October 2, 2008
Jewish political behavior over the past several decades has seen a decided move to the right. This more conservative trend has manifested itself most clearly in growing Jewish support for Republican candidates, especially at the presidential electoral level. While this trend is present throughout the entire Jewish community, it is especially apparent among Modern Orthodox Jews.
The relationship of American Jews with the Democratic Party is a long-standing one. As has been the case with all immigrant groups, initially for personal economic considerations, Jews affiliated with the Democrats because they viewed it as more concerned and sympathetic to their interests. Democrats were seen as the party that fought for educational opportunities, civil rights, health benefits, improved working conditions, affordable housing, and equal opportunity.
Observant Jews see the GOP as stronger on security issues.
In some respects this strong bond between Jews and Democrats reached its zenith during the Franklin Roosevelt era. Later, as Jews improved economically, in the postwar years, domestic considerations were seen as less pressing and protecting their economic gains more essential. As a consequence, there began a movement in some Jewish circles to affiliate with the Republican Party that was seen as more reflective of this new priority. Most Jews, however, maintained their Democratic loyalties.
Over the past 60 years and especially since 1967, America’s relationship with the State of Israel and its safety and survival became a more and more dominant consideration in the political alliances and voting behavior of many Jews. At the state and congressional level, Jews appeared to believe that a Democratically controlled Congress was still in their best interests, but the old approximately 80 percent Jewish support for Democrats at the presidential election level began to be tested.
The most dramatic manifestation of this shift occurred in the 1980 election, when Ronald Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter’s bid for reelection. Reagan received almost 40 percent of the Jewish vote, the largest percentage ever received by a Republican. This despite the fact that his opponent was given credit for having facilitated the Camp David Accords.
For Modern Orthodox Jews the movement to the right was influenced further by another reality. Since 1967 and especially over the past several decades, aliya to Israel from the United States has come mainly from the Modern Orthodox community. More and more American Orthodox Jews now had an additional attachment and loyalty to Israel: They had members of their immediate family living there. In addition, many of them also bought second homes in Israel. The safety and security of Israel now took on a personal dimension in addition to their long-standing religious and historical one.
For the Modern Orthodox in America, their political education accelerated dramatically. Beginning in the 1980s, many Orthodox Jews became more active and more involved in national politics, many of them for the first time. They donated money to candidates, and created or participated in pro-Israel political action committees. They sought out and supported candidates not only for the White House, but also for the House and Senate.
For many Modern Orthodox Jews, how they supported candidates was based almost entirely on a candidate’s positions and/or voting record on Israel-related issues: foreign aid, arms sales, trade policies, etc. Gradually this meant supporting more and more Republicans, who in the post-Vietnam era were seen as more hard-line and stronger on defense and foreign policy questions in general and Israel in particular.
(For the haredim, the fervently Orthodox communities, much of this was true as well; however, they had two other motivations which affected their votes. Community leaders in haredi strongholds like Brooklyn or Rockland County, NY, are careful to court both parties when it comes to ensuring government largesse in providing social services — a factor that historically favors Democrats. At the same time, they have been increasingly attracted to the GOP’s championing of “family values,” a worldview that often closely matches their own.)
(This can lead to what David Luchins, chair of the political science department at Touro College, recently called “sophisticated ticket-splitting” among the Orthodox; in fact, writes Luchins, the Orthodox communities’ focus on its own interests may belie the idea there is a “permanent shift in party loyalties.”)
What is especially curious about this election season is the extent to which this trend among Jews in general and especially among the Orthodox will continue. Will McCain achieve what some supporters are promising will be a Jewish vote to rival Reagan’s, or will economic and leadership issues overshadow his unquestioned personal commitment to Israel’s safety and security, even within the Orthodox community?
In this volatile election, general trends can swiftly be trumped by current events.
Dr. Gilbert N. Kahn is a professor of political science at Kean University in Union (e-mail gkahn@kean.edu).
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