History moves at a glacial pace, but every so often it can seem more like a lightning bolt. So it has been with Israel and its relationship to its brethren communities throughout the Diaspora.
Jews around the world felt a visceral connection and had a quasi-proprietary attitude toward this fledgling enterprise. Israel was always seen as tenuous: one military defeat could be its last.
Thankfully, with the help of God and man, Israel was strengthened. It was able to deter its genocidal neighbors and, almost as impressively, develop a first-world market economy.
The upshot of all of its success was made manifest by the reaction to the nightmare of October 7. In short, Israel shocked not only its enemies, but also the rest of the world.
The Jewish state has become a force to be reckoned with, a respected and feared player on the world stage.
Simultaneously, while Israel was putting the pieces together that would lead it to its current strength, the Jews of the Diaspora were taking their post-World War II success as a never-changing given of social and political life.
When success turns inward
Jews have added greatly to Western vitality: Hollywood, academia, Wall Street, and Nobel Prizes provide unmistakable evidence of their success.
But as scholars such as Benedict Beckeld point out, societies often become victimized by their own success, often turning to self-hatred – oikophobia – as a way of displaying virtue or as an identification with others besides one’s own.
Behind the seemingly great ride in the West was a bifurcation: the haves were getting richer while the have-nots were struggling to keep up with what they had.
Jewish success was all too visible and became a major focal point of resentment.
As the post-WWII taboo against expressing antisemitism faded, many, especially among the young, engaged in good old-fashioned conspiracy theories, with Jews once again the ones in control.
Israel’s successes were filtered through social media as Goliath’s stomping of poor Davids in the neighborhood, and this only embittered more in the West against Israel.
Ironically though, it was local Jews who bore the burden and paid the price of Israeli success. Anti-Zionism quickly morphed into the antisemitism that we are in the midst of.
Astoundingly, those who had once nurtured now need to be protected. Those who rallied for Israel now need its protection.
If one word can capture the dynamic that now exists, it is “power.” Israel is perceived, not just in its neighborhood but worldwide, to have power.
It is not only military power but also the power that comes from having what others want. Whether it is hi-tech, cyber, agri, eco, and/or biotech, Israel has become a destination for many hypocritical countries eager to buy from the country they gleefully condemn.
Contrarily, Jews in the West are being marginalized.
Jewish representation in top universities has plummeted, as it has in many corporate ranks. The perceived difference in power and influence between Israel and Jews in the Diaspora is becoming glaring.
What, therefore, can we expect? How will the role reversal play out? We have already seen Israeli rescue squads stand in the forefront of international disasters. But this is different.
Now we are looking to see how Israel can help Diaspora Jews maintain their security and dignity. Of course there is aliyah, and many Diaspora Jews can reasonably be expected to come to Israel.
But what about those who stay? How can Israel help them? Again, I think power is part of the equation. Israel has trained police forces in America and other countries.
They can do the same with local Jews. Whether it is civilian patrols, krav maga, or other forms of individual and collective security, Israel can be of assistance.
The concept of the shliach, the representative or ambassador, can be expanded to include community organizing besides religious and spiritual education.
Just as Diaspora Jews did for decades, Israel – its government and its leading lights – can seek to influence and lobby for the needs and interests of Diaspora Jewish communities with their host governments.
Ironically, the more Israel seeks to assist Diaspora communities, the more I believe it will cement its own standing as a power in the world.
Israel will not be draining itself; on the contrary, it will be bulking itself up by more actively assisting Diaspora communities.
While we can debate and disagree as to why and how we got to where we are, it would be a mistake to deny that Western Jews are increasingly threatened, and it would be ungracious and unworthy of Israel not to try to help them.
We are one people. Let us rise and help our brethren as we can.
The writer is the Chairman of the Board of Im Tirtzu and a Director of the Israel Independence Fund.