What's Happening?
Jewish organizations worldwide have experienced a significant shift in their missions following the events of October 7, when Hamas attacked Israel. Initially, these organizations mobilized in crisis mode, raising over $900 million to support Israel-focused
emergency responses. However, this temporary pivot has extended beyond two years, leading to a sustained reorientation of priorities. Many organizations that previously focused on combating poverty, supporting mental health services, and fighting bigotry have redirected their efforts towards Israel-related work. This shift has resulted in a phenomenon known as 'mission drift,' where organizations move away from their original focus areas to align with new funding priorities. As a result, Israeli NGOs working on overseas humanitarian aid have reported significant funding losses, with 27 out of 70 such organizations losing support. This reallocation of resources has created a divide within the Jewish community, as younger generations seek to establish alternate institutions that align with their broader social justice values.
Why It's Important?
The shift in focus among Jewish organizations has broader implications for the Jewish community and its relationship with Israel. The reorientation towards Israel-focused work has created a perverse incentive structure, where organizations that pivot towards Israel thrive financially, while those maintaining their original missions face funding crises. This has led to a loss of trust, expertise, and credibility among organizations that were built to address specific issues like domestic poverty and civil rights. Additionally, the universalist strand of Jewish social teaching, which emphasizes 'tikkun olam' or repairing the world, risks being narrowed to focus solely on Israel. This transformation has prompted young Jews to build parallel institutional structures, as they perceive mainstream organizations as having drifted from their missions. The divide between traditional institutions and new, progressive organizations suggests a lasting fracture in the Jewish ecosystem, raising questions about the future of Jewish communal life and its relationship with Israel.
What's Next?
Jewish organizations must grapple with the long-term implications of their mission drift. They face the challenge of sustaining their new Israel-focused work while addressing the philosophical question of whether to be particularist or universalist in their missions. Organizations must decide whether to concentrate resources on Israel-related issues or maintain a broader civil-rights mandate. The answers to these questions will determine which organizations survive and what kind of Jewish community emerges. As younger generations continue to build alternate institutions, traditional organizations must consider whether they have drifted too far from their founding missions to remain relevant to the next generation. The ongoing war and rising antisemitism require continued attention and resources, but organizations must balance these urgent needs with their long-term strategic goals.
Beyond the Headlines
The mission drift among Jewish organizations highlights deeper ethical and cultural dimensions. The shift towards Israel-focused work reflects a broader trend of donor-driven priorities dictating organizational missions. This raises questions about the role of philanthropy in shaping organizational values and the potential loss of diverse perspectives within the Jewish community. The transformation also underscores the tension between particularist and universalist approaches to Jewish social teaching. As organizations navigate these challenges, they must consider the long-term impact on their credibility, expertise, and ability to address a wide range of social issues. The evolving landscape of Jewish philanthropy may lead to a redefinition of Jewish identity and communal life, as organizations and individuals grapple with the balance between supporting Israel and addressing broader social justice concerns.
