Young US Jews embrace Judaism informally despite limited communal participation - study

A new study, Project Prism, by Sense Worldwide and released by the Jim Joseph Foundation, finds that 75% of young US Jewish adults incorporate Judaism into their daily lives, often informally. The study of over 2,000 Jews aged 22-30 shows informal participation is a stronger predictor of connection than organizational membership. It identifies barriers to participation and highlights the success of immersive experiences like summer camps and Israel trips.

A new report from Sense Worldwide, released by the Jim Joseph Foundation, reveals that 75% of young Jewish adults in the US incorporate Judaism into their daily lives on a regular basis. The study, dubbed Project Prism, surveyed over 2,000 Jews aged 22 to 30 across a spectrum of backgrounds. It found that informal participation, such as celebrating holidays, enjoying Jewish food, or talking about Jewish topics, is a stronger predictor of feelings of connection and purpose than participation in Jewish organizations. The report identified three key barriers to greater participation: a lack of existing connection, a need for more flexible and manageable activities, and a desire for spaces to engage with complexity without social pressure. Socially immersive experiences, including summer camps, Israel travel programs, and youth groups, were found to be more successful in creating a sense of belonging. The foundation's leadership, including Stacie Cherner and Yonah Schiller, emphasized the data's actionability and the potential for new interventions to support Jewish life.