Much recent coverage has focused on a growing rift between American and Israeli Jews. New data from Jewish Federations of North America point the other way.

 
An op-ed by Rebecca Caspi, Senior Vice President for Israel and Overseas and Director General of Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Office and Mimi Kravetz, Chief Impact and Growth Officer at Jewish Federations of North America, centers on the findings from our 2026 binational study of American and Israeli Jews. The share of American Jews who see Israelis as extended family or part of their own community has climbed from 46% to 62% since 2021, and Israelis show the same trend. The study also finds that real contact, such as travel, living in the other country or taking part in each other's communal life, sharply increases that sense of connection.

 
"We are in another challenging season for the Jewish people," said Rebecca Caspi and Mimi Kravetz. "It would be easy to conclude that we have more differences than we have commonalities, and to approach discussions from a place of distance and division. But there is opportunity in this tense moment to recognize our deep sense that we are one community."  

 
You can read the full piece here.
 

Slide deck

Full study

Topline data of American Jewish respondents

Topline data of Israeli Jewish respondents