Articles

The Jewish political tradition is rich as it is historic. The principles that define and shape how Jews understand and engage in the political process is drawn from their past, tied to their tradition and built on their encounters with modern political thought and practice. The materials gathered here are taken from an array of sources, reflective of the many different perspectives about Jews and political power.

Over the past several weeks, American audiences have been introduced to QAnon:

…postings that concoct a smorgasbord of conspiracy theories, like Satanic child-sex trafficking rings, ritual murder of children and the overthrow of the government by a “deep state.”

We are living in a transformative moment. This transition is less about the pandemic and more about the outcomes that we are preparing to experience. For certain, the economic picture is unclear, just as the political environment remains unsettled.
“The impact of COVID-19 on life around the globe is extraordinary, and nonprofits are no exception to the disruption.”[1]
What will this mean for our society, our economy and our Jewish community?

The story of anti-Semitism is an old one, yet we American Jews have been spared much of what has defined the European marketplace of hostile ideas and destructive behaviors. A new storyline of hate appears to be present, as every poll taken of American Jewish opinion is reporting record levels of concern over heightened levels of anti-Semitism.
This current manifestation of anti-Semitism is joined both from the right and the left, marking the first time in our American experience where we are experiencing this phenomenon. But there is also an unsettled feeling in connection with the rise of Black anti-Semitism.

I. Greatest Jewish Learning Moment in History: With the availability of Zoom, more Jews are being exposed to Jewish learning, history, and culture than at any point in time. Synagogues, national organizations, and federations are all reporting significant attendance for many of their educational programs. Similarly, significantly larger numbers of Jews are participating in religious worship observances. A new “virtual Judaism” is emerging that represents a level of communal engagement.

Over the years, my articles here and elsewhere[1] have tried to define the characteristics, interests and practices associated with Jewish political behavior. As we gear up for the 2020 elections, it may be useful to redefine some of these core elements while adding some specific insights about this forthcoming campaign, an election described by some as the most important in American history.

Unfortunately, what we are currently witnessing in this society are the makings of a perfect storm for racism and anti-Semitism. A pandemic out of control, an economy in a tailspin, and a nation facing political uncertainty and social tension, all factors that create an environment conducive to producing hate and creating the seeds for violence. The seeds of discontent serve to undermine the principles and practices of American political culture.

This is an extraordinary period in the American historical journey! But it is also a transformational moment for the State of Israel.

This fall, Americans will be determining the future direction of this nation, not only in shaping its political voice but also defining its moral compass. What type of a society will we become in our third century? A confluence of factors is playing out. Is this the American “Spring”? Will the unfolding events surrounding this pandemic, the fallout in connection with the issues of racial injustice, economic dislocation, and social discord fundamentally change our democracy and our civic culture?

There is no sugarcoating this moment: We are facing extraordinary challenges as a country — and as a community. These sets of challenges are inherently linked; when democracy and civil society are threatened, so are Jews. And in many ways, the Jewish community is a reflection of the larger struggles of American society.

There has been a tremendous response of American Jewish institutions to stand up and be counted in support of Black Lives Matter. The vast majority of American Jews support the overall goals of the BLM Movement — to finally and comprehensively address systemic racism in our society. And, importantly, that includes a look inwards at our own community and the persistent barriers and prejudices that have precluded full participation of Jews of color at all levels of Jewish life.

We are experiencing a fundamentally different form of anti-Semitism. This current iteration represents a fundamentally different set of characteristics from prior expressions of hate. Key aspects of this global expression of hate operate differently from prior forms of anti-Jewish expression:

How anti-Semitism is being delivered
What messages are being conveyed
What are the intentions of the contemporary anti-Semite