Six Ways Teens Respond to Israel Since October 7
December 10 at 8:00 pm – 9:15 pm EST
How are Jewish teens really feeling about Israel since October 7? Research from Brandeis University has identified six distinct categories after interviewing Jewish college students, including affirmed, disillusioned, and more.
Join Moving Traditions on Wednesday, December 10, as our CEO Shuli Karkowsky sits down with Dr. Jonathan Krasner, Chair of Jewish Education Research at Brandeis University, to dig into his research and what it means for our teens today.
The research reveals tensions around Jewish identity, antisemitism, and political engagement, providing insight into how young Jews are navigating life on campus since October 7.
We will also feature teen voices reflecting on the research and sharing about what they are facing in high school and as they prepare for college themselves.
This free Moving Traditions Raising Up Teens webinar for parents of Jewish youth will include actionable takeaways and resources to use with the teen in your life.
Featured Speakers
Jonathan Krasner (he/him) is the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Associate Professor of Jewish Education Research at Brandeis University. Jonathan researches the history of American Jewish education, and gender and sexuality, including the mainstreaming of LGBTQ+ Jews in American Jewish life. He is the author of Hebrew Infusion: Language and Community at American Jewish Summer Camps, winner of the 2020 National Jewish Book Award in American Jewish Education, and The Benderly Boys and American Jewish Education, winner of the 2011 National Jewish Book Award in American Jewish Studies. Jonathan holds an M.Ed. from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in Jewish history from Brandeis University, and he co-founded Keshet in 1996.
Shuli Karkowsky (she/her/hers) is Chief Executive Officer at Moving Traditions. Both Judaism and feminism have been core facets of her identity since birth; working at Moving Traditions has felt like coming home. Shuli has extensive experience in non-profit management, including at legacy institutions like UJA-Federation of New York and innovative start-ups like 70 Faces Media and Hazon. She joined the nonprofit world after litigating at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. Shuli graduated summa cum laude from the University of Maryland and from Harvard Law School. Shuli is a notoriously voracious reader and eater, consuming nearly all variety of books and food with gusto. She lives in Westchester with her husband and three children, all of whom are so deliciously adorable that they, too, face constant risk of being consumed.
About the Research
Between Home and Homeland: Jewish College Students Confront the Israel-Gaza Conflict and Campus Divides
By Jonathan Krasner, Cheryl Weiner, Meka Greenwald & Lance Rothchild
This study examines the experiences of Jewish college students in the United States following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and the resulting Israel-Gaza conflict. Using qualitative analysis, it identifies six distinct response categories based on ratings across seven axes, including connectedness, activism, and emotional well-being. The findings highlight the intersection of global events and polarized campus climates, revealing tensions between Jewish identity, antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and political engagement. This study provides insights into how young Jews navigate vulnerability, community, and solidarity during a time of crisis, revealing responses ranging from pride to alienation.