CURA’s Third Annual Jewish Left Conference Explores Identity, Community, and Political Transformation

The day opened with a widely attended conversation between journalist Peter Beinart and historian Marjorie Feld on Beinart’s new book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza. Beinart challenged the American Jewish establishment’s response to the war, asking: “What is it that puts up this wall between them and their best selves?” Reflecting on the months after October 7, he added,

I kept wondering whether there was anything Israel could do that would lead establishment leaders to say ‘enough’—and again and again, it became clear there was no line.

Feld, moderating the discussion, described the current moment as unprecedented in its internal divisions: “I’ve studied American Jewish politics for decades, and the gap we’re seeing now is unlike anything before.”

Throughout the event, participants explored how American Jews are redefining community in ways that are not centered on Zionism. CURA Director Jeremy Menchik emphasized the importance of creating spaces where a wider spectrum of Jewish voices can be heard.

Our goal is to support educational spaces where we can talk about justice, equality, and the diversity of Jewish life—including viewpoints that legacy institutions have often excluded.

He described the Jewish left as a “heterogeneous coalition” made up of “Ashkenazi, Sephardi, non‑Zionist, anti‑Zionist, liberal Zionist, secular, Orthodox—everyone searching for a form of Jewish belonging aligned with universal human rights.”

Grassroots voices were central to the conference’s energy. Caroline Morganti of the Halachic Left said her organization was founded on a simple desire for dialogue: “We just wanted a space where the rabbi didn’t assume everyone agreed.” Joshua Dankoff of the Massachusetts Synagogue Network on Israel‑Palestine described the appetite for more open conversations at the congregational level: “People don’t want ‘Palestine’ to be a whispered word anymore.” Even those from Zionist groups reported productive engagement. A student from BU Students for Israel remarked, “You realize there’s much more common ground than you think.”

Workshops throughout the day focused on building sustainable institutions, forging alliances, and strengthening community ties. Arielle Angel, Editor‑in‑Chief of Jewish Currents, underscored the need for long‑term capacity: “We have to fight the instinct to avoid building power. If we want change, we need organizations that last.” Organizers like Dove Kent emphasized coalition‑building in the face of rising global authoritarianism: “We can’t afford transactional politics. Solidarity has to be our strategy.”

While Israel‑Palestine remained a key topic, speakers also noted a broader shift toward domestic issues, environmental justice, and spiritual renewal. Menchik observed, “The Jewish left today is less secular than in the past—ritual and spirituality are returning as core parts of political identity.” This renewed sense of community was palpable throughout the gathering.

More than just a conference, the event served as a vibrant reflection of a Jewish community in transition—one seeking belonging, justice, and hope in a changing world. As one participant put it: “For the first time, I don’t feel alone. There is a whole community imagining something new together.”