The mystery of the fifth Jew

[Behind the Aegis]

WASHINGTON - Two Israelis living temporarily in the United States, who hold positions in Washington-area synagogues, encountered a similar problem in recent weeks. The Jewish Federation had asked the synagogues to place signs in their yards expressing support for Israel. The members of the congregations wrestled with whether to accede to the request, and the Israelis decided to step aside. Because of their position, they could have influenced the decision, but they believed it would be better not to be involved. As Israelis, they preferred to let the Americans decide. In both cases, by the way, after debate and misgivings (Is there a need for this right now? Will the congregation not be subject to harassment?), the synagogues decided in favor. And they are not the only ones.

This week, the American Jewish Committee (AJC) celebrates its centennial. Ahead of the event, it published a study it commissioned on the subject of American Jews between the ages of 18 to 39, who constitute almost one-third of the Jewish population of the U.S. One finding: The Holocaust is a very important part of the identity of young Jews; Israel far less so. This is an important finding, but not a surprising one, having been observed in many similar studies.

Sarah Jessica Parker, star of "Sex and the City," told Abigail Pogrebin, the author of "Stars of David" - a collection of interviews with famous Jewish Americans - that attacks on Israel because of its actions in the territories make her angrily defensive. She said that she was not an admirer of Ariel Sharon, but wondered what Israelis were supposed to do under the circumstances. If Parker were to be interviewed for one of the polls checking American Jewish support of Israel, she would probably be recorded as a supporter, along with four out of five American Jews.

And yet, the fifth Jew responds differently. This is admittedly a minority, but not a negligible one, and it is fairly stable. It is also mysterious: The fifth Jew is hard to find. Sometimes he or she is not even a member of an organization or institution. Here and there, this individual can be found, but his or her messages are somewhat evasive.


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[rockymountaindem]

1. Wait? Sarah Jessica Parker is Jewish.

Oy. That doesn't make me feel better.