Recently, in conversation with a group of colleagues, we collectively concluded that our “American experience” had all but disappeared. Indeed, the core assumptions that we had been taught and had come to believe about this nation, our society and our own Jewish community have all come undone! Nor is this essay the first set of reflections on such changes, as the seeds of this unsettling moment have been evolving.

Historically, five principles defined the American Jewish mindset.

The US-Israel partnership was secure and sustainable. This unique relationship was bolstered by bipartisanship, strengthened by a broad base of public support, and enhanced by a cadre of journalists, writers and commentators who embraced this connection. The cultural artifacts were in place as well, involving Christian Zionism, a longstanding connection with American labor, and the presence within selective academic and civic circles of an alignment with this partnership.

By every measure, in 2026, all of this no longer exists! Quite the reverse appears in play today. The critique of Israel, its policies and leaders, appears in full display.

When dealing with global anti-Semitism, America was the exception.  That assumption no longer holds credence. Over the course of the past ten years, anti-Jewish hatred in this nation has risen by nearly 900%.  And the attack on Jews, Judaism, Zionism, and Israel is not only coming from one sector. In the past, Jews always felt a bit more comfortable, when we could identify the source of such hatred emanating from one extreme place or personality. In today’s climate, this assault on Jews is emanating simultaneously from multiple voices. The character and substance of these messages are likewise a composite of old mantras of hate and an array of new images of accusations and misrepresentations.

America was described and experienced as the “Golden Medina” (“Golden Country”) Today, such imagery is no longer offered. Jews fell in love with this country, and now, they wonder if America has fallen out of love with them! This society seems polarized, no longer hospitable, and the instruments of this democracy are not working, at least for many of us!

For so many folks, there has been the loss of trust in the machinery of government and a profound sense of frustration with political and civic leadership. A sense of disillusionment has set in concerning this love affair with America.

Liberalism served as the centerpiece of Jewish political behavior. In this environment. The central attributes of liberalism, advanced in the post-second world war era reflected their American politics and Jewish values. This ideological framework is now under attack, as Democratic progressives challenge a number of its core assumptions and in the process are also seeking to bring down liberal politicians across the country, while the political right has dismissed this value proposition as having failed this nation.

You can walk the streets of America feeling safe! But now, there is a new irony, entering a Jewish institution in this country immediately reminds you that to be a Jew, one’s safety is less certain or assured. Living in this current environment has created a new anxiety for America’s Jews.

Each one of these propositions adds to a growing sense of uncertainty and questioning. Can one still believe in any of these assertions, and if not, what are the options available, if any? As these beliefs appear to lose their credibility, what are the particular implications for Jewish power and security?

All these specific Jewish “turn arounds” have parallel markers found within a broader context. Americans, we find, are generally distrusting and disappointed in their leaders. The unevenness and uncertainty of this nation’s economic picture raises yet another generic level of concern and collective anxiety.  The collapse of significant civic spaces, as memberships and attendance falls among fraternal, civic, and religious organizations speaks to the growing isolation and siloed character of this society. Adding to this downsizing, one finds a corollary drop off within family and friendship circles, as political, social and religious differences are contributing to a growing sense of disconnect among citizens.

 Why is all this bad for America’s Jews? As a community we had heavily invested in this nation’s mythology about patriotism, civic engagement, and voluntarism. We accepted and embraced pluralism, supported inclusion and diversity, and acknowledged the value of political dissent and debate, understanding these value propositions as an essential part of democracy.

Jews in America will need to be conscious that if this experiment in democratic practice fails, we may well be the target of blame. As a collective, we embraced each of these core beliefs and practices and now should these elements of public expression falter, might others perceive Jews as the great defenders of such failed ideas and practices?

Will Jews be a part of a new American experiment? Assuming that they are invited into such a conversation, it is likely to include a set of radically different ideas about the nature of this society moving forward. No doubt, a fundamentally different power structure will emerge.

The once “Jewish Contract with America” now shredded will need to be reconstituted. But what might be the price for such a renegotiated arrangement? The primacy of Jewish influence and access that has so enhanced and served Jewish interests over the past half century will likely be curtailed. In altering the power equation for Jewish Americans, will our standing resort to the spaces assigned to Jews in history, as petitioners with fewer guaranteed points of influence and a conscripted limit on our political power. With such limits we will experience fewer Jewish “wins” in the public square. In light of the demise of alliances with former allies, if we are able to secure new partners, what will be the political price tag comprising such relationships?

Within the mix of all that is transpiring, the internal Jewish communal construct is likewise undergoing a series of contractions and shifts. Living in a divided constituency, one also finds a polity that is increasingly anxious, and far less confident in its institutional leadership.

In all societies, the established power arrangements are at some point renegotiated, either through revolutions or by evolution as new generations reset the patterns of governance and redefine the relationships among the competing political actors. America is currently experiencing such a transformational upheaval. In this its 250th year, this nation will not only revisit its past but will also be exploring its new political moorings and options.

How this society will respond will profoundly impact the status and place of this nation’s Jews.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)