Establishing the Essentials: Rediscovering Jewish Community Relations

Political divisions today are defining not only the American landscape but also the Jewish communal space. One can argue that our society has been transformed by an array of social and political factors. Among the major elements reshaping our society are major population shifts, issues of acculturation and assimilation, the decline of civility, and the impact of such competing ideas as national conservatism, post-modernism, and Christian nationalism.

The conduct of political discourse has radically changed as technology has disrupted and transformed the way in which dialogue and debate are carried forward. Today, our society finds itself more divided than in earlier periods, with multiple voices representing different and competing ideas about society, core priorities, and policies.

 The Challenges Before Us:

 Despite both the rapid and radical social changes, constituencies of all different types are in search of allies, anxious to find partners. More Americans than ever speak to the concerns about finding common ground amidst a disruptive and uncertain political culture. “Brokenism” has become the unifying idea, as citizens search for those shared values that once defined their belief in community and provided social cohesion.

We are encountering a radically changing public square, as the data points to a serious educational vacuum not only involving a growing lack of knowledge about this nation’s political system among its citizenry, but Jews are confronting a society with a limited understanding of Judaism, Israel, and Jewish history.

When it comes to a working knowledge of American government, 70% of those interviewed in a 2024 study failed a basic civics education quiz. A citizenry unfamiliar with the principles and practices of democracy represents a prescription for the undoing of this republic.

Similarly, few Americans are familiar with the core elements of this nation’s history. An informed constituency represents a core requirement for a democracy to flourish. Further, we need to remind ourselves that minorities, including Jews, can only thrive in a democratic society when its citizenry is both informed and engaged.

Further, we have a unique opportunity, especially at a time of increased Jewish hatred and anti-Zionist expression, to re-introduce the value of interreligious engagement and intergroup dialogue. A 2019 Pew Study noted that over 70% of Americans have little to no understanding of Judaism. Only 19% of Americans described themselves as “knowledgeable” about Israel and the Middle East, reminding us of the significant effort ahead to effectively build an informed and supportive pro-Israel constituency.

A  recent study across all 50 states revealed not only a profound lack of knowledge, especially among younger generations, but a belief held by “nearly 20 percent of Millennials and Gen Z…who feel the Jews caused the Holocaust.”

For the first time in decades, support for Israel among Americans has dropped below 50% (46%), further reminding us of the educational and advocacy opportunities that the pro-Israel community must develop.

If we believe that “all politics is local,” then community-based organizing should be a relevant and essential strategy. The ability to create connections and ties with other key constituencies remains essential. Building relationships framed around democratic and communal values, shared political interests, and core goals ought to be seen as essential.

The Jewish Stake in America:

All of these factors speak to the specific and immediate challenges facing American Jewry.  In addition, traditional democratic liberalism is being challenged, and the generation of American liberals is itself coming to an end, raising questions concerning how Jews will define and reshape their political future. A core element to the continued role and influence that America’s Jews have enjoyed will require the revitalization of our community’s political apparatus.

We find today that the Jewish communal sector is bereft of the players, the process, and the program that defined the age of community relations and political advocacy. Despite those who have criticized the failed efforts of the community relations enterprise, this discipline remains core to Jewish interests.

The policy issues themselves are changing, just as the political principles upon which they are anchored, as we acknowledge a widening split of viewpoints and perspectives around such questions as church-state, civil rights and liberties, economic justice, the rule of law, and even the idea of democracy.

We will need to appreciate the shifting patterns of communal practice, as liberal ideas and beliefs are being questioned and challenged. We acknowledge that there is a body of Jewish political thought that holds a contrarian view with reference to Jewish liberal inclinations.

In summary, the critique of Jewish liberalism often revolves around the tension between universal liberal values and the specific needs and shifting interests of the Jewish community, particularly in relation to Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It also raises questions about the compatibility of liberalism with traditional Jewish values and practices. 

In Walter A. Lurie’s seminal work, Strategies For Survival: Principles of Community Relations, he reminds us that Jews have for centuries struggled with such concerns as to how best advance Jewish civic policy. His text offers us some 62 core principles associated with Jewish political advocacy.

While we will enter this work employing some of the same values that previously framed our agenda, we will require different organizing tools to achieve a new set of policy outcomes.

The Organizing Agenda:

This is the moment where communities need to invest in inter-religious dialogue, intergroup relations, civics education, and community-based conversations. Even prior to returning to the community relations process, the task of educating our community on the value-added outcomes associated with such a commitment will be essential. One of the central tasks before us will be to train a cadre of leaders who are equipped and knowledgeable to effectively represent Jewish interests and possess the leadership skills in diplomacy, negotiation, and the art of community relations, while also possessing a rich knowledge of Jewish history and culture.

A four-stage program of Jewish political organizing will be required.

Political Education and Training:  Preparing the next generation in understanding the value-added of political engagement and activism must be seen as a priority. Schools, camps, and youth movements would need to be a part of this effort to prepare the next cohort of informed participants and activists, as we build into the communal system the priority of such work.

Community Organizing: Mobilizing community organizations to be actively involved in public affairs and outreach should be seen as a value-added.

Political Advocacy: Moving toward a consensus-based community platform, outlining the principles and policies essential for enhancing our democracy while advancing Jewish interests. Drawing off the ideas of a cross section of thinkers and writers, we will need to construct a public policy formula.

Community Relations: Creating training programs designed to prepare individuals and groups to participate in intergroup and interreligious dialogue, representing the interests of the Jewish community. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but one thing is clear: American Jewry’s position in this society will be at greater risk if we fail to invest more deeply in intergroup relations.

There is a corollary need to reframe what priorities and issues are central to the Jewish communal platform. Similarly, in a changing political environment, we will need to identify both old and new community partners. In building such connections, we must seek allies who hold views that

• affirm the integrity and right of the Jewish people to its national homeland;
• hold Judaism to be a legitimate, living religious tradition and a core cultural anchor of Western civilization; and
• support the rights of Jews, wherever they may live, to enjoy personal freedoms and religious protections

Rabbi Doug Kahn and I previously had occasion to reflect on the field’s transformative changes, but to also frame benchmarks of what one ought to expect from potential allies and friends.

• Unambiguous condemnation of major terror attacks directed against Israel, Jews, and Judaism.
• Reaching out to Jewish community allies with personal messages of concern and solidarity.
• A willingness to speak out swiftly and forcefully against overt acts of antisemitism.
• A commitment not to publicly endorse anti-Israel statements or take positions that oppose Israel’s right to defend itself.
• Demonstrating willingness to actively seek to forestall anti-Israel resolutions in their arenas of influence.

How we move forward, and with whom, present critical features to growing our imprint and access. Posted below are eight principles of practice that may be particularly useful in advancing these critical conversations:

• Political discourse demands that groups engage with not only their perceived allies but also those constituencies seen as challenging or threatening to Jewish political interests. Dispelling misconceptions and gaining a richer, better understanding of their beliefs and goals can only enhance their and our understanding of the divisions that separate us, while possibly opening new doors for potentially constructive outcomes.
• In dialogue with others, we should candidly acknowledge the internal divisions and disagreements that define the current state of the Jewish world. Demonstrating diversity of opinion need not be seen as a weakness, nor should it be denied its reality. Even as we confront our internal divisions, there remain shared core outcomes that reflect a communal consensus.
• The dialogue process itself begins around a shared set of values that all parties must be able to accept.
• One enters the dialogue process with a set of desired outcomes, beginning with minimal expectations but ending with hopefully achieving maximal results.
• Respect for those groups with whom we engage represents a central premise in creating serious and open conversation.
• Selective engagement will define much of our future work, as we acknowledge areas of shared concern with some of our partners, even as we agree to disagree around those issues where we hold differing positions.
• “Wins” should be seen as gradual steps toward achieving consensus. “Victories” need to be understood as mutually beneficial to all parties. Losses can and should be anticipated as interest groups must acknowledge that there will be times where there is an absence of agreement. The process itself must be appreciated, even celebrated, as an expression of democracy at work!

End Note:

Jews are deeply intertwined with the American political system, and as such our fate and well-being are linked to the general welfare of this democracy. Being political actors represents one of the essential roles we must play, as we engage with other religious, ethnic, and political actors in helping to shape the American story.

Just as our community is being reshaped by differing political beliefs and changing perspectives about our future security and status, a new iteration of politics is emerging within our society.

How we perform in advancing democratic notions and in promoting Jewish considerations will define our future and that of this republic.