Introduction

The study explores the well-being of American Jewish teens, a group that faces both universal adolescent challenges and unique stressors related to their Jewish identity. Conducted in 2024 with nearly 2,500 Jewish teens, the research provides insights into their mental health, sources of stress, and systems of support.

The research underscores an urgent mental health crisis among teenagers nationwide, as highlighted by national public health organizations. For Jewish teens, these struggles are compounded by rising antisemitism, geopolitical conflicts, and identity-related pressures.

Key Findings

1. Jewish Identity Centrality is Strongly Linked to Well-Being

• Teens who consider being Jewish an important part of their identity report higher levels of overall well-being.
• This connection spans across all five well-being dimensions: engagement, perseverance, optimism, connectedness, and happiness.
• Family Jewish identity centrality (how important a teen perceives Judaism to be to their family) also correlated with better well-being, though less strongly.
• Participation in Jewish teen programs had a small but positive effect on well-being, with peer relationships being the most beneficial aspect.
• However, teens felt that adults in Jewish programs did not fully understand contemporary teen experiences.

2. Jewish Teens Face a “Dual Burden” of Stress

• Like their peers, Jewish teens experience academic pressures, social dynamics, and identity struggles.
• However, they also face unique stressors related to antisemitism, the war in Israel and Gaza, and safety concerns.
• School-related stress was the most significant, followed closely by stress related to antisemitism and the Israel-Gaza conflict.
• Jewish teens who valued their Jewish identity more highly also experienced greater stress related to these Jewish-specific concerns.
• Stressors were categorized into five main areas:
  1. School (grades, academic pressure, future prospects)
  2. War in Israel/Gaza & Antisemitism (personal safety, discrimination, social media hostility)
  3. Relationships & Self-Image (friendships, body image, peer pressure)
  4. Parental Stress (conflicts, expectations)
  5. Gender & Sexuality (LGBTQ+ identity struggles)
• Teens reported fear for personal safety, harassment on social media, conflicts with friends, and concerns over choosing a college due to campus antisemitism.

3. Jewish Teens Find Support Through Relationships, Not Institutions

• Family and Jewish peer groups are key sources of support.
• Half of Jewish teens said most of their closest friends were Jewish, while the other half had few or no Jewish friends.
• Jewish teen programs provided a space for self-expression, but not all teens felt supported by Jewish institutions.
• Friends and parents were the primary sources of advice, while Jewish leaders (clergy, youth program leaders) were among the least consulted.
• 87% of teens identified multiple places where they felt free to be their full selves, with Jewish spaces playing an important role.

Implications & Recommendations

• Jewish identity serves as both a source of resilience and stress. While it provides meaning and support, it also increases exposure to antisemitism-related anxiety.
• Jewish communal organizations must adapt their engagement strategies. Instead of only reinforcing Jewish identity, they should help teens navigate the stress that comes with it.
• Teens need more spaces for open, nuanced discussions. They struggle to find environments where they can express their thoughts on Jewish issues without fear of judgment.
• Adult leaders in Jewish programs need better understanding of today’s teen realities. Teens turn to peers and family for support rather than institutional figures.
• Mental health support should be integrated into Jewish programming, considering both universal teen stressors and Jewish-specific anxieties.

Conclusion

This landmark study highlights the complex, intertwined relationship between Jewish identity, well-being, and stress for American Jewish teens. Jewish identity is a major source of strength, but also exposes teens to additional pressures. The findings urge Jewish institutions and communities to better support teens in navigating both their cultural identity and modern stressors.