews and toward Israel. Among participants, strong agreement that Jews ought to help other Jews rose from 44% to 56%, and strong agreement that Jews have a responsibility to contribute to the betterment of Israel rose from 36% to 41%. No comparable increase was observed among nonparticipants.

Notably, even participants who attended Jewish day school – and who entered the trip with high baseline Jewish engagement – showed measurable increases in connection to Jewish identity. Among Jewish day school graduates being very connected to Israel rose 22% and saying the “being Jewish is extremely important” rose 33%.

Despite security challenges and political tensions during summer 2025, researchers describe the program as a “formative experience and milestone” for a diverse group of American Jewish young adults.

“Never before in our research on Birthright have we seen such notable declines among nonparticipants. Yet even in such an environment, Birthright produced substantial impact on those who participated in the program, even if their trip was cut short,” said Prof. Leonard Saxe, director of the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University. “Birthright not only strengthened connection to Jewish identity and Israel but also reinforced Jewish identity at a time when many young Jews were experiencing declining connection.”

“The cultural headwinds facing young Jews are real, and they are pushing Jewish connection and pride downward. But what this research makes unmistakably clear is that Birthright Israel moves participants in the opposite direction. The decline occurred only among those who did not go,” said Gidi Mark, International CEO of Birthright Israel.

“During that same summer, Birthright participants became more connected to Jewish identity, community, history, values, and tradition. Cultural pressures pose an existential threat to Jewish continuity, but we know what works: meaningful, firsthand experiences in Israel with peers. Action strengthens Jewish identity; inaction allows it to fade,” he added.

“Brandeis University has released an alarming finding: Jewish connections among young Jews are declining at an unprecedented rate. But the good news is that with philanthropic investment, we can prevent decline and inspire growth,” said Elias Saratovsky, president and CEO of Birthright Israel Foundation.

“We are at a crossroads. If our community does nothing, we risk losing the younger generation. But if we invest in an effective intervention – Birthright Israel – we can win them back. Birthright Israel works, and the entire Jewish community must support it. Our future depends on it,” he added.

Birthright

Birthright Israel is the largest educational tourism organization in the world. Founded 25 years ago with the dream to provide all young Jewish adults with opportunities for transformative and immersive shared experiences in Israel and a foundation for ongoing Jewish connection. Birthright offers multiple short- and mid-length programs in Israel for Jewish young adults. More than 900,000 young Jewish adults from 70 countries participated in one of the Birthright Israel programs. The gift of a Birthright Israel trips is made possible thanks to an innovative partnership between Jewish philanthropists, Jewish communities and Federations, the people of Israel through the Government of Israel, tens of thousands of alumni, their families, and individual donors from around the world.