As Jewish communities across the United States continue to grapple with the aftermath of the 2023 conflict in Gaza, a growing number of independent prayer groups and synagogues identifying as anti- or non-Zionist have emerged, attracting steady interest amid ongoing debates over Israel and Jewish identity. These groups have appeared in cities from New York to Tucson, offering alternatives to mainstream Jewish institutions for those who feel alienated by traditional congregations’ stances on Israel.

Arielle Korman, a fifth-year rabbinical student at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, began leading independent Yom Kippur services in 2024 after observing that many in her community intended to avoid conventional synagogue attendance amid the Gaza war. “There was a lot of grief that had to be addressed,” Korman said, noting that these alternative services filled a spiritual gap for individuals seeking a different approach to Judaism during a crisis. Two years later, Korman continues to organize such gatherings in New York City, adding that more options have since become available for Jews seeking alternative religious spaces.

Rabbi Brant Rosen, founder of Tzedek Chicago, an explicitly anti-Zionist synagogue established in 2015, highlighted significant growth in his congregation since 2022. Membership increased from around 300 households to 480 by 2026, with continued expansion expected. Rosen attributed this trend to what he described as growing alienation among younger Jews from Zionism and mainstream Jewish life, a sentiment that has intensified in recent years. “Young people in general are not joining congregations,” Rosen said, linking this decline in part to disagreements over Israel-related issues and the lack of room for nuanced conversations within many Jewish institutions.

Supporting this perspective, recent surveys indicate that a considerable portion of younger American Jews feel disconnected from traditional Jewish spaces due to differing views on Israel and Palestine. A study conducted between late 2025 and early 2026 found that nearly 40 percent of Jews aged 22 to 40 have limited their participation in Jewish communal life, with 42 percent citing misalignment in how Israel/Palestine matters are discussed. Another survey by Jewish Federations of North America revealed that among Jews aged 18 to 34, 14 percent identified as anti-Zionist and 18 percent as non-Zionist—the highest proportions in any age group. Almost half of American Jews surveyed said the community lacks space for nuanced dialogue about the Gaza conflict.

In response to this environment, some Jews have established their own religious communities to better reflect their values. In Westchester County, New York, a group known as the Westchester Diasporist Minyan formed in 2025 after members of Jewish Voice for Peace sought a more consistent setting for Shabbat dinners with an anti-Zionist orientation. Its organizers emphasized a commitment to “dikaiyt,” a Yiddish concept meaning “hereness,” and cited ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank as motivating factors in creating spaces outside mainstream institutions.

Similarly, in Tucson, Arizona, Maggie Rawling launched the Love the Stranger Center in early 2025, describing it as an interfaith community hub focused on Jewish liberation. Serving around 90 participants through religious services and accompanying programs, the center plans to open a religious school this year but faces challenges securing sustainable funding. Rawling pointed to the absence of traditional funding sources typically available to established Jewish organizations.

Funding remains a critical obstacle nationwide for anti-Zionist and non-Zionist Jewish groups. Rabbi Andrue Kahn, executive director of the American Council for Judaism, noted the disproportionate resources channeled into Zionist-affiliated Jewish institutions compared to alternative organizations. The Council supports 15 affiliate communities and has been approached by numerous others seeking guidance and mentorship.

To address this gap, the Jewish Liberation Fund, established in 2020, provides grants specifically to social justice-oriented Jewish groups, including those with anti- or non-Zionist perspectives. Co-executive director Joanna Ware explained that the fund works to bridge a mismatch between donors’ values and the needs of progressive Jewish organizations, often serving as the sole public funding source for its grantees. Since its inception, the fund has awarded over $600,000 to spiritual groups, although demand outpaces available resources.

The growth of these independent groups and their aspirations to become established institutions reflect broader shifts within American Jewry. Rosen expressed a desire not merely to remain a dissident movement but to challenge existing power structures within Jewish life, seeking greater influence over communal narratives. Meanwhile, Korman observed the current moment as an opportunity for traditional Jewish institutions to learn from these emerging communities and consider how to accommodate diverse perspectives.

With uncertainty about which of these new minyanim or synagogues will expand most significantly, the evolving landscape suggests that alternative Jewish communities may soon claim a more prominent role in American Jewish religious and cultural life.