Feature

America’s Jews Israel’s Lost Tribe?

Despite the drift, the disagreements, and the struggle taking place in both the American and the Israeli communities to forge an identity for the next century, no one actually believes we’re witnessing a divorce. Rather, there is a sense that this is more like a good family fight, in which roles may get redefined and there may be a period of estrangement but where in the end the relationship will remain intact.

What’s happening between Americans and Israelis is in many ways analogous to what’s happening within the American Jewish community. Both centrifugal and centripetal forces are at work. “The community is actually dizzy right now,” says Leonard Fein. “Though a lot of people are dropping out, the people who are hanging in are incredibly energetic. And as far as Israel is concerned, there continues to be an empathetic and a sympathetic relationship even as there is, these days, lots of frustration and irritation.”

There is also an intense effort to ensure that links between the two communities will continue. Though Josephson and Adelson’s plan to have 50,000 teens visit Israel this summer didn’t work out, there is a movement under way, led by Michael Steinhardt and with interest expressed by people like Ronald Lauder, to create and fund a program that will provide access to a trip for every American Jewish teenager.

“Look,” says Yoffie. “Israel returned us to history. It restored our national sovereignty after 2,000 years. The Jewish people have power again, and I don’t dismiss that in any way. It’s an extraordinary blessing. What we’re now involved in is a debate on how that power is to be used. And the fact is that despite everything, this ought to be a time for celebration.”