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

The notion of American exceptionalism, particularly its historical role in fostering a unique and secure Jewish identity, is facing an unprecedented challenge, according to the author. Growing up in Argentina, the author experienced a sense of temporality and insecurity regarding the Jewish experience, a stark contrast to the perceived permanence and confidence of Jewish life in the United States.

For decades, American Jews and their supporters believed in an unequivocal positive trajectory of integration. Even instances of discrimination were often viewed as anomalies, with the receding tide of antisemitism in the postwar era reinforcing the idea that America was a "home" in a way no other diaspora had ever been. This sense of security and belonging, where Jewish identity was voluntary, confident, and thoroughly American, was a cornerstone of the American Jewish experience.

However, this perception has fundamentally shifted. The author contends that American Jews have lost a crucial element in the last decade: the feeling of exceptionalism for both their country and their community. Events such as the election of Donald Trump in 2016, with his populist style and flirtations with racism, introduced a sense of unpredictability. While some Jews felt Trump was friendly to them and Israel, the subsequent weakening of institutions, even if not directly targeting Jews, was seen as a threat to their long-term safety.

The feeling of lost trust intensified dramatically after the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. Universities and cultural institutions, once symbols of Jewish integration, became perceived as hostile environments. The surge in what the author terms "progressive antisemitism" has left many Jews feeling politically and culturally isolated, mirroring the historical insecurity experienced by Jewish communities throughout their long exile. This shift signifies an end to American Jewish exceptionalism, necessitating a reevaluation of the future.

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The American Jew does not live in exile; he lives in a land he regards as his own, and it is within that land that he shapes a Jewish identity that is voluntary, confident, and thoroughly American.