Identifying with Israel had more to do with the building of the American Jewish community rather than with actually participating in the building of Israel. The UJA formula of the united campaign in which money is raised in the name of Israel but more than half of it stays in the US for local needs exemplifies this position. In other words, continuation of this classic approach is bound to further distance American Jews from Israel rather than bring them closer. This is exactly where radical change is required. American Jewish education should develop a new strategy of Jewish identity education.
Jewish identity begins and ends with a very basic predicament.
A Jew, first and foremost, is someone who is part of the Jewish people . The Jewish people is divided along two basic demarcation lines. The other division among Jews is based on Geography. Jews are scattered around the world and together, they form a unique international network, the Jewish People. Jewish education in America should address these divisions.