This month we’ve seen continued tumult and discomfort in the Jewish communal space, as antisemitism is used as a pretext by the Trump Administration to punish the nation’s elite universities through funding cuts, departmental oversight, and through the extreme abduction of foreign students who have been vocal against Israel. We wanted some perspective, so we reached out to Steven Windmueller, Professor Emeritus of Communal Jewish Studies at Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles, and an expert who has been studying and writing about the Jewish community for decades. Here’s our interview.
Berman Archive: You have been a leader in Jewish communal work for decades. What is motivating your work right now?
Steven Windmueller: On the one hand I am motivated by the exciting new opportunities afforded American Jewry that are redefining Jewish life, (the many factors here include the rise of boutique Judaism, “privatized Judaism,” and the emergence of “national synagogues”). I am also deeply concerned about the long-term impact involving Diaspora-Israel relations (the generational wars and more). The sharp rise in antisemitism and anti-Zionism is particularly troubling. American Jewry is rapidly and significantly changing, and this will result in the need to reexamine everything from how we engage, organize, and lead a 21st Century American Jewish community! Jewish political behavior is also undergoing a major transition, as Jews struggle to identify and advance their interests amidst a divided society.
What are some recent data points or pieces of research that have informed your understanding of American Jewry?
Five research studies are informing my thinking:
1. The recently completed Cohen Center Jewish Population Studies of Jewish Communities.
2. The 2024 ADL Study on Anti-Semitism with its specific findings dealing with Generation Z.
3. The Foundation for Jewish Camping Study, pointing to the impact of Jewish camping on building Jewish identity.
4. New studies on Jewish students, including BBYO’s 2024 Study.
5. The recent release of books on the American Jewish future, among them: Tablets Shattered by Joshua Leifer, Awakenings: American Jewish Transformations in Identity, Leadership, and Belonging by Rabbi Joshua Stanton, and The New American Judaism: How Jews Practice Their Religion Today by Jack Wertheimer
What has most surprised you about American Jewish communal life in the post Oct 7 era, Biden era, and now Trump 2.0 era?
As my writings reflect, I am particularly focused on three core political trends:
“Jewish Political Homelessness”: While some Jews may have found their “safe” political space, many America’s Jews are in search of a political home that both advances support for Israel while also defending liberal Jewish values and interests at home.
The Growing Divide Between American Jewry and Israel: in part generational. The deep differences around Israel are having a profound impact on our community, even within families, as Jews differ over their support and connection with Israel.
The Trump Effect: How President Trump is employing his “fight against antisemitism” as a political tool in his war on liberal institutions. The danger of such a political play can lead to a devastating and challenging backlash against America’s Jews.
What moments in history should we be looking at to help us understand what’s happening now?
As a result of Jews by Choice, the rise of the Religious Nones, and the presence of alienated and awakening Jews, we will need to rethink our organizing strategies. Just as we moved from the Temple Period to the Rabbinic Age, we will be transitioning from a centralized communal system of legacy organizations into a period where we need to support and strengthen boutique and independent based models of community. We are creating multiple, diverse American Jewish communal models, requiring a different type of leadership orientation as well both for our professionals and lay leaders, going forward.
What do you think should be the top 3 priorities of American Jewish communal organizations over the next 3-4 years? Where should they put their resources?
1. Rethink the Organizing and Delivery Model of American Jewish Organizational Life: How do we best serve our community in this century?
2. Create a major investment in Jewish education and youth engagement, a Marshall Plan for Jewish Education
3. Move to rethink what types of Jewish leaders our community will require and proceed to implement ways to attract, prepare and place the next generation of leaders.
We’re an archive, so we have to ask, what’s a favorite archival item of yours that has informed your worldview and work?
Dan Elazar’s writings are particularly significant as Dan laid out a rich analysis on Jewish communal organizational development (both historically and more directly in the context of the American story, i.e. Community and Polity.)
