The October 7 attacks are likely to be seen as a significant moment in the story of the Jewish People, not only in Israel but here in the UK and around the world. Reliable data about British Jews are more critical than ever before.
Dr Jonathan Boyd
For many Jews, the months that have passed since 7 October 2023 have been among the most unsettling of their lives. But exactly how they have been unnerving, and indeed why, is complex, and varies from individual to individual.
The horrifying assault that day, both on the communities in the Gaza envelope and on the young adults at the Nova Festival, was the worst terrorist atrocity ever to occur on Israeli soil. The individual stories are still coming out, with gruesome details being released almost daily, but the fundamental story rolls on – over a hundred hostages remain in Gaza, and the military operation to free them and destroy Hamas continues unabated, at great cost to all caught up in it.
Jews are far from united on the many issues raised by the war and are responding to them in a multitude of ways.
Meanwhile, the wider world is watching on from its various vantage points, making its own assessments and judgements. In a world dominated by social media, it is easy to be drawn to the loudest and most shrill voices, but public opinion is by no means monolithic. Similarly, Jews are far from united on the many issues raised by the war – whilst many have been affected by the horrors they have seen, they are responding to them in a multitude of ways.
Data about the UK Jewish community are more important than ever
Our new 2024 Jewish Current Affairs Survey aims to understand how recent events in Israel and Gaza, and the response to them in the UK, are affecting Jews living in Britain. And with a General Election pending, the survey aims to take the pulse of British Jews at this moment, to learn what Jews think and feel, and to understand how they are managing the many challenges that the war has thrown up.
The data we will generate is important for at least two reasons. First, it will help guide Jewish community leaders and policymakers, and shape their thinking about how best to support community interests. That is always a fundamental objective with all our research. But second, the October 7 attacks are likely to be seen as a significant moment in the story of the Jewish People, not only in Israel but here in the UK and around the world, so we expect the survey findings to become an important record of how British Jews felt at this key point in time.
The data will help guide Jewish community leaders and policymakers, and shape their thinking about how best to support community interests.
That’s why it’s so important to take a bit of time out of your day to complete the questionnaire. The survey is a unique opportunity to record how safe you feel as a Jew living in Britain today, how you think wider society has reacted to the war, whether you trust some of the key institutions of the British State to support Jewish community interests, how you see the State of Israel at this time, and what you think about its future prospects. These issues are among the most weighty and consequential we have ever explored, and this survey gives you a unique opportunity to have your say.
Reliable, independent data are more important than ever
Our research is never designed to promote a particular political agenda, and this survey is no exception – there are no right or wrong answers. And we know that many Jews are struggling to say what they think, or are guarding their words in particular contexts, so this is a means to cut through that, and share exactly what you feel completely anonymously.
Our research is never designed to promote a particular political agenda, and this survey is no exception – there are no right or wrong answers.”
So please consider completing the survey. You can do so by joining the JPR research panel now, or if you are already a member, by responding to the email about the survey that you will find in your inbox. And feel free to encourage others to sign up to take part – anyone Jewish, living in the UK and aged 16 or above is eligible, no matter how attached they are to Israel or the Jewish community, and irrespective of what they think or feel about current events.
Your views matter; with your help, we can ensure that they are heard clearly and accurately.
Dr Jonathan Boyd
Executive Director
Dr Jonathan Boyd
Executive Director
Jonathan has been Executive Director of JPR since 2010, having previously held research and policy positions at the JDC International Centre for Community Development in...
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