Israel is in Danger of Losing American Jewry

Key Findings:

Rabbi Deborah Waxman argues that American Jews are experiencing an increased sense of alienation from Israel. She claims that the main reason for this is that Judaism has evolved differently in these two places. In the United States, Jews have expanded their definitions of what it means to be Jewish, and have adapted to modern-day landscapes.  In Israel, Judaism is based upon  more traditional ideas of what constitutes a valid Jew. The two are moving in opposition.  

Rabbi Deborah Waxman breaks down three main reasons for these changing attitudes amongst American Jews towards Israel, and urges that action be taken to avoid a significant loss in solidarity:

(1) There is a deep sense amongst American Jews that their approach to Judaism is not recognized or accepted by the Israeli authority. There have been a number of instances in which legislation has been passed in Israel that specifically negates these very approaches.

(2) Israel has not acknowledged the validity of Jewish people who are outside the “normative” Jewish community. The author uses the example of Jewish Americans who consider themselves to be a part of the queer community as well. 

(3) The ongoing conflicts in Gaza and the West Bank are hard to reconcile with their Jewish identity. Judaism implies a commitment to human rights, namely the universal rights to freedom and autonomy of all people. The author argues that American Jews find it difficult to support a cause that seems contradictory to their moral code, one that is formed in large from their Jewish identity.