Commentator Survey Asks Students About Religious Observance, Hareni, President Berman Job Approval and More
The Commentator conducted a comprehensive survey of Yeshiva University students between April 1-16, focusing on religious and social topics, as well as questions about general approval of YU as an institution.
Some survey questions include religious observance, abortion, Hareni and President Berman’s job approval. This is the first time YU students have been polled for many of these questions.
Background:
The survey polled 450 students, representing 21% of the YU undergraduate student body in the United States.
144 of the respondents (32%) were Yeshiva College (YC) students, 172 (38%) were Stern College for Women (SCW) students, 92 (20%) were Wilf Campus Sy Syms School of Business (SSSB) students and 42 (9%) were Beren Campus SSSB students. Overall, 236 (52.5%) respondents were men while 214 (47.5%) were women.
Following the trend of our previous semester’s political survey, both YC and Stern students were overrepresented, and SSSB students were underrepresented. YC and Stern were overrepresented by 9.5% and 3.5%, while Wilf and Beren SSSB were underrepresented by 11% and 3%. Overall, the proportion male and female students was accurately represented within one percentage point.
Of Wilf Campus respondents, 63% were Mazer Yeshiva Program (MYP) students, 20% were in the Irving I. Stone Beit Midrash Program (SBMP), 12.5% were in Isaac Breuer College (IBC) and 4% were in the James Strier School (JSS).
Notably, BMP students were underrepresented by 15.5%. Indeed, while 27% of male undergraduates as of Spring 2025 are enrolled in both SBMP and SSSB they only accounted for 13.5% of male respondents in our survey. As in The Commentator’s fall survey, MYP was overrepresented — this time by 19%.
Religiosity:
The survey asked students what their religious affiliation was when they grew up as well as each respondents’ current religious affiliation. The options provided were, Modern Orthodox Machmir, Modern Orthodox Centrist, Yeshivish and Non-Orthodox/Secular. For childhood affiliation, the option “became frum during childhood” was provided. Due to oversight, “Left-Wing Modern Orthodox” was not provided as an option.
While 38% of respondents indicated that they grew up in a “Modern Orthodox Machmir” household, 50% of respondents currently identify as such. Conversely, 47% of respondents indicated that they grew up “Modern Orthodox Centrist;” only 40% currently identify as such. 6% and 5% of students reported that they had grown up and identified as Yeshivish and Non-Orthodox/Secular, respectively.
Observance:
Respondents were asked to report their religious observance on several key metrics.
88% of respondents expressed that they are “Strictly Shomer Kashrut” with 8% saying that they are “Mostly Shomer Kashrut,” and 2% and 1% saying that they are somewhat or not at all shomer kashrut respectively. IBC stood out with only 58.5% of respondents saying that they are “Strictly Shomer Kashrut.”
Similarly, 89% percent of respondents marked that they are “Strictly Shomer Shabbat” with 6% saying that they are “Mostly Shomer Shabbat.” IBC once again stood out with only 55% of respondents saying that they are “Strictly Shomer Shabbat.”
64% of students revealed that they are “Strictly Shomer Negiah” with 12% saying that they are “Mostly Shomer Negiah,” and 11% and 13% saying that they are somewhat or not at all shomer negiah respectively. Overall men were more likely to be shomer negiah with 69% expressing that they are “Strictly Shomer Negiah” compared with 59% of women.
Men were asked how often they wear tefillin. 81% of students reported that they wear tefillin every day, 10% said that they don most days and 9% reported that they seldom/never wear tefillin. 92% of MYP students wear tefillin every day, 74% of SBMP students said the same and only 48% and 44% of IBC and JSS students indicated similarly.
While all students were asked how often they attend at least one minyan daily, there was an understandable discrepancy between answers from male and female students. 70% of male respondents said that they attend at least one minyan daily, 15.5% said they do so most days, 6.5% said that they do so only on Shabbat and 8% reported that they seldom/never attend minyan. On the other hand, 3.5% of women reported that they always or mostly attend at least one minyan daily, 68% said they attend only on shabbat and 28.5% indicated that they seldom/never attended minyan.
Lastly, students were asked how often they learn Torah for at least 15 minutes on vacation. Only 34.5% of students stated that they learn Torah every day of vacation, with 30% indicating that they do so most days and 35.5% saying that they seldom/never learn Torah on vacation for at least 15 minutes. Dividing by gender, 50% of men compared to 16% of women said that they learn every day of vacation. 26% of men compared to 35% of women said they do so most days of vacation and 24% of men and 49% of women said they seldom/never do so.
Religious Beliefs:
90% of students surveyed said that they strongly agree with the statement “I believe in God.” 8% said they mildly agreed with only 2% saying that they mildly or strongly disagree with the statement. This stands in contrast with The Commentator’s 2019 survey in which only 77% of students reported that they “fully” believe in God.
YC was the school whose students were least likely to believe in God with 83% saying they strongly agreed with the statement and male SSSB students the most likely at 95.5%. On Beren, 91% of SCW students strongly agreed with the statement along with 95% of female SSSB students.
74% of students said they strongly agree with the statement “I believe in traditional Judaism.” 19% of students mildly agreed, and 4% and 3% said they either mildly disagree or strongly disagreed respectively. There was no noticeable difference in responses from different schools. There was however a difference in Torah programs, with only 41% of IBC and JSS students strongly agreeing with the statement.
35% of respondents strongly agreed with the statement “I believe in evolution.” 40% reported that they mildly agree and 14% and 11% said they either mildly disagree or strongly disagree respectively. There were no statistically significant differences within Torah Studies Programs or different schools.
Social Issues:
The survey asked students several questions regarding social issues. On most womens’ issues Beren students skewed significantly more progressive than their Wilf counterparts. Among Wilf respondents, IBC students stood out as the most progressive.
44% of respondents strongly agreed with the statement “I support women learning Talmud.” 33% indicated that they mildly agree with 17% and 6% saying that they mildly and strongly disagree respectively. 58.5% of women in contrast with 34.5% of men strongly agree with the statement. 27.5% of Beren and 40% of Wilf students mildly agree with the statement, and a combined 14% of Beren students compared to 33.5% of Wilf students mildly or strongly disagree with the statement. 93% of IBC students strongly or mildly supported women learning Talmud.
Respondents were asked their stance on the statement “I support female Rabbis and Yoatzot Halacha.” Overall, 19% of students either strongly or mildly agree with the statement while 46% indicated that they either mildly or strongly disagree with the assertion. 35% of students agreed with Yoatzot Halacha, but not female rabbis. 23.5% of women compared to 15.5% of men either strongly or mildly agree while 36% of Beren and 53.5% of Wilf students mildly or strongly disagreeing with the statement. 35% and 40% of Beren and Wilf students chose the option agreed with Yoatzot Halacha but not female rabbis.
While in the previous semester’s election survey 51% of the student body reported that they oppose the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, only 11% of students in our current survey indicated that they believe abortion should be legal in all circumstances and just 21% indicated that it should be legal in most circumstances. 61% of students are in favor of abortion being legal in a few circumstances and 5% indicated that it should be legal in no circumstances. This view was shared across campuses, with 66% of Wilf compared to 59% of Beren students saying it should only be legal in a few circumstances. 8% and 19% Wilf students compared to 13.5% and 24.5% of Beren students said abortion should be legal in all circumstances and legal in a few circumstances, respectively. Finally, 7% of Wilf compared to 3% of Beren students should be legal in no circumstances. IBC was once again the most progressive with a combined 42% of students indicating that they believe abortion should be legal in all or most circumstances.
Students were asked if they would feel comfortable attending an extracurricular coed event. 46% of respondents said yes, while 24% said mostly yes and 22% and 8% reported mostly no and no. Beren students were significantly more likely to feel comfortable attending coed events. Of Beren respondents, 58% and 19.5% indicated yes or mostly yes while 18.5% and 4% indicated no. Of Wilf respondents, 36% and 27.5% indicated yes or mostly yes while 25% and 11.5% said no. MYP students are the least likely to feel comfortable with just 53% indicating yes or mostly yes.
Students were asked their opinion on the statement: “Students on Beren receive equal or superior treatment to those on Wilf.” Overall, 12.5% and 28.5% of students said they strongly or mildly agree with 39% and 20% indicating that they mildly or strongly disagree. Beren students were more likely to express their disapproval with the statement. By campus, 76.5% of Beren students reported mildly or strongly disagree with just 44% of Wilf students indicating the same.
There have been several recent articles in The Commentator highlighting some of the difficulties that Beren students face given the influx of Katz students in recent years. We asked Beren students to respond to the assertion that “The Katz Program on Beren negatively affects my YU experience.” Overall, respondents were split on the issue. 22% said they strongly agree and 29% said they mildly agree with the statement. 28% and 21% of students said they mildly or strongly disagree.
Students were asked their opinion on YU’s decision to recognize the LGBTQ club Hareni (the survey was completed prior to the statement from the roshei yeshiva before Pesach clarifying their approach to Hareni). 57% said they disagreed with YU’s decision to recognize the LGBTQ club, with 22% mildly and 35% strongly disagreeing. 21% and 22% percent of respondents said they strongly and mildly agreed with the decision. Overall, Beren students were more likely to support the new club with 51% reporting that they either strongly or mildly agreed with the decision compared with just 37% of Wilf students reporting the same.
Separated by Torah program, only 31% of MYP and SBMP students strongly or mildly approved of the decision to recognize the club, compared to 64% of IBC and JSS reporting the same. SSSB students on both campuses were less likely to approve of the settlement compared to SCW and YC students. Merely, 24.5% of SSSB students either strongly or mildly agreed compared with 51.5% of YC and SCW students. Lastly, while 30% of respondents that identify as Modern Orthodox Machmir either strongly or mildly approve of the decision, 62% of those that identify as Modern Orthodox Centrist shared the same feelings.
74% of respondents strongly agreed with the statement “I consider myself to be a Zionist” and 19% somewhat agreed. Only 4% and 1% somewhat disagree or strongly disagree. On the other hand, a recent poll conducted by the YU Observer found that 81.5% of students considered themselves to be Zionists.
YU Approval:
As a whole, students shared a favorable opinion of YU. 27% and 50% of students strongly or mildly agreed with the statement, “YU as an institution represents me and my religious values.” Just 15% and 8% of students indicated that they mildly or strongly disagree with the statement. Beren students were more likely to strongly or somewhat agree with the statement at 81% compared to 74% of Wilf students.
Overall students shared a favorable view of the roshei yeshiva. Equally 39% and 39% of students indicated that they strongly or somewhat agree with the statement, “Senior YU Roshei Yeshiva represent my values.” 15% and 7% of students indicated that they somewhat or strongly disagree with the statement. There was no statistically significant difference between men and women.
There was, however, a significant difference based on respondents’ religious identity. 56% of respondents that identify as Modern Orthodox Machmir compared with just 20% of those that identify as Modern Orthodox Centrist strongly agree with the statement. Only 8% of respondents that identify as Modern Orthodox Machmir somewhat or strongly disagree compared with 35.5% of those that identify as Modern Orthodox Centrist.
27% of students said that YU as an institution is to the right of them religiously compared with 23% saying YU was to the left of them. The remaining 50% said that YU is about the same. Students gave similar responses when asked whether the general student body is to the right or left of them religiously.
32% and 52% of students strongly or somewhat approve overall of the professors they have had at YU. Just 12% and 5% of students somewhat or strongly disapprove of the professors they have had.
SCW students displayed the most favorable opinions of their professors followed by YC and SSSB. 43% of SCW students compared with 33% of YC students and 18.5% of SSSB students strongly approving. 45% of SCW students compared with 51% of YC students and 60% of SSSB students mildly approved of their professors. Lastly, just 12% of SCW students, 16% of YC students and 21.5% of SSSB students either mildly or strongly disapproved.
Students were asked if they “approve or disapprove of the way the administration are handling their jobs.” 59% (16% and 43%) of respondents strongly or mildly approved, while 27% and 14% of respondents mildly or strongly disapproved.
President Berman’s approval stood higher than administration’s, with 35% and 43% of respondents saying they strongly or mildly approve of the way in which he is handling his job as president. Only 13% and 9% of respondents expressed that they mildly or strongly disapprove of his job.
Students that identified as Modern Orthodox Machmir were more likely to express a favorable view to President Berman handling of his job. 43.5% of respondents that identify as Modern Orthodox Machmir compared with just 29% of those that identify as Modern Orthodox Centrist strongly approved. Only 16% of respondents that identify as Modern Orthodox Machmir somewhat or strongly disagree compared with 28% of those that identify as Modern Orthodox Centrist.
Finally, students were asked their view of the statement “Overall, I am satisfied with YU.” 37% and 47% expressed that they strongly or somewhat agree with the statement, respectively. While 11% and 5% expressed that they somewhat or strongly disagree with the statement, respectively.
While there was no statistically significant difference between the answers from students from different schools, Beren students expressed a higher satisfaction compared to Wilf students. 40% and 48.5% of Beren students compared to 34% and 46% of Wilf students strongly or somewhat expressed satisfaction with YU. While, a combined 11.5% of Beren students compared to 20% of Wilf students either somewhat or strongly expressed dissatisfaction with YU.
Methodology:
The survey was solely to the student body via email at two different occasions and no other medium was used to spread the survey, in order to avoid biasing the sample. Respondents had their answers kept fully anonymous, were not given neutral options and were given the choice to submit their names on a separate document to be entered into a raffle for a $75 gift card, which will be held after the publication of this article. YU enrollment numbers come from the office of institutional research.
Sruli Friedman contributed to this article.
Photo Caption: Photo of YU
Photo Credit: YU Commentator
