Whenever I hear people bashing liberalism, which is quite often in the Orthodox community, particularly in this institution, I experience an overwhelming sense of frustration and disappointment. For some reason, it has become increasingly taboo in our Modern Orthodox world to hold liberal values. I find that disconcerting.
It all boils down to two opposing narratives. For some reason, observant Jews tend to gravitate towards to the Republican narrative. Granted, some have legitimate reasoning. But many, especially young adults and teenagers, simply go along with what has become the “cool” side—mainly, the conservative side. It is this demographic that I don’t quite understand. Rather than learning and thinking about policies, they grab hold of oft-repeated talking points, prematurely concluding that Republican values are requisites for being an observant, pro-Israel Jew. These beliefs are simply unfounded.
For the most part, the debate is not about social issues. Observant Jews are not trying to team up with Catholics to fight abortion and homosexual marriage. And, honestly, I don’t think it is about foreign policy either. In the scheme of history, the American/Israeli relationship has not drastically changed with the changing US presidents. Obama’s policies towards Israel were essentially the same as Romney’s, thus removing the option of “voting for Israel,” since the results, for all intents and purposes, are going to be the same. Both planned to enforce ‘biting’ economic sanctions on Iran, and both believed and stated, in no uncertain terms, that the US would stand with Israel (see the third Presidential debate, in which both candidates comments regarding Israel were remarkably similar).
It is the discussion of economic policy that creates the largest schism between a more conservative and a more liberal point of view. I am not trying to debunk trickle-down economics, nor am I trying to convince you that increasing military spending is a bad idea. However, conflating the decision to stick to the political right with a dedication to Jewish values is what upsets me the most.
Why do we, as young Jewish adults, relate to language like “the 47%?” Many of us are fortunate enough to live comfortably—we do all attend a University that costs $45,000, financial aid aside. But what we often fail to truly grasp is that not everyone is as fortunate as we. For people trapped in the lower end of the socioeconomic spectrum, it is not nearly as simple to “work hard and succeed,” as many claim. Many such people will never be able to escape their poverty, no matter how hard they try. Does this mean we should not care about them, because they live in different neighborhoods and we don’t see them or relate to them? No. It is not our desire to make people dependent on the government or stifle their independence and freedom, but we should be able to recognize that not everyone can be “taught how to fish” so easily.
Obama’s project of bringing health care to every member of our society is one that clearly emphasizes a commitment to bettering the lives of those in dire need. Obama’s plan for small businesses allows for smaller investors to buy shares in a company. This allows companies to get on their feet without being dependent on massive infusions of funds from wealthy donors. He also seeks to expand the definition of small business so that the regulations that are necessary for big companies won’t take effect until a business grows to $50 million, unlike the $5 million limit now extant. His plan for small business owners trying to go public helps ease companies into the market. Obama’s Employee Free Choice Act empowers laborers to improve their benefits by working together and prevents employers from taking advantage of individuals in need of work.
We need to step out of the bubble in which we comfortably reside and start thinking beyond ourselves. It is quite difficult, granted. Empathy is an emotion that does not come easily for many, if not most. But it is a level towards which we should be striving.
Tzedakah and social justice are clearly Torah ideals and halakhic values. We preach and claim, externally, that we care about the plight of others. But I’m just not seeing it. I urge you, 18 to 21-year-old who has nothing to do with Medicare or Social Security, to reconsider your values. Recognize that we cannot always understand how it feels to be in someone else’s shoes.
It is my hope that we can begin to clarify our priorities, recognizing that, regardless of the political party to which we belong, we all clearly want America to succeed and prosper. In the end, it isn’t about politics. It’s about values. It’s about aspiring to something greater, more hopeful, and more just. Once we take the leap to realize that there is a misunderstood world beyond our bubble, we’re well on our way to improving that world.