Is it possible?

Last edited Sat Jun 17, 2017, 04:53 PM - Edit history (1)

"As ardent support for Israel came to dominate American Jewish public life and politics, growing numbers of American Jews effectively worshipped Israel and abandoned Judaism."

He's too young to have lived in that era so he must be relying on others opinions. I was a young boy at the time and my family was very involved in the phx jewish community. Because of the small size there were a lot of interactions between the various denominations, I had reform, conservative and orthodox friends. Many religious events were shared between shuls like public candle lightings on Hanukkah. There was one kosher butcher. There was one kosher deli. During those years leading up to the yom kippur war and after, the jewish community was growing like crazy and many new phoenicians were unaffiliated for a time.

Israel has always been a key part of judaism, its our ancestral homeland and is featured prominantly in our litergy. Not once did I ever hear someone complaining that israelism is replacing judaism, in fact waxman is the first person I have read that suggests that. Moreover it wasnt until the post second intifada period where I encountered jews concerned about israeli tx of palestinians.

Waxman's assertion that israelism has replaced judaism in america is completely lacking in evidence, including my 50 + years of experience with the phx jewish community. If he is going to make a rather drastic claim like that, he should at least present some evidenceas well as his relationship with judaism.

often superimposed on Judaism. And any criticism of Zionism, (or Israeli State expansionism based on Zionism), is painted by some as anti-Semitism.

That support for the Israeli State is common to Democrats and Republicans is a matter of fact. It is rare to encounter a US politician who does not speak of her/his unquestioned support for Israel. As to American Jews abandoning Judaism and worshiping Israel, that is the author's opinion.