Gen 26: Growing our understanding of the Australian Jewish community’s identity, diversity, and needs for the next decade

The Gen26 survey, led by Monash ACJC and the Jewish Communal Appeal (NSW), and implemented in collaboration with Jewish community organisations around Australia, is the latest iteration in ACJC’s once‑in‑a‑decade study, targeting 10,000+ responses in Australia and New Zealand. The study maps changes in Jewish
identity, participation, wellbeing and experiences of antisemitism, over the past decade, factoring in major upheavals since the COVID-19 pandemic and the Israel-Gaza war. The project builds on the outcomes of the two previous surveys, Gen08 and Gen17.

Beyond creating the most current picture of the community, Gen26 will produce actionable outcomes: detailed demographic and attitudinal datasets, segmented analyses for age cohorts and regions, validated indicators for monitoring community wellbeing and evidence‑based briefs tailored to service providers. These outputs will support policy development within Jewish communities and in government by supplying policymakers and funders with robust evidence to: identify
emerging vulnerabilities and service gaps; design targeted programs for education, aged care and mental health; shape anti‑discrimination and community‑safety interventions; and evaluate the impact of investment over time. The survey’s public reports and stakeholder consultations will also inform advocacy, strengthen sector planning, and provide a rigorous platform for cross‑sector collaboration.

It provides an evidence base to support teachers in designing civics classes and build momentum towards crafting resources and tools for practice and impact.