Religion News Service: No love lost between Jews and Trump? Here’s why.

May 27, 2019

By Jeffrey Salkin

Several years ago, someone made the following snarky quip about Reform Judaism.

“It is the Democratic Party with holidays.”

It turns out that it is not just Reform Jews.

A new poll by the Jewish Electorate Institute  confirms  something that most of us had already suspected: Two-thirds of the Jewish electorate remains firmly aligned with the Democratic Party, and there has been no change in the percentage of Jewish voters identifying as Republicans since JEI’s October 2018 poll; it remains at 25 percent.

In other words, Republican efforts to proselytize among American Jews are not working.

This, despite the distorted perception that the Democratic Party has turned against Israel.

Puh-leeze: two anti-Israel legislators does not equal a national trend.

Here is how President Trump is doing among American Jews:

  • Only 23 percent voter support for President Trump.
  • 71 percent disapprove of President Trump’s overall job performance.
  • 70 percent view him unfavorably.
  • 67 percent would vote for a generic Democrat over President Trump.
  • 65 percent would vote for Democratic candidate Joe Biden over President Trump.

And, why?

  • Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of Jewish voters believe Jewish Americans are less secure than they were two years ago.
  • 71 percent disapprove of the way President Trump has handled antisemitism.
  • Nearly 60 percent believe that he bears at least some responsibility for the shootings at synagogues in Pittsburgh and Poway.

My quibble: I believe that it is somewhat of a stretch to blame President Trump for the shootings at American synagogues.

I actually do not believe that Trump is antisemitic (yes, his daughter and son-in-law and all that).

Trump is, at his core, a businessman and an entertainer.

Therefore, he must believe that you give the customers and the audience what they want.

Many of Trump’s “customers” and “audience” uncritically traffic in antisemitic and xenophobic tropes; therefore, he does not push back.

Why lose market share?

There are other reasons why Jews, in general, do not like Trump.

It’s about  Jewish   values that emerge from Jewish texts and/or Jewish history.

American Jews disapprove of:

  • Trump’s handling of “family separations at the Mexican border (78 percent)
  • Trump’s handling of DACA recipients (74 percent)
  • Trump’s position on guns (74 percent)
  • Building of the border wall (71 percent)
  • Banning immigration from certain Muslim-majority countries (66 percent)

As Jennifer Rubin wrote in the Washington Post:

As a religious minority, perpetual immigrants in history due to widespread persecution, who deeply value civil liberties and the rule of law, American Jews could barely imagine a worse president than Trump. He offends their core values and cultivates an atmosphere that endangers them.

I have many friends, relatives, congregants, and readers who support President Trump.

I respect our differences. We might disagree, but I refuse to vilify and dehumanize you.

But, wait a moment.

What about Trump’s support for Israel?

Again, Ms. Rubin:

Like most Americans, they don’t rank foreign policy at or near the top of their concerns.

In fact, for Jews, Israel ranks  dead last  [her emphasis, not mine — JKS] in their list of concerns.

How did it happen that American Jews would list Israel at the bottom of their list of political concerns?

It might be because of changes in American Judaism, and among American Jews.

Simply put: as American non-Orthodox Judaism weakens, so does emotional connection to Israel.

And, as the Pew Study has demonstrated, the less religiously observant you are, the less you will care about Israel.

Or, it could be that American Jews believe in Israel’s military and economic strength. Israel can take care of herself very well.

Or, it could be because the nature of Trump’s support for Israel strikes many Jews as kind of meh.

“He moved the Embassy to Jerusalem!” For many American Jews, and more Israelis than you might have thought, this is a meh. They see it as a symbolic move that makes little difference, except to ultra-Orthodox Jews and evangelicals.

(Let me tell you what I do like about Trump’s support for Israel. I publicly thanked him for affirming that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.)

Likewise, the as-yet-unknown peace plan. If this administration can help pull that off, as we say in Hebrew: kol ha-kavod. Nice work. Maybe. Potentially. Stay tuned.

I think that Israel’s bottom place in American Jewish  political  concerns  (political — not emotional) is a far more positive development than you might have thought.

It is not about how American Jews feel about Israel.

It is about how American Jews feel about America.

I believe that Israel’s bottom rung placement actually bears witness to American Jews’ primary concern for this country.

It is not that the threat of dual loyalty charges concern us.

It is simply this: In the political equation, American Jewish concerns for America — its character, its democratic values, its moral complexion — “trumps” their concerns for Israel.

American Jews sense that we are living through one of this country’s greatest existential crises.

As citizens of this country, that is our primary political concern.

  • We have l ittle political influence  over Israel’s relationship with the Palestinians.
  • We have  massive political influence  over America’s relationship with women’s bodies, immigrants, guns, health care.

I do not worry about Israel. Israel can take care of itself.

I worry about America.

Since I write these words on Memorial Day, I refuse to say kaddish for the ideals and ideas that made this country great.

Newsweek: Political Smoke Alarm... Jewish Voter Identification Becoming More Complicated

October 1, 2026
The latest Jewish Electorate Institute survey gives Democrats a commanding 71 percent to 23 percent advantage among Jewish voters on the generic congressional ballot, virtually unchanged from its March poll. Sixty-nine percent identify as Democrats, while 24 percent identify as Republicans.  The same poll contains a less comfortable set of numbers, though: 57 percent of Jewish voters overall say antisemitism is increasing within the Democratic Party, while 35 percent of Jewish Democrats say the rise of anti-Israel Democratic candidates has made it harder for them personally to identify as Democrats. The votes may still be staying Democratic, but for some Jewish voters, identification with the party is becoming more complicated.

NEW POLL: What’s on the minds of Jewish Americans today?

September 25, 2026
Our latest JEI poll shows American Jews are still overwhelmingly pro-Israel but also very critical of Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu. A majority are concerned that Netanyahu’s actions have increased antisemitic and anti-Israel sentiment. While this is more prevalent among Democrats, even a third of GOP Jews are greatly concerned. This poll also shows the divisions on some recent hot button issues. For instance, most Democrats support cutting aid to Israel, while majorities of independents and Republicans are opposed. There is also a division on the recent pro-Israel action in primary elections – with over a third of Jews feeling it has made things worse, while an increasing plurality feel it is more important than ever. Jews Are Pro-Israel But Very Critical Of Netanyahu, Though Not Focused On The Upcoming Israeli Election An overwhelming 86% of American Jews identify themselves as Pro-Israel, including 65% saying they are pro-Israel but critical of some or many of Israeli government policies. This is barely changed from the March JEI poll which showed 86% pro-Israel and 63% critical. Nearly three quarters (71%) see Israel favorably compared to 25% unfavorably – barely changed from March (71%/24%). At the same time, 61% have an unfavorable view of Netanyahu, with 34% favorable. This is within a point of Netanyahu’s standing from the JEI post-election poll in November 2024 which showed 33% favorable, 61% unfavorable. While 80% of American Jews are following the November elections in the U.S., only 38% are following the October elections in Israel. They do, however, have a strong preference in the outcome with 60% wanting Netanyahu replaced, including 53% feeling strongly. Only 16% of American Jews want to see him reelected. A Majority Are Concerned Netanyahu Has Increased Anti-Semitic And Anti-Israel Feelings Nearly half of American Jews are concerned about antisemitic rhetoric in the Republican (48% a great deal of concern) and Democratic (44%) Parties. Even among partisans roughly three in ten are greatly concerned about antisemitic rhetoric within their own party, with 29% of Republicans saying that about the GOP and 34% of Democrats saying it about their party. A 56% majority of Jews have a great deal of concern that “Israel’s actions under Netanyahu have increased antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment in the U.S.” Two thirds (65%) of Democratic Jews feel this way, and nearly half (46%) of independents and a third (34%) of Republicans. Most Democrats Would Cut Aid To Israel, But Republicans & Independents Are Opposed A 52% majority of Jews support cutting or eliminating aid to Israel, with 17% supporting “eliminating all $3.3 billion in military aid that the U.S. provides Israel” and 36% preferring to cut but not eliminate aid. Four in ten (40%) would keep aid at current levels, with 8% not sure. There are stark differences on partisanship, with nearly two thirds of Democrats (63%) wanting to cut or eliminate aid, and a similar two thirds of Republicans (67%) and independents (65%) for keeping current levels. Four in ten (40%) Jews are concerned about Congressional support for eliminating aid for “defensive weapons like Iron Dome” (40%), only slightly higher than concern for eliminating “offensive weapons” (36%). A majority of Republicans are concerned about cuts to either offensive (54%) or defensive weapon (56%), while less than half of independents are concerned (44% defensive, 45% offensive) and only a third of Democrats (34% defensive, 29% offensive.) Still there is more of a cost for a Member of Congress voting to cut aid, than a benefit. Nearly half (47%) are less likely to support a Member voting to cut aid, including 36% of those who support cutting aid themselves. Only one in five (21%) are more likely to vote for a Member cutting aid. Even among those who support cuts, only 13% are more likely to support a Member voting that way. Views On AIPAC And The Recent Primary Battles Are Mixed, Even Among Democrats A majority (51%) of American Jews have heard at least something about pro-Israel activity in this year’s primary elections – up from 38% in March. However, higher awareness has not dramatically changed opinions. A narrow 39% plurality support the pro-Israel activity in the primaries, 35% oppose it, and 26% are unsure; very similar to March (37% support, 32% oppose, 31% not sure). Given a choice between two statements, 45% believe “With increasing anti-Israel sentiment and threats to Israel, it is more important than ever for pro-Israel groups to play an active role against candidates who are not supportive enough of a strong US-Israel relationship”, while 37% believe that “These heavy-handed efforts by pro-Israel groups in primary elections make things worse by turning voters against a strong US-Israel relationship, and they should stop.” Large majorities of Republicans and independents believe it more important than ever for pro-Israel groups to get involved in the primaries. But while Democrats lean the other way, they are more torn – with 46% saying the pro-Israel activity is making things worse, but the majority of Democrats either think it’s more important than ever (34%) or are not sure (20%). Indeed, views of AIPAC, the biggest pro-Israel spender in primaries, are mixed, with 42% favorable, 35% unfavorable, and 24% not sure. AIPAC is seen favorably by most independents (55% favorable, 15% unfavorable) and Republicans (71% favorable, 12% unfavorable). Jewish Democrats are 44% unfavorable, with a majority either favorable (31%) or not sure (25%). Moreover, Democratic Jews do not fit easily into one box on AIPAC. Nearly half (45%) agree with the statement “AIPAC is being unfairly singled out for doing just what other advocacy groups do”. Yet 30% agree they cannot vote for a candidate who accepts money from AIPAC, while 19% cannot support a candidate who refuses money from AIPAC. While American Jews are generally together on being pro-Israel even if critical of the government, there are divisions on what should be done in the U.S. on aid and elections.

JEI Advocates for Right to Worship

September 25, 2026
September 23, 2026 The Honorable Mike Johnson Speaker of the United States House of Representatives United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Mr. Speaker: I submit this statement for the record in support of H.R. 10052 and S. 5289, the Right to Worship Act. I am grateful to Representatives Brad Knott, Tom Suozzi, Michael Lawler, and Josh Gottheimer and Senators Ted Cruz and Elissa Slotkin for their bipartisan leadership in introducing this important legislation to protect the fundamental right of Americans to worship without fear, intimidation, or deliberate disruption. For Jewish Americans, this protection is particularly urgent. Synagogues should be places where Jewish families can gather in prayer, celebrate Shabbat and holidays, educate their children, and sustain their communities. No one should have to approach a synagogue wondering whether protesters will block the entrance, intimidate worshippers, prevent families from entering, or deliberately disrupt religious services. The Right to Worship Act recognizes a basic principle of religious liberty: Americans must be able to enter their houses of worship and participate in religious services without being subjected to conduct that meaningfully interferes with their ability to worship. The legislation establishes a narrowly tailored 100-foot protection zone around entrances to houses of worship during scheduled religious services and prohibits knowing conduct that disrupts services or hinders, deters, threatens, or intimidates people seeking to attend. This protection is not about preventing peaceful expression or legitimate public debate. The legislation specifically distinguishes protected expression from conduct that interferes with the ability of people to worship. That distinction is essential. Americans have a constitutional right to express their views, including views with which others strongly disagree. But that right should not be used as a justification for preventing another person from exercising the equally fundamental right to freely practice their religion. The need for this protection is especially clear for Jewish communities. In recent years, Jewish Americans have faced protests, intimidation, threats, and security concerns at and around synagogues and other Jewish institutions. Jewish families should not have to choose between exercising their faith and avoiding confrontation at the doors of their houses of worship. The right to worship is a foundational American freedom. It belongs to Jews, Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, and Americans of every faith. Protecting houses of worship therefore is not a special accommodation for any one religious community. It is a protection of religious liberty itself. We also recognize the importance of maintaining the careful balance between religious freedom and the First Amendment's protection of speech and peaceful assembly. The Right to Worship Act addresses that balance by focusing on conduct that actually disrupts religious services or prevents or intimidates individuals from attending them, rather than on the viewpoint or content of someone's speech. We support continued careful consideration of the legislation to ensure that its protections remain clear, appropriately tailored, and consistent with constitutional rights. For Jewish Americans, the ability to walk through the doors of a synagogue and worship openly is not an abstract principle. It is an essential part of Jewish communal life and religious freedom. A Jewish family should be able to attend services on Shabbat or a holiday without being blocked, threatened, intimidated, or made to feel that entering their synagogue is itself an act of confrontation. Religious freedom cannot exist if people are technically free to worship but are effectively prevented from doing so by intimidation or deliberate disruption at the doors of their houses of worship. We strongly support the goals of the Right to Worship Act and urge Congress to advance this bipartisan legislation. Protecting the right of Americans to gather, pray, and practice their faith is a constitutional responsibility and a fundamental American value. The freedom to worship belongs to all of us. Congress should ensure that every American can exercise that freedom without fear. Sincerely,