Over the past two years, a significant segment of American Jews has mobilized around calls for a ceasefire in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, reflecting a growing shift within the Jewish community toward advocating for Palestinian rights and peace. At the forefront of this effort is Rabbis for Ceasefire, a group that has expanded to include 420 rabbis and cantors and become a prominent voice on the American Jewish left since the outbreak of hostilities following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
With a ceasefire now declared between Israel and Hamas, Rabbis for Ceasefire is not stepping back. Instead, the group is intensifying its commitment to promoting a future where Palestinians can live with dignity, political freedom, and security. Their upcoming online town hall meeting is designed not to reflect solely on past achievements but to strategize for sustained activism.
The release of the final 20 hostages held by Hamas earlier this month brought relief and celebration among Jews worldwide, coinciding with Simchat Torah, a joyous holiday marking the conclusion of the High Holy Days. Yet beneath this relief lies deep anxiety. Hamas has not returned the bodies of approximately 20 hostages who died in captivity, and Israel’s response includes tightening humanitarian aid restrictions in Gaza, a region devastated by prolonged conflict. These realities fuel concerns about the future of Palestinians trapped in a shattered Gaza Strip.
Rabbis for Ceasefire’s founder, Rabbi Alissa Wise, emphasizes that their work remains crucial. She frames their mission as twofold: leveraging the moral authority of rabbis to advocate for peace and ensuring the vitality of Judaism for future generations. This dual focus highlights the intersection of religious values and political activism that characterizes much of the American Jewish left’s approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The war in Gaza has exposed deep divisions within the American Jewish community. Recent polls reveal that half of American Jews oppose Israel’s military actions, with 61% believing Israel has committed war crimes and 39% seeing the conflict as genocidal. These numbers are even more pronounced among younger Jews aged 18 to 34, only 36% of whom feel emotionally connected to Israel, compared to 56% among all American Jews. This generational divide signals a shifting landscape in Jewish identity and political alignment.
This growing dissent has led to an increase in synagogues and prayer groups declaring themselves non-Zionist or anti-Zionist—about three dozen since 2023. The revival of the American Council for Judaism, a historically anti-Zionist organization, and the anticipated launch of the Jewish Diaspora Movement further institutionalize this trend. Rabbi Brant Rosen, leader of Tzedek Chicago, the nation’s first progressive anti-Zionist congregation, notes the dramatic rise in Jewish communities distancing themselves from Zionism.
Rosen predicts that pro-Palestinian activism among American Jews will continue to gain momentum, with demonstrations such as the No Kings protests expected to feature Palestinian flags prominently. He also highlights the intersectionality of these movements, linking opposition to Israel’s policies with resistance to domestic issues like immigration crackdowns and the militarization of federal agents in U.S. cities. This broader coalition reflects an evolving understanding of justice that transcends national borders.
Jewish Voice for Peace, with a membership exceeding 700,000, remains a central force calling for accountability, including international legal action against Israel, a U.S. arms embargo, and boycotts. Its executive director, Stefanie Fox, asserts that global awareness of Israel’s abuses has grown, creating fertile ground for challenging impunity.
Meanwhile, younger Jews increasingly seek expressions of Judaism that move beyond nationalist frameworks. Rabbi Andrue Kahn of the American Council for Judaism observes a rising demand for progressive Judaism rooted in universal ethical principles rather than Zionist ideology. The reconstituted ACJ now offers educational programs aimed at fostering this inclusive vision.
A recent letter signed by nearly 200 synagogue-affiliated Jews and families encapsulates this evolving mindset. It calls for synagogues to be inclusive spaces where Jewish particularism coexists with ethical empathy, and participation transcends political divisions. This reflects a desire to reclaim Jewish identity in ways that honor both Israeli and Palestinian lives equally, grounded in theological and moral conviction.
The activism of Rabbis for Ceasefire and allied groups represents a broader transformation within American Jewry—a move toward embracing complexity, acknowledging historical grievances, and advocating for peace that respects the humanity of all involved. As this movement grows, it challenges traditional narratives and calls for a reimagining of Jewish solidarity that includes Palestinian rights as integral to Jewish values.
In sum, the ceasefire marks not an end but a beginning for many American Jews committed to justice, peace, and the safeguarding of Judaism’s ethical legacy. Their sustained efforts will likely shape the discourse on Israel and Palestine for years to come, reflecting a community grappling with its identity and responsibilities in a changing world.
