Non-Orthodox US Jews

In the promotional headlines on the top of your October 11 issue is the question, “Why are so many non-Orthodox Jews in the US Against Trump?” Since many Israelis wonder about this, it is important that there be a response.

A main reason is that they view US President Donald Trump’s policies as inconsistent with some basic Jewish values. Please consider:

1) Trump supported legislation that would cause as many as 32 million Americans to lose their health insurance.

2) Trump signed a tax bill that overwhelmingly benefits the wealthiest Americans and highly profitable corporations, which will result in annual deficits of at least a trillion dollars for many years, giving the Republicans an excuse to carry out their long-standing desires to cut programs that the vast majority of Americans depend on.

3) Trump is doing everything possible to eliminate or weaken efforts to reduce greenhouse gases while climate threats are becoming increasingly apparent.

Most American Jews see Trump alienating American allies and adopting policies they think make a peaceful resolution of the Israeli conflict with the Palestinians less likely and increased violence more likely.

Finally, there is the question of character. The New York Times conservative columnist Bret Stephens, a former chief editor of The Jerusalem Post, stated in a recent article that Trump’s personality involves “lying, narcissism, bullying, bigotry, crassness, name-calling, ignorance, paranoia, incompetence and pettiness.”

RICHARD SCHWARTZ Professor Emeritus, College of Staten Island