The latest statistics point to a decline in the overall proportion of North American Jews who belong to or attend synagogues—a pattern especially pronounced if one excludes the Orthodox. Moreover, writes Martin Lockshin, the evidence suggests that various efforts to make synagogues more attractive and dynamic are doing little to stem the tide. These efforts include everything from incorporating musical instruments and lively tunes into services, to welcoming homosexuals and performing intermarriages, to allowing non-Jews to join congregations. At the same time, Reform and Conservative rabbis, and some Orthodox ones, have put ever-greater emphasis on progressive politics, under the rubric of tikkun olam. Lockshin argues that not only have such attempts to revitalize Judaism failed, but they may even be counterproductive:

Rabbis often avoid telling their congregants that Judaism demands anything specifically Jewish of them. . . . In many synagogues, one specific political ideology reigns, and a congregant who does not share that ideology feels uncomfortable. When synagogues do mention Jews’ “obligations,” often they are to causes that are not specifically Jewish. . . . Many rabbis report adjusting what they preach about. Some hesitate to talk about God. Twenty percent of rabbis fear “some kind of sanction or retribution from their congregants for voicing their honest opinions about Israel.”

In a culture that values autonomy, synagogues often promote Judaism as a way to reach personal fulfilment and add meaning to life. . . . It’s hard to be optimistic about the current approach of synagogues as a long-term strategy. Jews whose Judaism consists primarily of advocating for gay rights and fighting against gun violence and human trafficking are likely to discover that these causes can be more effectively promoted outside the synagogue. Even Jews who go to a synagogue because they like the music or meditation it offers are likely to discover that moving music, even spiritual music, may be more easily found outside of synagogues.

What synagogues have to offer that cannot be found anywhere else is instruction and exhortation on living a Jewish life. When they emphasize core Jewish values, they create a sense of solidarity, community, and even exclusivity that cannot be rivaled. When they discuss Jewish texts and teachings, they get people to consider their own values and behavior and maybe even try to improve their lives. Some of that still goes on in every synagogue, but perhaps it’s time to make it more front and center.

For some time, opponents of U.S support for Israel have been urging the White House to end the war in Gaza, or simply calling for a ceasefire. Douglas Feith and Lewis Libby consider what such a result would actually entail:

Ending the war immediately would allow Hamas to survive and retain military and governing power. Leaving it in the area containing the Sinai-Gaza smuggling routes would ensure that Hamas can rearm. This is why Hamas leaders now plead for a ceasefire. A ceasefire will provide some relief for Gazans today, but a prolonged ceasefire will preserve Hamas’s bloody oppression of Gaza and make future wars with Israel inevitable.

For most Gazans, even when there is no hot war, Hamas’s dictatorship is a nightmarish tyranny. Hamas rule features the torture and murder of regime opponents, official corruption, extremist indoctrination of children, and misery for the population in general. Hamas diverts foreign aid and other resources from proper uses; instead of improving life for the mass of the people, it uses the funds to fight against Palestinians and Israelis.

Moreover, a Hamas-affiliated website warned Gazans last month against cooperating with Israel in securing and delivering the truckloads of aid flowing into the Strip. It promised to deal with those who do with “an iron fist.” In other words, if Hamas remains in power, it will begin torturing, imprisoning, or murdering those it deems collaborators the moment the war ends. Thereafter, Hamas will begin planning its next attack on Israel:

Hamas’s goals are to overshadow the Palestinian Authority, win control of the West Bank, and establish Hamas leadership over the Palestinian revolution. Hamas’s ultimate aim is to spark a regional war to obliterate Israel and, as Hamas leaders steadfastly maintain, fulfill a Quranic vision of killing all Jews.

Hamas planned for corpses of Palestinian babies and mothers to serve as the mainspring of its October 7 war plan. Hamas calculated it could survive a war against a superior Israeli force and energize enemies of Israel around the world. The key to both aims was arranging for grievous Palestinian civilian losses. . . . That element of Hamas’s war plan is working impressively.