Jewish American Heritage Month: Defending the promise of the American dream

As we celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month, and as our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, I find myself reflecting on the extraordinary promise America has held for the Jewish people, and the growing threats that seek to undermine it.

The American dream has always been, at its core, a promise of equality — that no matter who you are, where you come from, or how you worship, you can build a life of dignity and purpose in this country. For generations of Jewish Americans, that promise has been transformative. We fled pogroms and persecution, survived the Holocaust, and built thriving communities across this great nation. We have practiced our faith freely, contributed to every facet of American life, from science and medicine to the arts, business, law and public service, and participated fully in the democratic process that makes this country exceptional.

That dream is alive today. On May 15, representing StandWithUs, I accepted a proclamation for Jewish American Heritage Month from the office of Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor. We have strong support in Congress, including from our own Pennsylvania Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick, who often work together to combat antisemitism, and support Israel and the federal government. Law enforcement stands guard outside our institutions. We have the freedom of speech and press to express our views. And we have the ability and the right to shape the future of American politics by actively participating in the political process, just as every American is entitled to do.

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Yet as I write these words, I cannot ignore that this dream is under siege.

Recent primary elections across the country serve as a litmus test for the tolerance of institutionalized antisemitism in American politics.

On May 19, in Kentucky, we witnessed the rare primary victory by Ed Gallrein, who was endorsed by AIPAC, over an incumbent, Thomas Massie, a sitting representative who frequently invoked antisemitic tropes, was openly hostile to Israel, voted against aid to Israel, suggested that AIPAC register as a foreign agent and voted against a bipartisan bill condemning the rise of antisemitism. Massie’s concession speech opened with such hostility: “I would’ve come out sooner, but I had to call my opponent and concede, but it took a while to find Ed Gallrein in Tel Aviv.”

In Texas, Democratic House candidate Maureen Galindo made statements so vile they bear repeating only so we understand the depth of the hatred we are facing: in a since-deleted Instagram post, she proposed converting an ICE detention center into an internment camp for “American Zionists” and a “castration processing center for pedophiles, which will probably be most of the Zionists.” These comments were widely condemned by prominent Democrats and Republicans alike. Notably, two Jewish Democrat Representatives, Jared Moskowitz of Florida, and Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, unequivocally stated that they would move to immediately expel her from Congress if she were to win in November and would continue the effort until she is removed. She narrowly won her primary and then faced a run-off on May 26, where she lost to Johnny Garcia but still garnered 40% of the vote.

In Pennsylvania, progressive state representative and openly anti-Israel candidate Chris Rabb, who made opposition to Israel and the pro-Israel community a focal point of his campaign, won his primary on Tuesday, May 19. Rabb shared a post claiming that the tragic terror attack on Jews at a Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach, Australia was a false flag by “Zionists.” He has since disavowed that post and claimed that a former staffer shared it, but his past rhetoric and actions nonetheless remain extremely concerning. He supports a complete embargo on arms sales to Israel and said he would co-sponsor a resolution to “recognize the Nakba and reaffirm Palestinian refugees’ right to return.” His likely victory means that two of the largest districts in Pennsylvania will now be represented by figures who regularly amplify antisemitic tropes and seek to punish Israel for defending itself against existential threats.

In my role at StandWithUs, I work with families across the region whose children have been victims of antisemitic incidents, including in classrooms where TikTok has become a primary source of information. At the same time, we are witnessing extremists from groups like the Democratic Socialists of America pressure local businesses into not carrying Israeli products and discriminating against Israeli suppliers.

These are not fringe developments. They are warning signs.

What we are witnessing is the “horseshoe theory” in full effect: Extremists on both the far left and far right finding common ground in their hatred of Jews. Whether it is white supremacists marching with tiki torches or progressive activists calling Zionists “Nazis,” the antisemitic tropes are strikingly similar: accusations of dual loyalty, claims of shadowy control, conspiracy theories about Jewish power, and the demonization of the world’s only Jewish state.

Institutional antisemitism is becoming far too common in communities around the world. Global attacks against Jews are at record levels. Much of this is fueled by misinformation and demonization of Israel, a vibrant democracy and beacon of innovation that is forced to fight a horrific war against genocidal terrorists backed by Iran’s regime. While open criticism and debate about policies and military actions is legitimate and necessary in democratic societies, that is entirely different from the extremism and hate we are witnessing.

Even our own community is fractured, with disagreements on the best path forward to support Israel and combat the rising tide of antisemitism and anti-Zionism.

And yet, we are also living through miraculous times.

Israel stands strong, capable of defending itself, with a majority-Jewish army protecting its people against enemies on all sides. A startup nation continues to thrive and innovate under the most difficult circumstances. The Abraham Accords have opened doors to peace that many considered impossible. And here in America, Jewish life flourishes in ways our grandparents and great-grandparents could scarcely have imagined.

This Jewish American Heritage Month, I commend my many friends and neighbors who have chosen to pick up the mantle of American democracy, including those who have run for office, knocked on doors and spoken directly with candidates about the issues most pressing to the mainstream Jewish community. That is the American dream in action. That is what this country was built for.

I also call on every American — Jewish and non-Jewish alike — to recognize that antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem. It is an American problem. History has shown us, time and again, that hatred that begins with the Jews never ends with the Jews. When antisemitism is tolerated in our political institutions, it corrodes the very foundations of democracy that protects us all.

As we celebrate 250 years of this American experiment, we must ask ourselves: What kind of country do we want for the next 250 years?

I hope and pray that common sense prevails. That extremists are pushed to the fringes of their respective parties. That sound policy takes precedence over partisan politics. And that the American dream remains alive and well, both for Jewish Americans and for all people who believe in the tremendous privilege, rights and freedoms of being an American.

Don’t be silent. Educate yourself and others. Stand up against hatred of Jews in all its forms. Participate in the democratic process. And if you witness antisemitism, report it and speak out.

The American dream has survived 250 years because ordinary people have fought for it.

This Jewish American Heritage Month, let us honor that legacy, not just by remembering how far we’ve come, but by committing to protect the promise for generations yet to come. PJC

Julie Paris is the Mid-Atlantic regional director of StandWithUs.