Knowledge Gaps: The Greatest Threat Facing the Next Generation
“Knowledge is power,” says the well-known proverb. But if that is true, what does a lack of knowledge mean?
In Israel, young people grow up on the stories that have shaped the country since its founding. We all know, some more, some less, about the wars, the unique social fabric, the culture, and the history. The Aleph-Bet of the Israeli story runs naturally through our veins.
The situation is very different for young Jews around the world, who experience tremendous knowledge gaps compared not only to Israelis, but even to their own parents and grandparents.
These gaps are far from harmless. In an era when information moves at lightning speed and social media shapes public discourse, a lack of understanding becomes fertile ground for people and organizations seeking to exploit the shifting reality to spread misleading and sometimes dangerous information.
This is not just the spread of fake news; it is the dissemination of manipulative narratives, reinforced by educational systems, social media, and traditional media outlets. From there, these narratives quickly reach young Jews who, due to limited knowledge and unfamiliarity with the Israeli story, find their worldview shaken by the overwhelming flood of misinformation.
Returning to that ancient proverb: knowledge is indeed power. And understanding the Israeli and Zionist story is a form of power that flows directly into Jewish communities worldwide and from them, back to Israel.
Public opinion surveys among young American Jews show that more than 60% of respondents are unfamiliar with Israel’s history beyond the most basic facts. Only a small fraction reported feeling connected to accessible and reliable sources of information about Israel.
Research is unequivocal: young Jews who lack exposure to Zionist education are significantly more likely to be critical of Israel, anti-Zionist, or even sympathetic to a murderous terrorist organization like Hamas.
The challenge is multifaceted. Communities must provide an appealing, trustworthy, accessible, and enriching package that allows young Jews to learn the Israeli story in a language and format that resonates with them. The responsibility lies with us, Zionist Israelis and Diaspora Jews, educators and community leaders, and anyone for whom Israel matters.
We must confront the epidemic of ignorance and disinformation. We must offer young Jews relevant tools and platforms, engage them in dialogue, and provide information that does not fear criticism, doubt, or questions—while educating in ways that feel enjoyable rather than forced.
Providing knowledge is the greatest challenge facing Jewish communities today if they hope to preserve the next generations as Zionists and even as Jews. Knowledge gaps that are left unaddressed do not remain empty; someone always fills them.
We must be the ones who fill that void and reconnect the next generation to the Israeli puzzle of which they are an inseparable part.
The author is the creator and producer of the podcast “Israeli Puzzle”, hosted by Elad Simchayoff.
