Healing the rift between Israeli and American Jews

During the Democratic National Convention, millions of television viewers saw former President Bill Clinton sporting a pin with the name “Hillary” in Hebrew letters — even though probably fewer than 2 percent of them could appreciate the gesture. For most Israelis, it’s merely just another example of the influence Jews have on American politics and their support for Israel. Unfortunately, most Israelis take that level of support for granted.

Last month, I had the privilege of meeting representatives from many aspects of the rich, complex, multilayered world of American Jewry in Los Angeles and San Francisco. We traveled as part of Kolot, an Israeli-based group that brings young Israeli adults closer to their American counterparts. 

My immediate insight was that we Israelis actually don’t know much about these Americans. We are not accustomed to their sense of commitment and community, to other perspectives and reflections on Jewish life, to their challenges and their diversity — and to the extent of their connection to Israel.

Among the many Jewish congregations and organizations we visited, there were quite different approaches toward Judaism and the role of American Jewry in U.S. society. Yet it seemed that they all agreed they have a special, almost unbreakable bond with Israel, regardless of its current policies. Digging into this connection, one discovered a mixture of tradition, commitment, belonging, longing, responsibility and variable degrees of guilt for not being in the trenches.

For many years, the equation between Israeli and American Jews seemed simple and stable: You give us money and political support, we give you a shared goal, purpose and cause for cross-denominational unity. But lately, it seems as if this equation is not balanced anymore. Israeli governments, public opinion, demography, perceptions and values — all are trending in a direction opposite to those of most American Jews. Soon enough, you might discover that the core values you cherish are being defied and diminished in Israel. 

Beneath the surface, the gap between Israeli Jews and American Jews continues to expand. It’s not all about the Palestinian conflict or the Iran deal. It boils down to the fact that many of your sons and daughters won’t be able to marry in Israel, as their denomination is unrecognized and denounced by the Orthodox establishment and Israeli marital laws. You’ll find it hard to get the recognition and respect you used to get in the States, being outsiders to the Israeli mainstream.

 Your concept of Jewish culture and the role of religion and community are almost strange to many of the central secular group of Israeli society. Many of the seculars will offer you to leave it to the Datim, or, in the words of a Jewish leader I’ve met with: “Israelis have allergies to synagogues.” The case study is already here for you to observe, in the form of continuing alienation between Israeli-Americans and Jewish Americans in the States.

In order to cope with this growing rift, it’s time to shift the perception and rebalance the equation. First, recognize that Israel — as many of your parents and grandparents knew it — has changed. Some may say “evolved,” others maintain it has deteriorated, but American Jews should change as well. The traditional roles as donors and lobbyists are still significant — but cannot be exclusive. As a community, as stakeholders in the Jewish homeland, you have not only the right but the obligation to become more involved — and even more important: Recognize what you have to offer besides your money, and what Israel could offer you, besides taking it.

Also, Israelis and American Jews alike should aspire to establish a more reciprocal relationship. Young Israelis should get acquainted with the immense achievements of their American counterparts, from all denominations. They should visit the congregations, the various organizations and activities of almost half of the Jewish world, recognize that alongside the historical achievement of Jewish statehood lies another remarkable story of Jews in the U.S., accomplishing intellectual, social and monetary achievements of epic scale. Israelis should know, since it’s their birthright, as well. Not as shlichim, not as beggars, but as equal colleagues of faith. 

You should take part in the revival of the Hebrew and Jewish culture, deal and take a stand with moral dilemmas that come with sovereignty, and try harder to reach out to the Israeli public, not only to its leaders. You should share with Israelis the impact of their choices on you and express your concerns; stop hiding the differences and controversies.

In other words, you have to speak up. As stakeholders in Israel, you have a say, and the obligation to express it. If Israel wishes to remain relevant to you, if it still wants to be considered as your homeland, and even just as an “insurance policy,” it’ll have to listen. If you want your future generations to feel that they belong in the Jewish homeland, they must change as well.

Ofir Richman is a content strategy professional and a communication lecturer at Tel Aviv University and IDC Herzliya. He is a former executive producer of Israeli “Meet the Press” and television news broadcasts. He lives in Herzliya, Israel.