Joshua Leifer

Joshua Leifer is a PhD student at Yale University, focusing on modern European intellectual history, Jewish intellectual and cultural history, political theology, and Jewish politics.3 He is also a journalist and editor, with his work featured in prominent publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and Haaretz. He is a member of the editorial board for Dissent and has previously worked with Jewish Currents and +972 Magazine .12

Leifer is the author of Tablets Shattered: The End of an American Jewish Century and the Future of Jewish Life, which critiques the relationship between American Judaism and Zionism, arguing that the latter has often overshadowed traditional religious practices and values within the Jewish community.246 His book has sparked discussions about the complexities of Jewish identity and the political landscape surrounding Israel and American Jewry, particularly in light of recent events in the region.245

In addition to his academic pursuits, Leifer has been active in Jewish activism, having been involved with groups like IfNotNow, which advocates for an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories. His personal journey reflects a deep engagement with the tensions between his Jewish identity and the political realities of Israel.45