Why Jews Should Not Be Liberals by Larry F. Sternberg, Pelican Press, 2006, 249 pages, $17.50.

Reviewed by Joel A. Moskowitz, M.D

An irony in modern Jewish life is that our co-religionists are more likely to think and vote along liberal lines than they are to join a synagogue of any denomination. Author Larry Sternberg thinks fellow Jews need to reconsider their affiliations

A self-described political amateur (he ran for office twice and lost), Sternberg contends Jews make a mistake when they choose liberalism.  Liberals tend to back programs that  increase government, yet big governments have not been good for Jews, he asserts.   Historically, powerful and/or big governments have abused Jews, witness those of the Tsar, Stalin and Hitler. 

Liberal Jews view the government as being in a better position to help the unfortunate. This is a misguided expression of the Jewish belief in charity. The Torah stresses the value of individual acts of charity.   Why are Jews inclined to abandon their religious teaching?  Giving charity so
that neither the recipient nor the giver knows the other is the purest form of giving.  Government assistance is not anonymous.  Liberals tend to be in favor of the Robin Hood tactics of taking taxes from citizens to fund those deemed to be in need.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's programs counteracting the Depression had a deep effect on Jews.  They joined the liberal group that they perceived had saved them, the Democratic party.  Jewish voting patterns reflect continued loyalty.

While some of the Depression era  interventions were undoubtedly helpful, more recent application of handout programs, such as the welfare state, have been a disaster. Nevertheless, liberals favor continuing and increasing these socially destructive policies. The conservative economist, Milton Friedman, cited in this book, says  he doesn't know why Jews are liberals, but suggests it may have something to do with our being embarrassed by capitalism. Friedman contends that Jews may bend over backwards to help the poor to counter the anti-Semites' depiction of us as money-grubbing shylocks.

Sternberg argues that the conservative position favoring smaller government is more congruent with Jewish traditions and is safer for Jews than liberalism.  As a general rule,  Sternberg believes in individual freedom, a non-invasive government, and the unfettered variations of the marketplace.  He admits he is not consistent.  

He favors the Patriot Act, not withstanding its intrusiveness, on the grounds that it is necessary for the nation's defense.  Ditto compulsory military service, should defense ever require it.  

Somewhat surprisingly, he accepts government affirmative action programs saying exclusion of the nation's minorities is far more destabilizing.  And, government regulations prohibiting smoking in restaurants obviously restrict individual freedom yet, nevertheless, are acceptable to him   

This book makes stimulating reading, whether you are a liberal or a conservative.