Moral Courage in the Senate: A Perspective from Jewish Tradition and Behavioral Science

When Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman testified before Congress in November 2019, delivering his now-famous assurance to his father: “Dad, do not worry, I will be fine for telling the truth” — he embodied something that both Jewish tradition and psychology recognize as profoundly rare: the capacity for moral courage under existential threat.

Now, as Vindman launches his campaign for US Senate in Florida, his candidacy offers American Jews and Israel something increasingly scarce in contemporary politics: a leader whose integrity has been tested not in the abstract realm of political posturing, but in the crucible of genuine personal risk.

I’ve spent my career as a rabbi/psychologist studying what makes people capable of ethical action when it’s costly. The research is clear, and so is the Jewish textual tradition: authentic moral leadership emerges not from those who have never faced consequences, but from those who have faced them and stood firm anyway.

The Psychology of Tested Character

Behavioral science reveals that genuine moral courage, acting ethically despite severe personal cost, is fundamentally different from ordinary decision-making. When doing the right thing threatens livelihood, safety, or reputation, most people choose self-preservation. This isn’t weakness, it’s human nature.

Studies of moral exemplars show that for these rare individuals, betraying their core values creates greater psychological distress than facing external threats. Vindman found it more unbearable to stay silent about presidential misconduct than to risk his career and safety. This isn’t political calculation, it’s deep character.

Social psychologist Phil Zimbardo’s research on heroism identified key factors: early experiences of standing up despite pressure, strong moral identity, and witnessing role models who demonstrated that integrity survives consequences. Vindman had such a model: his father, Semyon, who fled Soviet antisemitism at age 47, leaving behind status and security to give his three young sons freedom. That lesson, integrity requires sacrifice, but you survive and rebuild, established patterns Vindman would rely on decades later.

The Jewish Refugee Story

The Vindman family fled Soviet Ukraine in 1979 when Alexander and his twin Yevgeny were three years old. Their mother had just died. Their father faced intensifying antisemitism, including quotas limiting Jewish access to higher education, systemic discrimination, and the constant refrain to “go to your Israel.”

Soviet Jews granted exit permission were stripped of citizenship and given refugee status for Israel. But many, including the Vindmans, chose American resettlement through HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society). This wasn’t rejecting Israel, rather it was embracing the full spectrum of Jewish possibility. Semyon chose to build his sons’ futures in America. All three boys joined the US military through ROTC. Alexander earned a Purple Heart after being wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq. Eugene is now a Congressman from Virginia.

During his impeachment testimony, Vindman was offered three times the position of Ukrainian defense minister. Each time he declined, reporting the offers to counterintelligence. “I am an American,” he said simply.

Jewish tradition has a concept for this: kavod, honor earned through integrity. The Talmud teaches, “Eizehu mechubad? Hamechabed et habriyot — Who is honored? One who honors others” (Pirkei Avot 4:1). Vindman honored his oath, his country, and his father’s sacrifice by telling the truth regardless of personal cost.

What This Means for American Jews and Israel

American Jews have always navigated loyalty accusations, the poisonous “dual loyalty” canard suggesting our commitment to the United States is compromised by connection to Israel or global Jewish peoplehood.

Vindman faced this ugly pattern. Trump allies questioned his loyalty because he was born in Ukraine and speaks Russian. Never mind that he came as a toddler fleeing antisemitism. Never mind his decorated military service and Purple Heart. The insinuation: he’s not really one of us.

The projection is transparent: those questioning Vindman’s loyalty were themselves demonstrating divided loyalty, to Trump personally rather than constitutional principles. Classic projection defense mechanism: accuse others of your own transgression.

Vindman’s candidacy offers a counter-narrative. Here is a Jewish refugee who chose American citizenship, served in combat, was wounded defending this country, and when faced with presidential misconduct, put oath over career. His loyalty was tested in ways his accusers never will be.

For Israel, this matters enormously. Israel’s security depends on US support rooted in shared democratic values and strategic interests. Recent years have fractured this consensus; the right ties Israel support to culture wars, while elements of the left embrace anti-Israel rhetoric. Authoritarian-friendly voices in both parties question supporting democracies abroad.

Vindman represents principle-centered foreign policy. Consider what he testified about: Trump pressuring Ukraine, leveraging military aid as personal currency. This signaled to adversaries that American security commitments are transactional and unreliable, profoundly dangerous for Israel, which depends on US credibility.

A senator who understands that American credibility is a strategic asset, that alliances must be principled rather than personal, and that democracies must support each other against authoritarian pressure—this serves Israel’s long-term interests far more than performative “pro-Israel” positions paired with authoritarian sympathies.

The Talmud teaches: “Eilu v’eilu divrei Elohim chayim” — legitimate disagreement on policies is acceptable. What Jewish tradition cannot tolerate is bad faith, lies, and corruption of process. Vindman’s testimony upheld the principle that how we make policy matters, that truth matters, that oaths matter.

Israel needs American leaders who believe that not performative cheerleaders who abandon principle when convenient, but people whose commitment to democratic values runs so deep they’ll sacrifice their careers for it.

Character Through Crisis

Research on post-traumatic growth shows that people emerge stronger from adversity through three factors: deeply held values tested and reinforced, social support affirming their actions, and integrating difficult experiences into coherent identity.

Vindman experienced all three. He was fired, forced into retirement, subjected to presidential attacks, and faced death threats. Yet he emerged with principles intact, family strong, supported by his synagogue (Congregation Adat Reyim in Virginia) and the broader public who recognized his courage.

Studies on leadership show that leaders who have faced genuine consequences and survived become more effective. They’ve tested their principles against reality. They’re less likely to be corrupted by power because they’ve already chosen principle over power when it counted.

Florida voters will choose between Ashley Moody, appointed by DeSantis, untested in statewide election, whose primary qualification is Trump loyalty, and Vindman, whose constitutional loyalty cost him his career. One candidate has been tested under fire. One hasn’t.

Psychologists distinguish between transactional leaders, those operating through rewards, punishments, and loyalty, and transformational leaders who inspire through values, vision, and personal example. Research consistently shows transformational leadership produces better long-term outcomes.

Vindman’s superior officer in Moscow stated: “I trusted Alex with my life. I still do.” That trust wasn’t based on personal loyalty but on demonstrated competence and unwavering ethics.

Florida has become solidly Republican. Trump won it by 13 points in 2024. Vindman faces long odds.

But from both rabbinical and psychological perspectives, a candidacy’s value isn’t purely instrumental. Sometimes moral witness matters regardless of outcome.

The Talmud asks: Why blow the shofar if we’re already in danger? Answer: She-telech el-livamso  — the sound enters your heart (Rosh Hashanah 26b). Some actions are about formation, not just results.

Vindman’s candidacy reminds us what moral courage looks like in practice. It demonstrates that integrity survives consequences. It shows that refugees can become patriots. It proves that choosing principle over power is possible, even when the power is presidential.

For Israel, supporting principle-centered leaders means supporting the democratic ecosystem that makes reliable US-Israel partnership possible. Authoritarian-friendly politicians may offer temporary benefits, but they undermine the values-based framework sustaining American support for democracies globally.

For American Jews facing rising antisemitism and loyalty accusations, Vindman provides a powerful counter-story: we are not conditionally American. Our values make us more American. Our capacity for moral courage strengthens democracy.

The ancient Greeks had a concept: ethos — character revealed in crisis. Jewish tradition calls it middot — character traits that determine how you act when tested.

Vindman’s character has been tested and proven. Whether he wins or loses in November, his candidacy reminds us what leadership should look like: not performative strength that collapses under pressure, but quiet strength that endures through consequences.

For American Jews and Israel, supporting candidates of character — regardless of party affiliation — is the only strategy that works. Principle-free allies are unreliable. Values-based partners endure.

Alexander Vindman chose truth over career, principle over safety, oath over power. That choice cost him dearly. But it revealed who he is.

In both Jewish tradition and psychology, that revelation is called kavod, meaning earned honor. It’s called moral courage. It’s called integrity.

And it’s called leadership.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)