A Significant Shift in American Jewish Life

This month marked a remarkable change within American Judaism as the largest reconstructionist synagogue in the country severed ties with its national organization, citing the growing presence of anti-Israel sentiments among some rabbis in seminaries.

Kehillat Israel, a California congregation sitting at the progressive end of mainstream Judaism, expressed concerns about what they perceive as a failure to uphold Jewish values regarding Israel.

Rabbi Amy Bernstein addressed her congregation in Pacific Palisades, sharing her exhaustion with the apparent intolerance of certain resurrectionist rabbis towards those they should be supporting.

“It seems they want to use the term ‘Rabbi’ to foster negative feelings about Jewish democracies,” she remarked, highlighting a troubling trend.

This break wasn’t impulsive; it came after considerable reflection, according to Bernstein. “It pains me to say that the movement doesn’t align with our reconstructionist values any longer,” she noted.

Many American Jews, she argued, have quietly watched as progressive rabbis aligned with groups that undermine the safety of Jews, sign petitions that diminish Jewish security, and rally for “Palestine” while overlooking the complexities involved.

The devastation caused by the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israelis seemed to change very little in these discussions.

While open anti-Zionist congregations remain relatively few, various reform and conservative movements still seem to accommodate those who push against Israel’s legitimacy as a Jewish state.

With anti-Zionist sentiments on the rise, it’s disconcerting, to say the least.

Israel is mentioned around 2,500 times in the Hebrew Bible, and over 7 million Jews worldwide hold diverse views on the matter. Yet, daily reports of antisemitic incidents continue to alarm the community.

Moreover, some rogue rabbis use their positions to lend credibility to anti-Israel rhetoric, creating confusion among younger generations.

The reconstructionist movement, founded in the 1920s by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, emphasized the evolution of Jewish culture and humanity. While it wasn’t inherently anti-Zionist, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia has opened admissions to those who don’t necessarily endorse a strong connection to Israel.

A break from Kehillat Israel means they will stop allocating 1% of their annual budget to the national organization. Although reconstructionists consist of only about 3% of American Jews, the largest sect, Reform Judaism, claims around 2 million members.

Diana Falco, a senior rabbi in Manhattan, expressed pride in Kehillat Israel’s decision, hoping it might motivate others to take a stand.

In the broader reform movement, prominent figures like Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch are pushing against anti-Zionism, but major shifts from leadership seem unlikely. Andrew Lefeld, president of Hebrew Union College, underscored the importance of maintaining liberal values without leaning too far into extremism.

There’s an uncomfortable complexity in these discussions. Why not establish clear boundaries?

In a personal experience at a synagogue in Durham, North Carolina, a congregation faced backlash when a member questioned whether a candidate rabbi identified as a Zionist, highlighting the ongoing tensions within the community.

This pattern of disengagement and frustration with anti-Zionism has left many feeling restless in what they once considered their safe space. Kehillat Israel has set an example of how to confront these challenges head-on.

Kathryn Wolf has previously worked as director of community engagement and as a reporter for the Miami Herald.