The Political Consequences of Trauma: Holocaust Exposure and Emotional Attachment to Israel Among American Jews

Building on research about the long-term consequences of political violence, this case study examines the degree to which American Jews with direct and/or familial exposure to the Holocaust differ from other American Jews in their emotional attachment to Israel. Recent studies from other countries suggest that survivors of politically-induced traumas develop strong social identification with other members of their group and transmit these identities to their descendants. Jews who experienced the Holocaust are likely to manifest this identity by developing strong emotional attachment to Israel.