The voting habits of American Jews have been a topic of confusion for many, particularly given their seemingly misplaced diamond-like loyalty to the Democratic party. Questioning minds are curious as they notice these trends, despite it appearing rather contradictory to the community’s shared interests. Statistics underscore the situation: although President Trump enjoyed significantly improved voting numbers compared to previous Republican candidates, Kamala Harris and Joe Biden still attracted over half of this particular demographic’s vote.
Historically, almost three quarters of Jewish voters in America have thrown their support behind the Democratic candidate, a figure that continues to perplex many when reflecting on their interests. To clarify this perplexing scenario, it’s deemed necessary to understand two crucial yet contrasting trends within the diverse Jewish-American community.
The most religiously conservative segment of this community, the orthodox and ultra-orthodox Jews, is numerically smaller yet presents a robust voting bloc. This group, though not the majority, has repeatedly shown staunch support for Trump during the last three elections, with over 90% of its vote. The reasons behind this political preference lie firmly in value systems and public policies.
In the eyes of the conservative Jewish sect, Trump’s stance aligns closely with their beliefs. His unique blend of pro-Israeli and pro-America attitude, his championing of religious freedom, less governmental intervention, and an explicit pushback against anti-religious teachings sit well with this community. The orthodox Jewish people find the Republican party inherently more appealing, seemingly abhorring the perceived radical and onto-religious positions touted by the left-wing.
Taking a deeper dive, particularly the orthodox and ultra-orthodox Jewish members, are dedicated to the meticulous study of Torah and the diligent observation of God’s commandments. Sacred Sabbath practices, consumption of kosher food, and devoted prayers form the bedrock of their lives. Ideally, they seek a government that supports their ability to live as observant Jews or, at the very least, doesn’t interfere.
Contrastingly, non-orthodox branches such as the Reform and Conservative denominations have chosen alternative paths in their practice of Judaism. These changes include the allowance of driving on the Sabbath, a more relaxed approach to kosher food laws, and the ordination of women in the rabbinate. As observance of the Torah becomes a less central feature in these groups, we see other matters seamlessly emerging at the forefront.
A central notion in this revised approach is ‘Tikun olam’, a Talmudic concept implying the making of a more perfect world. Consequently, a substantial shift in the energy and focus of Reform and Conservative Judaism has been noticed, shifting from traditional daily prayers, Torah learning, and commandments, towards a more inclusive Judaism that emphasizes social issues.
This shift has widened the chasm between the orthodox and non-orthodox movements within American Judaism over the decades. Yes, there exist shared concepts such as holiday observances, but the actual practice between these distinct groups has shifted dramatically apart.
Navigating through time, prominent shifts within both the Democratic and Republican party are evident. As the Democrats started leaning into numerous social issues, they unknowingly distanced themselves from the rooted Orthodox Jews. However, the reformist and socially-driven Reform and Conservatives found these more modern renditions appealing.
A critical aspect affecting this dynamic is the Democratic party’s stance on Israel. There have been less than flattering moments, such as Barack Obama’s refusal to supply missiles to Israel during a heated war in Gaza, subsequently mirrored by Joe Biden’s stance on the supply of bombs and D9 tractors.
Tellingly, there are instances in which Israel had to rely on equipment dating back to the 1970s due to a Biden-declared embargo. Given these historical frictions and the rising wave of Hamas sympathizers in tandem with the Democratic party’s seemingly lukewarm support towards Israel, why would Trump not corral 90% of all Jewish votes?
It appears that many American Jews unknowingly harbor outdated caricatures of the Republican party and Donald Trump. They persist in viewing Republicans as an elitist party uninterested in the common people, obstinately ignoring the progressive evolution of this party. Missing from their viewpoint is the concerning reality that the Democratic party may no longer be as welcoming to Jews or defenders of Israel as they once believed.
Trump, by a significant margin, has proved to be a staunch ally of the Jewish people, far outstripping Kamala Harris, despite her having a Jewish spouse. Although the staunchly religious orthodox groups constitute a lesser segment of the American Jewish population, there is a noticeable trend indicating their steady growth.
The Orthodox families are expanding at a higher rate than their counterparts, with an increasing number of institutions being raised to cater to the growing community. If the current trend is anything to go by, in a period of no more than 25 years, over 80% of Jews are likely to find more affinity to a candidate who embodies pro-Israel and pro-religious freedom views.
The era of liberal Jews, the descendants of those who once fled European fascism, appears to be painted in the colors of twilight. Each election seems to be signalling the dusk of their longstanding support to the Democratic party.