Become a Member
Opinion

American Jews: Now you see them, now you don’t

Numbers confirm a 'steep decline' in the Jewish presence in 'academia, Hollywood, Washington, even in New York City'

March 9, 2023 14:28
GettyImages-88204081
CAMBRIDGE, MA - JUNE 4: Harvard University students at the School of Education hold up books as their degree is announced during commencement ceremonies June 4, 2009 in Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636, this year marks the 358th year of graduation ceremonies at the university, considered the oldest in the nation. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images)
3 min read

Suddenly, everywhere you look, Jews are disappearing.” Few sentences are as likely to press the collective panic button as this one, which opened The Vanishing, a piece on Tablet magazine’s website this week.

Its author, Jacob Savage, describes how Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies are driving a “steep decline” in the Jewish presence in “academia, Hollywood, Washington, even in New York City”.

The numbers confirm it. Historically, about 20 per cent of federal judges have been Jewish. Among Joe Biden’s appointees, it’s 8 to 9 per cent.

Ten years ago, New York City had “five Jewish congressmen, a Jewish mayor, two Jewish borough presidents, and 14 Jewish City Council members”. Today, only two congressmen and a single borough president remain.