On July 1, 2025, CNN published an article claiming that “After centuries of isolation, ultra-Orthodox Jews engage with the world more than ever.” To test the validity of this claim, Mispar conducted a survey with its exclusive panel of Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Americans.
Within the analytical sample (n = 283), almost half (49%) resided in New York, with the remainder across 21 other states including New Jersey (16%), Illinois (4%), and Texas (3%). The sample included 142 females, 141 males, 207 ultra-Orthodox and 76 Orthodox* respondents (ages 19–72).
When asked: “To what extent do you agree or disagree that after centuries of isolation, ultra-Orthodox Jews are engaging with the world more than ever?”
When asked in which areas engagement is highest, business and commerce (71%) and technology and digital media (69%) ranked top, while education (42%) saw the least reported increase in interaction.
It is worth noting that 8% of women compared to 3% of men viewed broader world engagement as mostly negative, suggesting potential gender differences in how increased engagement is perceived.
*Note: Respondents were coded as Orthodox if they self-identified as Modern Orthodox, Orthodox, or Sefardi. Respondents were coded as ultra-Orthodox if they self-identified as Chassidish, Yeshivish, or Litvish.
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