It is no secret that the Jewish community is divided. Whether over the future of Israel, the definition of antisemitism, or the ideal path of American politics, it feels that often the chasm is unbridgeable. In her new book, Polarized: Why American Jews are Divided and What to Do About it, Roberta Rosenthal Kwall masterfully diagnoses and analyzes this problem, offering concrete solutions and avenues where those who disagree can come together.
Kwall begins her book with a callback to the Washington, D.C. rally after October 7th. That event was a highpoint in Jewish unity. However, that coalescence quickly fizzled. This is in part because the divisions within the Jewish community differ from those in broader America. Not only do Jews have to contend with different political views, but our divisions are fed also by different approaches to religion, different ritual norms, and fidelity to different movements (Orthodox vs. Conservative vs. Reform). Our goal, says Kwall, is to learn a second “Jewish language” so we understand the way that other Jews walk through the world.
The author then goes on to explore why certain Jews hold the political views they do. She examines Jewish liberalism through the lens of tikkun olam, the importance of autonomy in every person choosing their own wants and desires, and activism on race, LGBTQ+ issues, and abortion. She then explains conservatism through similar lenses like abortion and LGBTQ+ issues as well as the role of Yeshiva education and the desire to keep the government from meddling in it.
The strongest chapter in the book looks closely at four groups in the Israel debate: right-winger Zionists, identity Zionists, neutral non-Zionists/soft anti-Zionists, and committed anti-Zionists. Kwall thoughtfully diagnoses each group. Where right-winger Zionists tend to avoid criticising the current government, identity Zionists see themselves as Zionists but vary in how connected they feel to Israel, with some assuming the role as strong defenders while others wear their “troubled commitment” on their sleeve. Next up are those with little commitment to Israel or who are more freewheeling with their criticism than with their love. Finally, Kwall unpacks the perspective of those anti-Zionists who oppose and actively work against the idea of a Jewish state.
Kwall acknowledges that some in this taxonomy will not fit under a broad tent. However, she reminds her readers that the far majority of Jews can find agreement on eight core principles. These include Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish democratic state; shock at the rise in antisemitism after October 7th; acknowledging universities’ failures in its wake; the need to fight all antisemitism; condemning all terrorism, including Jewish extremist violence; sympathy for innocent Palestinians; the legitimacy of criticizing Israeli government policy; and the two-state solution as an aspirational ideal. In addition to these ideas, Kwall recommends a few policy positions, namely coordinated education initiatives and curriculum across denominations as well as cross-seminary contact.
The book ends with a powerful image of Natan Sharansky playing chess in his head while in prison. This taught him to think “on the one hand … on the other hand.” This outlook, Kwall believes is the best antidote to this divided time. If we can inhabit another’s thoughts, and maybe even allow ourselves to think expansively, imagining another’s perspectives, we might find the blessing of unity.
Rabbi Marc Katz is the Rabbi at Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield, NJ. He is author of the books Yochanan’s Gamble: Judaism’s Pragmatic Approach to Life (JPS) chosen as a finalist for the PROSE award and The Heart of Loneliness: How Jewish Wisdom Can Help You Cope and Find Comfort (Turner Publishing) which was chosen as a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award.
