American Jewish exceptionalism is ending, here’s what must come next – opinion

The author argues that American Jewish exceptionalism, a historical sense of stability and belonging unique among diasporas, is ending. This shift stems from events like Donald Trump's election, which introduced political unpredictability, and the surge of progressive antisemitism following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, particularly in institutions previously seen as symbols of Jewish integration. The author notes that the election of figures like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who legitimized anti-Israel speech, further solidified this feeling of lost trust. The article suggests that American Jews are now beginning to view the U.S. with the same insecurity historically experienced by Jews in other host countries. To navigate this new reality, the author proposes three actions:

• Embrace "political homelessness" by acting as independent political agents rather than seeking a permanent home in either political party.
• Invest significantly more in Jewish education, identity, and pride to foster an unconditional Jewish identity.
• Strengthen Zionism as a central pillar of Jewish identity, promoting engagement with Israel as the only collective Jewish project.