Polarized

Polarized offers a multi-disciplinary examination of the major divides within the American Jewish community prior to, and in the wake of, the Israel-Hamas war and lays out a blueprint for how American Jewry can develop a much-needed, vocal centre capable of productive discourse despite areas of disagreement.

Not only has polarisation long been recognised as one of the most pressing problems facing the American Jewish community but, in fact, American Jews are among the most divided communities in the United States. This fracture has deepened dramatically in the wake of the October 7th terrorist attacks against Israel and the ensuing Israel-Hamas war. Drawing on insights from law, sociology, psychology, history, and Jewish tradition, Professor Roberta Kwall examines how these divisions developed, how they both reflect and differ from polarisation in our broader society, and, most importantly, how and why they pose an existential threat to American Jewish communal life.

In tracing the evolution of internal Jewish divides over religious practice, Israel, and antisemitism, Kwall makes clear that different groups of Jews, like all people, are shaped by distinct moral priorities, fears, and understandings of political issues. She shows how generation gaps and campus culture have intensified these conflicts.

Fortunately, beyond diagnosing the divisions that plague the American Jewish community, Kwall offers a path forward for rebuilding a strong American Jewish centre capable of sustaining disagreement without fragmentation. Guided by Jewish teachings on speech, disagreement, and moral responsibility, she proposes a consensus platform that can promote communal dialogue, institutional planning, and educational initiatives by prioritising respectful discourse over ideological victory.