Why American Jews are abandoning Israel
Jonathan Sarna writes in Haaretz (originally in the Forward) why American Jews - specifically young, non-Orthodox American Jews - are abandoning Israel. There is, nevertheless, a critical difference between support for Israel in the past and today. For much of the 20th century, the Israel of American Jews - the Zion that they imagined in their minds, wrote about and worked to realize - was a mythical Zion, a utopian extension of the American dream. Proponents conjured up a Zion that they described as a "social commonwealth." They conceived of it both as an "outpost of democracy," spreading America's ideals eastward, and as a Jewish refuge where freedom, liberty and social justice would someday reign supreme.And so many young people today aren't willing to work on their marriages and therefore divorce rates are going up. Well, maybe.
Louis Brandeis, the great lawyer and Supreme Court justice who for a pivotal time around World War I led the American Zionist movement, served as high priest and chief prophet for this vision of Zion. The Zionist "Declaration of Principles" known as the Pittsburgh Program, produced in 1918 under his direction, called, among other things, for "political and civil equality irrespective of race, sex, or faith"; public ownership of land and natural resources; "the cooperative principle" applied to industry, agriculture and commerce, and "free public instruction."
Brandeis's goal was to create not just a Jewish state, but a utopian Jewish state - one that drew on American experience; took advantage of the latest in social, economic and political thinking, and conformed to prophetic teachings. "Our aim is the Kingdom of Heaven," he once exclaimed, and the declaration reveals much about the kind of Zion that he and many Jews of an earlier era envisaged: nothing less than a heaven on earth.
This dream long outlasted Brandeis. My generation of American Jews was raised to view the Zionist project through similarly rose-colored glasses. Now, though, that dream, which had more to do with the lofty visions of American Jews than with the sordid realities of the Middle East, lies shattered beyond repair. In place of the utopia that we had hoped Israel might become, young Jews today often view Israel through the eyes of contemporary media: They fixate upon its unloveliest warts.
...
When the bloom falls off of young love, there are always those who announce that their relationship is in trouble and prepare for divorce. So it is today with too many American Jews and their "waning love" for Israel. The deepest and most meaningful of relationships, however, survive disappointments.
But I believe that these Jews (some of whom aren't actually Jews, but that's a whole different ballgame) are abandoning Israel in droves because support for Israel is no longer seen as compatible with Liberalism, and Liberalism is the new religion for many non-Orthodox Jews.
But since I'm Orthodox (as is Sarna I believe - his parents lived down the street from mine for many years and they prayed in the same synagogue), I may not be the best one to comment on that issue.
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:46 AM
5 Comments:
My conversation with a substitute teacher - a Mr. Rabinowitz - several days ago probably sums it up best.
While he admits his father is a 'hardcore' Zionist, he himself is not. From books I've read I've received the impression that many American Jews developed a great pride in Israel following the 1967 war, because they recognized the Jews as the outnumbered underdog. My teachers father probably grew up during this time period.
But my substitute grows up in a time period where Israel is no longer viewed as an underdog - but an oppressor of the poor 'Palestinians.' One only needs to look at a map of the Middle East to know this isn't true...but its not to be.
Liberalism of the current variety doesn't have much use for the traditional American dream either.
I think there an inverse correlation between one's spiritual observance and support for Israel. One would expect secular Americans to be the least supportive of Israel and those who attend synagogue and church frequently to be the most supportive. That indeed seems to be the case. As Israel has changed so are the kind of people who support the Jewish State today.
In the early 1900's the Rabbeim of eastern Europe told their brethren not to go to the golden medina. Obviously the 2 million that went ignored that advice. Since they ignored it they were obviously( on average) the Jews most likely to have gentile children/grandchildren, become reform,replace Judaism with liberalism, and be quiet during the Holocaust. ( disclaimer I am a BT from that segment).
So is it a shock that their descendants-Jew and goy- don't care about Jewish issues and marry goyim and start orgs. like ISM?
Thank goodness for the survivors.
I'm American. I'm Jewish. I'm married (15 years) to a non-Jew. We have 4 kids, all of whom are Jewish (just ask them... ritualistically, ethically, practically). They announce to everyone that they are Jewish, even to their non-Jewish cousins and grandparents.
This my American Jewish liberalism.
It may not be consistent with other forms of liberalism, but I point this out, in order to help people avoid white-wash classifications on the issue.
I thank G-d I fell in love with and married a non-Jewish girl, since it caused me to more carefully examine my own Jewishness. Had a married a Jewish girl, I believe I would have taken for granted my own religion and heritage. My wife plays a critical role in continuing to see that our children are meeting their educational requirements at Torah School, so it's a shared responsibility -- as natural and ongoing as breathing.
I'm also an ardent fan of and support Israel. I have relatives living in Israel, married to Israelis, with Israeli their children. It pains me to see American Jews fail to see that attacks on the FACT of Israel are also attacks on them as Jews.
It's more than simply a lacking courage of conviction. That's a failure of message, friends.
Recently, I made sure that my kids spoke directly with Yuri Foreman on the phone the Sunday before his recent title bout in NYC. If I had direct links to other famous Jewish sports and entertainment figures (Natalie Portman, Zac Ephron, Shawn Green...), then I would do the same thing.
Regarding the Israel imperative, we cannot successfully speak the language used by our parents and grandparents to the next generation of Jewish Americans. It is well established that Americans are excellent shapers and consumers of information. We must not use a black and white TV (by analogy) to spread the positive, compelling, and vital message that IS Israel to Jewish Americans.
We must individually reach into our personal contacts, spread the message of strength and vitality, and show it to those who are apathetic.
Blaming the consumer isn't a solution, however good it makes us feel at the moment. If the message isn't working, then the message itself and delivery method have to be changed. And change is constant. The message has to be continually tailored, so that our Jewish children look to us individually and their larger adult Jewish community as the heroes we actually are.
Post a Comment
<< Home