IDENTITIES, PLURALISM, AND ISRAEL-DIASPORA RELATIONS: A PRAGMATIC PERSPECTIVE ON THE JEWISH PUBLIC SQUARE

Strengthening Jewish identity in Israel and the diaspora are different challenges, requiring dissimilar approaches. In the di aspora, the continued development of a category of sociologi cal Jews alongside halakhic Jews seems unavoidable. Increasing mixed marriages are the dominant factor at its base. Fostering a multitude of Jewish identities is most relevant in retaining as many Jews as possible for the Jewish people in the diaspora. This buffet approach, with a large menu of Jewish activities, is not only a matter of values but also a pragmatic one: in order to stand up to the enemies of the Jewish people, not only quality but also numbers count. In an individualistic society, it is the consolidated core which provides the individualists with the opportunity to be both indi vidualistic and ? when in psychological need ? to be able to belong. The average Israeli Jew will have much more influence on the future of the Jewish people than the average diaspora Jew. The attitude of the Orthodox, traditional and Zionist Jews in Is rael toward the diaspora will be much more determinant in Is rael's policies than that of indifferent or post-Zionist Israelis.