American Orthodoxy Flourishing but Fragile
Read the series introduction, “The Jew in America at 250”
As we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary, the trajectory of American Orthodox Jewish life demonstrates significant successes—“good news”—but we also face significant challenges—“bad news.” A recent study stated that most people prefer sharing good news first, but that about 80% of recipients want to first hear the bad news. So here goes….
Nishma Research’s April 2026 survey of almost 500 Orthodox Jews asked what they see as major challenges facing Orthodoxy. The top five are:
- Affordability, Economics: Tuition, housing near a shul, kashrut, shuls, camps, weddings, costs in general.
- Antisemitism, Safety, America’s Future: Rising antisemitism from both the left and right, fear of physical danger, campus hostility, and uncertainty about long‑term safety in America.
- Materialism, Status Pressure, Gashmiyut: Conspicuous consumption, competitiveness, and external markers of success eclipsing inner avoda.
- Internal Division, Polarization: Splits within Orthodoxy, political polarization, and the difficulty of maintaining unity. This survey also found that a plurality of Modern Orthodox (44%) see the Orthodox community as becoming more divided, although a majority of Haredim (53%) see levels of unity/disunity not changing much.
- Technology, Internet, Media: Smartphones, social media, the internet, and now A.I. as spiritual and social threats, especially for youth.
Now some good news.…
On several measures of community strength, the news is positive. Very strong majorities agree that the community is growing, its institutions (shuls, schools, organizations) are strong, we are successfully transmitting Jewish values to the next generation, and members of the community are becoming more religiously observant and are thriving spiritually.
However, it is the very success of Orthodox life, across economic and moral domains—its growth, affluence, and institutional strength—that has produced new social pressures that risk displacing its spiritual core.
As some commented: “Certain communities are too focused on gashmiut and keeping up with others. Fancy cars, fancy watches, etc.”; “This is replacing Torah values and a Torah life with something else that is just weird and spiritually harmful.”
The decisive opportunity of this moment in our history lies in our community’s moving away from the all-too-pervasive materialism and competitive consumption.
Across Nishma Research surveys of family finances, middot (interpersonal behaviors, where humility and being satisfied with what one has are rated poorly), and other studies, materialistic and competitive behaviors are too pervasive and harmful. I suggest that we have a decisive societal opportunity to address the challenge of materialism by shifting from an emphasis on gashmiut to identifying and exalting the spirituality and connection to Hashem to which we aspire.
Communal honor systems shape communal values; therefore, the question is not only what we discourage, but what we choose to celebrate. Why not equally honor not only our major donors but also those who exemplify what we most value? Why not have a shul kiddush, sponsored with $18 donations by many, honoring the woman who looks after and drives her 93-year-old widow neighbor to all of her doctor appointments or those who staff the Hevra Kadisha? There are so many opportunities to recognize those who exemplify the spirituality we aspire to. Let’s really focus on that. These may be small steps, but we need to start creating a shift in what people see as important.
The future of Orthodox flourishing will depend not only on what we build, but on what we choose to value.
https://traditiononline.org/american-orthodoxy-flourishing-but-fragile/?