Checkbook Zionism: Philanthropy and Power in the Israel-Diaspora Relationship

American Jews donate approximately $2.5 billion to Israel each year, and Checkbook Zionism investigates how both parties have managed their interests, emotions, and attitudes about the collaboration. It assesses the core nature of power sharing between both sides of the Jewish diaspora to the United States through in-depth contemporary case studies of the relationship between sixteen non-governmental organizations and their American Jewish donors.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 12 January 2024
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

American Jews contribute approximately $2.5 billion to Israel annually, fueling a power-sharing dynamic that has profoundly impacted the relationship between Israeli and American Jews and shaped Israeli society. In his book "Checkbook Zionism," author Daniel Fleisch explores how both parties have managed their interests, emotions, and attitudes about this collaboration. Through in-depth contemporary case studies of the relationship between sixteen non-governmental organizations and their American Jewish donors, Fleisch assesses the core nature of power sharing between the Jewish diaspora in the United States and Israel. Field observation, document analysis, and interviews with leaders, activists, and select donors play a crucial role in this evaluation, as Fleisch examines whether these contemporary philanthropic associations replicate classic dynamics of power-sharing or represent a significant departure from the traditional Checkbook Zionism. The result is a groundbreaking paradigm for assessing power sharing that holds significant implications for future considerations of development in the Israel-Diaspora relationship.

American Jews contribute approximately $2.5 billion to Israel annually, fueling a power-sharing dynamic that has profoundly impacted the relationship between Israeli and American Jews and shaped Israeli society. In his book "Checkbook Zionism," author Daniel Fleisch explores how both parties have managed their interests, emotions, and attitudes about this collaboration. Through in-depth contemporary case studies of the relationship between sixteen non-governmental organizations and their American Jewish donors, Fleisch assesses the core nature of power sharing between the Jewish diaspora in the United States and Israel. Field observation, document analysis, and interviews with leaders, activists, and select donors play a crucial role in this evaluation, as Fleisch examines whether these contemporary philanthropic associations replicate classic dynamics of power-sharing or represent a significant departure from the traditional Checkbook Zionism. The result is a groundbreaking paradigm for assessing power sharing that holds significant implications for future considerations of development in the Israel-Diaspora relationship.

Weight: 340g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978819948