American Jewish establishment

People attend a rally in Jerusalem held in solidarity with Jews in the United States and across the world following a wave of antisemite attacks on Jews and in parallel to the rally held in New York, January 5, 2020. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)

Is the ‘antisemitism crisis’ on US college campuses real?

Journalist Arno Rosenfeld explains how the narrative pushed by establishment groups is disconnected from most Jewish students' experiences on campus, especially around Israel.

By Natasha Soffer-Roth June 28, 2023

A rally against rising antisemitism under the banner of "No Hate, No Fear," Jan, 5, 2020. (Gili Getz)

‘Anti-antisemitism’ was meant to unite American Jews. Why is it backfiring?

For years U.S. Jewish leaders tried to center diaspora identity around Israel. But the battle to redefine antisemitism shows it is no longer working.

By Nathan J. Brown and Daniel Nerenberg June 13, 2023

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking before the U.S. Congress, March 3, 2015. (Official Photo for Speaker John Boehner by Heather Reed/Flickr)

Will the midterms spell the end of US ‘red lines’ on Israel?

Foundation for Middle East Peace President Lara Friedman speaks to +972 about a dangerous new phase in American pro-Israel politics.

By Nate Orbach November 7, 2022

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Rabbi Meir Kahane. (Moshe Shai/Flash90)

Is Kahane more mainstream than American Jews will admit?

A new biography explores the American roots of Meir Kahane's far-right ideology — and how the U.S. Jewish establishment embraced his beliefs.

By Hadas Binyamini December 30, 2021

Activists from IfNotNow protest outside Birthright Israel’s offices in New York City, April 5, 2019. (Gili Getz)

US Jews are increasingly vocal on Israel. Why are their progressive groups still silent?

Establishment Jewish organizations are working to shut down all criticism of Israel. Will their challengers on the left finally take a stance?

By Zach Weinstein February 12, 2021

IfNotNow activists protesting against Birthright programs in New York. (Gili Getz)

American Jewish leaders betray their community by backing Trump’s deal

The American Jewish establishment's alignment with philo-Semitic officials and the pro-settler right is not in the interest of Jews in Israel or the diaspora.

By Mairav Zonszein February 2, 2020

Members of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice protest in New York. (Kyle O'Leary)

How to deal with modern anti-Semitism? The Jewish Left is leading the way

For too long, the Right has claimed a monopoly on fighting antisemitism, especially when it relates to Israel. It’s been a fraught year for the American Jewish Left. Anti-Semitism continues to be stoked by the president and his inner and outer circles; the institutional Jewish community is openly courting anti-Semites; and verbal and legislative assaults from the…

By Natasha Soffer-Roth November 17, 2017

Education Minister Naftali Bennett, MK David Bitan, Culture Minister Miri Regev and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attend a Knesset plenum session, December 5, 2016. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

American Jews have the power to oppose Israel’s gov’t. Will they use it?

Jewish American leaders are slowly beginning to understand just how vast the gap is between their values and those represented by the Israeli government. Princeton University Hillel sparked controversy earlier this week after announcing it would indefinitely postpone a scheduled speech by Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely. The decision came after protests by students from…

By Joshua Leifer November 9, 2017