Category Archives: American Jews

Have the Jewish People Become too “WEIRD?”

Earlier this week I wrote about what Yoram Hazony calls “The Virtue of Nationalism,” the idea that independent nation-states with ethnically homogeneous populations and limited borders provide a better opportunity to maximize individual freedom and satisfaction than large imperial conglomerations … Continue reading

Posted in American Jews, Israeli Society, Zionism | 2 Comments

Jonathan Pollard is a Litmus Test. But for What?

The arrival of Jonathan Pollard in Israel 35 years after his arrest for espionage on Israel’s behalf has made me think about the position of the Jew in the diaspora, particularly in America. There are facts about Pollard’s case that … Continue reading

Posted in American Jews, The Jewish people | 2 Comments

Birthright and Jewish Continuity

Since 2009, the Jewish Futures Project at Brandeis University has been following participants in the Birthright Israel program to try to see how the program affected their Jewish identity. Since those who choose to take Birthright trips to Israel would … Continue reading

Posted in American Jews, American society | 6 Comments

Are Israeli Jews “Betraying” Americans by Liking Trump?

Here we go again. Another yawning gulf between Israelis and American Jews, “a rupture that threatens Jews everywhere, the trust between Jews in Israel and the Diaspora, and in the long run, Israel,” say Evan Morris and Dennis Jett. It’s … Continue reading

Posted in American Jews, American politics | 4 Comments

Another Unfriendly Voice in American Politics

On 5 January 2021 there will be a special election in Georgia for two senatorial candidates. This election is important, because if both Democrats win – and they are leading in the polls – the US Senate will be equally … Continue reading

Posted in American Jews, American politics | 1 Comment

The Day After Election Day

It’s a rainy Wednesday morning in Rehovot, and the US election is undecided. I have made my preference for Donald Trump clear. I understand the reasons that many Americans oppose him, but they are focusing on the media-amplified and distorted … Continue reading

Posted in American Jews, American politics, Iran, Jew Hatred, Middle East politics | 6 Comments

Roosevelt and the Jews

My grandparents adored Franklin D. Roosevelt. If he had lived to run, they would have voted for a fifth term. They came to America from Russia around 1910, and worked as sewing machine operators in the NY garment district. My … Continue reading

Posted in American Jews, American politics, Jew Hatred, War | 4 Comments

Unfinished Business

Who remembers Jonathan Pollard? He spied on the US for Israel. Despite insinuations to the contrary, he did not cause the exposure and murder of American agents in Russia (spy Aldrich Ames, now serving a life sentence, cast suspicion on … Continue reading

Posted in American Jews, Jew Hatred | 8 Comments