More Good News

How about some more good news?

I want to share an important new study that is filled with some important news for the Jewish community. But before I do, I want to draw your attention to the famous parody song National Brotherhood Week by the satirist, musician, and world class mathematician, Tom Lehrer. Among its famous lyrics:

Oh, the Protestants hate the Catholics

And the Catholics hate the Protestants

The Hindus hate the Muslims

And everybody hates the Jews.

We know that America has made great strides forward since the civil rights era during which this song was written. The song itself was a challenge for Americans to take the ideas and values of National Brotherhood Week (which was and remains a real thing), and try to live it throughout the year to improve life for all in our great nation.

Yet the last several years have caused many Jews, over 80 percent of American Jews according to a recent survey, to wonder how our neighbors actually feel about us. According to statistics from both the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), as well as the FBI, antisemitic incidents are at record levels. They have increased yearly for the past several years. Irresponsible statements by both politicians and pundits have allowed radically anti-Jewish comments and Holocaust denial, as well as other ideas and concepts dangerous to Jews to enter the mainstream. Both Republican and Democratic leaders have spoken eloquently against antisemitism, and in support of Jews. Yet those same leaders have generally failed to effectively deal with antisemitic comments and statements from within their ranks. Sadly, the lion's share of bias crimes in America are directed towards Jews.

So it was with great interest that I read Americans Feel More Positive than Negative About Jews, Mainline Protestants and Catholics, a new report from the Pew Research Center that was released in March. Among its findings are:

Jews are the most favorably rated religious group in America, with 35% of respondents rating them very or somewhat favorable, and only 6% rating us very or somewhat unfavorable. To compare, Catholics weigh in at 34% vs 18%, Evangelical Christians at 28% vs 27%, and Mormons at 15% vs 25%. These statistics seem to hold fairly firm across age groups as well as political affiliation.

Overall, 67% of Americans view Jews positively. That is also first among all religious groups in America. 

The research also demonstrates that Jews also rate themselves most positively. Jewish respondents giving their fellow Jews an average rating of 91 on the 0-100 scale. The next highest group is American Catholics who come in at 83. Interestingly, Atheists only rate themselves an 82. Jews are favorites among Democrats and those who lean Democrat and are in a statistical dead heat with Catholics and Mainline Protestants for the top spot among Republicans.

It's a very interesting study, which I can only interpret as good news.

Jews are rightly concerned about a changing American society and its impact on our community. The murder of Jews at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, the daily vilification of Jews, Judaism and Israel on social media, the tolerance of violent attacks on Orthodox Jews in Brooklyn by New York City elected officials and police, and the police presence at our synagogue on Shabbat and holidays are but a few reminders that the position of Jews in America is different than it was even 5 years ago.

We are not crazy. The threats are real. As a Rabbi and Jewish communal leader, it pains me how much energy, time and money we must spend on security and self-defense, instead of Jewish education and efforts to further the mission of the JCCP/CBT.  I do not know of any other religious community who are similarly challenged. I don't see police cars on Sunday mornings in front of any but the largest churches - and the police presence that is there is mostly for traffic control. That's our reality.

Yet the recent survey from the Pew Research Center is also part of our reality, no less than the ugly parts. This recent survey reminds us that in these challenging times, we have friends and allies. The loudest and most extreme voices may receive all the attention, but there remains an appreciation of Judaism, and an admiration for Jews that cuts across all the various demographics in our nation. And in comparison with the members of other faiths, we are not only highly regarded, but held in the highest regard.

Tom Lehrer was wrong then, and he is wrong now. Especially in these challenging times, we must remember that not everyone hates the Jews. In fact, most Americans are fine with us.  That’s good news.