Solidarity as an Emotion: American Jews and Israel in 1948. Issue 1 (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Penslar, Derek
• Is Part Of: Modern American history. Volume 5:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 27
• Page End: 51
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Wars for the Greater Middle East -- Jewish -- Post-1945 -- Race and Ethnicity -- Public Opinion and Popular Culture; United States -- History -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- History -- 20th century -- Periodicals; United States -- History -- 21st century -- Periodicals; 973.9005
• DOI: 10.1017/mah.2022.1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2515-0456

Abstract

Abstract : American Jewish support for Israel during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War was in part the result of an emotional mobilization. American Jewish fundraisers constructed an extensive public-relations apparatus and formulated strategies for honoring supporters and shaming shirkers. They, along with journalists for the Jewish press, interpreted events through the lens of information provided by the newly formed Israeli government. Fundraising, however, could succeed only by responding to donors' emotional proclivities, and expressions of solidarity with Israel in Jewish media were laterally reinforcing as well as shaped from the top down. These findings underscore the role of positive emotions in generating "groupness."