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: Hardback
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," Dr. Michael Fleisch explores how both parties have navigated their interests, emotions, and attitudes in this complex collaboration. By examining the history of American Jewish philanthropic support to Israel, Fleisch assesses the fundamental nature of power sharing between the Jewish diaspora in the United States and Israel. Through in-depth contemporary case studies of the relationship between sixteen non-governmental organizations and their American Jewish donors, he examines whether these philanthropic associations replicate classic power-sharing dynamics or represent a significant departure from the traditional model of Checkbook Zionism. The findings of this research offer a novel paradigm for evaluating power sharing in the Israel-Diaspora relationship, with implications for future development efforts.

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," Dr. Michael Fleisch explores how both parties have navigated their interests, emotions, and attitudes in this complex collaboration. By examining the history of American Jewish philanthropic support to Israel, Fleisch assesses the fundamental nature of power sharing between the Jewish diaspora in the United States and Israel. Through in-depth contemporary case studies of the relationship between sixteen non-governmental organizations and their American Jewish donors, he examines whether these philanthropic associations replicate classic power-sharing dynamics or represent a significant departure from the traditional model of Checkbook Zionism. The findings of this research offer a novel paradigm for evaluating power sharing in the Israel-Diaspora relationship, with implications for future development efforts.

Weight: 481g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978819955