We Stand Divided
The Rift Between American Jews and Israel
-
-
3.7 • 6 Ratings
-
-
- $0.99
Publisher Description
From National Jewish Book Award Winner and author of Israel, a bold reevaluation of the tensions between American and Israeli Jews that reimagines the past, present, and future of Jewish life
Relations between the American Jewish community and Israel are at an all-time nadir. Since Israel’s founding seventy years ago, particularly as memory of the Holocaust and of Israel’s early vulnerability has receded, the divide has grown only wider. Most explanations pin the blame on Israel’s handling of its conflict with the Palestinians, Israel’s attitude toward non-Orthodox Judaism, and Israel’s dismissive attitude toward American Jews in general. In short, the cause for the rupture is not what Israel is; it’s what Israel does.
These explanations tell only half the story. We Stand Divided examines the history of the troubled relationship, showing that from the outset, the founders of what are now the world’s two largest Jewish communities were responding to different threats and opportunities, and had very different ideas of how to guarantee a Jewish future.
With an even hand, Daniel Gordis takes us beyond the headlines and explains how Israel and America have fundamentally different ideas about issues ranging from democracy and history to religion and identity. He argues that as a first step to healing the breach, the two communities must acknowledge and discuss their profound differences and moral commitments. Only then can they forge a path forward, together.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A gloomy view of relations between American Jews and Israel is provided by Jerusalem Post columnist Gordis (Saving Israel) in this thoughtful examination of the history of relations between the two major Jewish communities. Gordis opens his analysis by quoting recent provocative remarks from Israeli diplomatic officials Alon Pinkas and Tzipi Hotovely. While Pinkas believes Israel's policies stand at the heart of the divide, Hotovely believes American Jews fail to fully understand Israel's realities. After setting up the rift, Gordis pulls back to offer a wider perspective, noting that for much of the time since political Zionism was created in 1897, the relationship between the American and Zionist Jewish communities "has been complex at best and often even openly antagonistic." He makes a persuasive case that fundamental issues such as the conflict between the universalist ideals of the U.S. and its Jewish population, and Israel's particular religious nationalism have always been at the heart of the schism. In the end, he believes the situation is not susceptible to easy resolution even if Israel achieved peace with the Palestinians. Unfortunately, Gordis's cogent presentation is marred by significant omissions, in particular the political alliance of President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Nonetheless, this will be a valuable conversation starter for Jewish communities within the U.S. and Israel.
