This year, the Jewish People Policy Institute’s Jewish World Dialogue examined the phenomenon of polarization among Diaspora Jewry, particularly in North America, in relation to Israeli government policy on controversial issues – primarily regarding the geopolitical question of the Palestinians in Judea and Samaria, and the religion and state matter of religious pluralism. It is important to note that a significant majority – but not all – of the participants hold liberal worldviews.

Historically, Jewish leadership, as a rule, pursued a shared agenda rooted in a covenant of fate among Jews, wherever they were. Today, cracks in this unity are increasingly apparent, especially in regard to attitudes toward the State of Israel. Heartbreaking reports are heard about denying acceptance to other fellow Jews based on their positions, categorizing them as either “loyal” or “disloyal” to their Judaism. Interestingly, and paradoxically, the polarization among Diaspora Jews according to their stance on Israel may point to the centrality of the state as a nexus of Jewish identity. People argue about what is important to them.

The authors of this report identify three contributing factors to this polarization: the first is universal – the social, political, and cultural polarization trends that currently characterize the zeitgeist of the Western world. The second corresponds to what is happening in Israel – the liberal majority among North American Jewry is grappling with its relationship to the Israeli government and its policies, which represent a right-wing, conservative worldview. The third, and perhaps most interesting and complex of all, relates to the meaning of Jewish identity in the Diaspora. Some interpret their Judaism through the lens of a particularist Jewish identity grounded in national and religious uniqueness, and others emphasize the liberal-universal characteristics of Judaism. In the past, embracing this duality of identity was made possible by a spirit of tolerance; today, many feel the need to “choose a side” and delegitimize other Jews based on the interpretation of their own Judaism – hence the polarization.

In light of this, the leaders of JPPI’s Jewish World Dialogue pose an important

and urgent question: could this polarization, which largely derives from a dispute over the meaning of Jewish identity, lead to a historical rift within Diaspora Jewry that will not only compromise joint action in confronting challenges (such as antisemitism), but which may also dictate redefined boundaries within the Jewish collective, such that certain Jewish identity groups will not recognize the affiliation of other groups to the Jewish people writ large?

It is important to emphasize that the seismic events of the past year,

including some that occurred after the 2023 Dialogue process was completed, may reshape some of the positions voiced in the Dialogue discussion groups. The sociopolitical struggle within Israel in response to the government’s proposed judicial overhaul exacerbated polarization within Israeli society; the “Iron Swords” war activated a reverse vector, as Israelis rallied around the slogan “Together we will win.” Might the pathological outbreak of antisemitism in North America and elsewhere in the world similarly inspire a renewed sense of Jewish unity? How will all of this effect polarization trends within Diaspora Jewry? On the one hand, we tend to come together in the face of attacks from the outside – on Israel and on Diaspora Jewry; on the other hand, the way Israel has conducted the war could be perceived as illegitimate by some Diaspora Jews. Furthermore, the focus of the polarization within Diaspora Jewry has shifted in recent months to weighty and existential questions about the justification and legitimacy of a Jewish nation-state and Zionism.

In addition to the task of describing and analyzing the phenomenon of polarization, this report presents recommendations for action: expanding “Israel Studies” in a way that will broaden the knowledge base among Diaspora Jewry; cultivating experience-sharing encounters between Jews with different viewpoints and adopting a criterion that is both clear and inclusive to grant an “entry ticket” to the arena where the Jewish conversation takes place in the Diaspora: an explicit and public recognition of the right of the Jewish people to sovereignty in their historical homeland.

We are deeply grateful to the Dialogue’s talented and dedicated project heads, the authors of this report, Dr. Shlomo Fischer and Dr. John Ruskay; both are JPPI senior fellows.