Our summer series on “What Is the Right?” has explored the many ideological camps that make up the Right today, from libertarians and traditionalists to fusionists and “FreeCons.” In this episode, we explore the intersection of the Jewish faith with conservative thought. Today, antisemitism is on the rise, Israel is at war, and U.S. Republicans are thinking through what an America-First foreign policy should look like. By stepping back and getting a bird’s-eye view of how the Jewish community interacts with conservative movement, the contributions of Jewish thought to Western Civilization, and the work Jewish nonprofits are doing, we hope to have a better sense of where to go from here. Two of the thinkers and leaders best positioned to speak to the Jewish conservative intersection are Tevi Troy and Jonathan Silver, who join Peter for this episode.
Tevi Troy is a senior fellow at the Ronald Reagan Institute, a Senior Scholar at Yeshiva University’s Straus Center, and a former Deputy Secretary of HHS and senior White House aide. Jonathan Silver is the Chief Programming Officer of Tikvah, the editor of Mosaic, and the Warren R. Stern Senior Fellow of Jewish Civilization.
Jews and Conservatives: Natural Allies
Tevi offers a compelling analysis of the political realignment that has seen the Republican Party become a pro-Israel stalwart. He highlights how Israel’s shift away from socialist policies in the 1970s and ’80s made the party a natural ally for conservatives. And in a time of increased antisemitism worldwide and American progressives turning a blind eye to the atrocities of Hamas, it’s possible we’ll see more Jews align with the American Right.
Jonathan complements Tevi’s comments by emphasizing the deep-rooted impact of Jewish ideas on Western civilization. He argues that Jewish contributions, especially the Hebrew Bible, have been integral to the West’s development. “The Hebraic contributions, intellectually and morally to the life of the West, are, from my estimation, enormous,” he asserts. For conservatives in the Traditionalist vein, a clear alliance with Judaism comes into view.
The Importance of Education
Both guests highlight the importance of education in preserving Jewish values and fostering cultural renewal. Jonathan discusses Tikvah’s educational programs, including its Emet Classical Academy, which aim to fill the void left by secular institutions by offering something “beautiful and true and ancient” to young American Jews. Emet is the first classical Jewish school in America and hopes to be a model for educational renewal in the Jewish community around the country. “There is a very deep longing I think one can see on the part of American, young American Jews, to be put before something beautiful and true and ancient,” Jonathan observes.
Tevi adds to this narrative by explaining the ongoing changes within the American Jewish community. He notes that “the Jewish community is shifting demographically,” which has implications for educational approaches and the transmission of Jewish heritage. These educational initiatives are critical in ensuring that Jewish traditions and values are sustained across generations, providing a counterbalance to the secular narratives prevalent in many educational settings.
If you’d like to learn more about Jewish conservatism, check out the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or by searching “Giving Ventures” wherever you listen to podcasts.
