A community in pain can’t afford not to listen to its members
Jewish communities are facing a new rupture. Since October 7, families, synagogues, schools, and institutions are straining, under a growing divide between Zionist Jews and anti-Zionist Jews.
Following a national listening tour, For the Sake of Argument spoke directly with Jewish anti-Zionists — not to debate, but to understand:
Can listening lead to more listening?
Can dialogue lead to healing?
WHY THIS MATTERS NOW
The divide is here.
How we respond is up to us.
Silence around the Jewish community’s growing anti-Zionists is already being interpreted — on both sides — as provocation or betrayal. As institutions draw boundaries and families avoid the topic, mistrust deepens. This project offers another path: listening before labeling, understanding before deciding, and conversation before rupture becomes permanent.
BRING THE CONVERSATION TO YOUR COMMUNITY
Ignoring this divide won’t make it disappear
This research is not meant to stay on the page. It is designed to help leaders, educators, and communities engage one of the most urgent and painful questions facing Jewish life today: How do we remain a community when we profoundly disagree about Israel and Zionism?
We offer four programs to step into that work, translating the study into dialogue and learning without asking people to change their positions or lower their convictions.
Choose the format that fits your community:
Listening Across the Divide:
What Jewish Anti-Zionists Are Telling Us
Lecture + Q&A (60–90 minutes)
Over the past year, For the Sake of Argument conducted in-depth qualitative research with Jewish anti-Zionists across the United States. In this talk, we share key findings from our “Listening Tour,” including the journeys that led participants to anti-Zionist positions, the assumptions that were challenged, and the emotional realities often hidden behind public debates. Participants will gain insight into how anti-Zionist Jews understand Jewish belonging, community, and moral responsibility — and will have the opportunity to think about what this means for educators, communal leaders, and anyone working to navigate today’s divisive Jewish landscape.
When Israel Splits Us: Reconnecting Despite Our Differences
Facilitated Workshop (90 minutes)
Conversations about Israel and Zionism are straining many Jewish families and communities, leading to silence, resentment, and broken relationships. This workshop offers mindsets and techniques for staying connected across deep disagreement, and an opportunity to practice these skills.
Who is “In” and Who is “Out”? Exploring Models for Inclusion/Exclusion - Drawing Inspiration From Our Past to Address the Challenges of Today
Through grappling with Jewish and general texts, we will explore different ways of thinking and feeling about belonging and boundary setting. This session will provide you and/or your community with insights and new language for thinking about the place of Zionists and anti-Zionists in your community.
Ready to trade the talking points for tools that really engage?
Discover how our workshops and Lectures can work for you
