Abstract
Although the arguments of both Cohen–Kelman and Sasson–Kadushin-Saxe are well presented and are based on careful analyses of the data each utilized, the Cohen–Kelman thesis is more convincing because there is a variety of evidence supporting it and because its argument with respect to connectedness with Israel fits within a larger framework of patterns of American Jewish identity and identification.
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Notes
It should be emphasized that the issue is that of emotional attachment. In terms of political support, America’s Jews are overwhelmingly pro-Israel, which should be no surprise; polls consistently find that most Americans are pro-Israel.
It should be noted that, although these are the patterns which prevail in “normal” times, evidence suggests that when there is a significant crisis in the homeland, ethno-religious expressions among some diaspora nationalists do tend to increase (Jacobson 1995). Among a significant number of American Jews, this was evident in increased philanthropic contributions and volunteering on behalf of Israel during the Second Lebanon War in 2006.
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Waxman, C.I. Beyond Distancing: Jewish Identity, Identification, and America’s Young Jews. Cont Jewry 30, 227–232 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12397-010-9048-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12397-010-9048-1