Will Chabad lead American Jewry? - opinion

American Jewry is grappling with an all-encompassing crisis that touches upon antisemitism, identity, tradition, and a sense of belonging. This multifaceted challenge has also led to the collapse of established communal structures, leaving a void in representation and a lack of a clear "address" for the community.

For decades, organizations like the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, and the American Jewish Committee (AJC) were seen as the primary representatives of American Jews. These groups delineated duties, with JFNA focusing on fundraising and social services, the Conference serving as a liaison with the U.S. government, and AJC handling global advocacy. However, the article contends that these once-powerful bodies have ceased to effectively represent anyone, their influence having imploded.

The election of Zohran Mamdani as the mayor of New York City is presented as a symbolic moment, representing the "final nail in the coffin" for Jewish political power in America. The author criticizes the JFNA and the Conference for pretending that nothing had changed, arguing that the election of an openly antisemitic figure in a heavily Jewish city starkly revealed the diminished standing of these organizations.

Amidst this perceived vacuum, the article explores whether Chabad, a Hasidic movement headquartered in Brooklyn, could step into the leadership role. While acknowledging Chabad's extensive infrastructure and its success in engaging secular Jews, the author questions whether this strict religious order, operating without a rebbe, can effectively lead a diverse American Jewish community. The piece suggests that Chabad's primary goal of bringing secular Jews back into the fold of Orthodox Judaism might present a challenge to its broader leadership potential.