Nadene Goldfoot
The Democratic Party has maintained a strong, historic alliance with the American Jewish community beginning in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, solidifying under Governor Al Smith's 1928 presidential run, and becoming a core pillar of the party during Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal coalition in the 1930s.
Historical Timeline of the Alliance
- Late 19th to Early 20th Centuries: Jewish immigrants arriving in U.S. urban centers (like New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia) found local Democratic political machines welcoming and responsive to working-class and immigrant needs.
- Polling Trends: While a majority of U.S. Jews still lean Democratic, recent polling and data show a decline in party identification—dropping from roughly 68% in 2019 to around 55%–70% depending on the specific demographic or religious subgroup (with Orthodox Jews leaning heavily Republican).
- Internal Debate: Jewish Democratic clubs and community leaders emphasize that the party remains a primary political home, even as debates continue over Zionism, inclusion, and safety within progressive circles. The contemporary internal debate surrounding Jewish Americans and the Democratic Party centers on a growing tension between deeply rooted domestic alignment and rising anxiety over foreign policy and campus/political antisemitism.
- 1928–1936 (The New Deal): The alliance solidified under New York Governor Al Smith in 1928 and became deeply entrenched during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal in the 1930s, driven by economic relief and shared liberal values.
- For most of the time since 1936, roughly 70% to 75% of American Jews have consistently voted for Democratic presidential candidates according to: the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Jews_in_politics
- "In United States politics, the trends of Jews have changed political positions multiple times. Many early American German-Jewish immigrants to the United States tended to be politically conservative, but the wave of Eastern European Jews, starting in the early 1880s, were generally more liberal or left-wing, and eventually became the political majority. Many of the latter moved to America having had experience in the socialist, anarchist, and communist movements as well as the Labor Bund emanating from Eastern Europe."
- Mid-to-Late 20th Century: The party maintained strong ties through milestones like President Harry Truman's 1948 recognition of Israel, Jewish involvement in the Civil Rights Movement alongside Democrats in the 1960s, and Bill Clinton hosting the Oslo Accords in 1993.
- Approximately 70% of American Jews have historically voted for and identified with the Democratic Party, grounded in values like civil rights, reproductive freedom, economic fairness, and the separation of church and state. However, this relationship faces a growing political reckoning and shifting trends.
- 1960s: Jewish activists and leaders played prominent roles alongside Democrats in the Civil Rights Movement.
- For decades, roughly 70% to 75% of American Jewish voters have consistently supported Democratic candidates.
- In recent years—particularly following political shifts, debates over Israel policy, and rising concerns regarding antisemitism—some Jewish voters and organizations have expressed growing strain or division in their relationship with the party, while a majority still continue to lean or vote Democratic.
- The Squad: is an informal group of progressive and left-wing Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives made up of : Founding Members: lhan Omar (MN-05); Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14); Ayanna Pressley (MA-07); Rashida Tlaib (MI-13 / MI-12); women of Muslim religion who had done everything they can to be against Israel. Origins: The group first formed after the 2018 midterm elections, initially consisting of four freshman progressive women of color. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez coined the name "The Squad" in an Instagram post shortly after the election, Platform: They advocate for progressive policies such as Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, affordable housing, and criminal justice reform, and often operate independently or in tension with mainstream Democratic party leadership, and have influenced 3 others to join; Greg Casar (TX-35); Summer Lee (PA-12); Delia Ramirez (IL-03)
- Core Values: Many Jewish Democrats view progressive principles—such as social justice (Tikkun Olam), civil rights, and helping the vulnerable—as a direct extension of their religious and cultural traditions.
- Secular Constitution: Most Jewish voters strongly favor a secular state and oppose the blending of religion and government often associated with the American political right. Joseph Isadore Lieberman (Feb.24, 1942-March 27, 2024 ) died at 82, was an American politician and lawyer who served as a United States senator from Connecticut from 1989 to 2013. Originally a member of the Democratic Party, he was the party's vice presidential nominee in the 2000 presidential election. During his final term in office, he was officially listed as an Independent Democrat and caucused with and chaired committees for the Democratic Party.
- Notable Milestones: In 2000, Senator Joe Lieberman became the first Jewish candidate on a major U.S. presidential ticket as the Democratic nominee for vice president.
- Current Tensions: In recent years—particularly following political polarization, shifting debates over U.S. policy toward Israel, and concerns among some voters regarding antisemitism within progressive or left-leaning circles—a portion of Jewish Americans (including some Orthodox Jews and voters in regions like New York) have expressed growing alienation or increased support for the Republican Party.
- Israel and Antisemitism Concerns: Some Jewish voters and leaders express deep concern over rising antisemitism, rhetoric concerning Israel, and the influence of progressive or socialist factions within or adjacent to the party.
It must be remembered that Israel is basically made up of Orthodox Jews while the USA is made up of Reform Jews. There is this difference in how they see some matters.
Polling Trends: While a majority of U.S. Jews still lean Democratic, recent polling and data show a decline in party identification—dropping from roughly 68% in 2019 to around 55%–70% depending on the specific demographic or religious subgroup (with Orthodox Jews leaning heavily Republican).
remains a primary political home, even as debates continue over Zionism, inclusion, and safety within progressive circles, I notice that the program,
