On the surface, it seems like a good thing: my faith is recognized as part of America’s foundation. After all, George Washington wrote to The Hebrew Congregation of Newport that the United States, “gives to bigotry no sanction.” It sounds simple, but our history in Europe had been filled with small pockets of toleration and large gashes of violence. My ancestors dreamed of these kinds of words. They held their breath, hoping that this time, maybe, we’d find it.

Yet, this idea of values keeps coming up for issues that my Jewish values don’t support. Ted Cruz claimed that he would return us to these values when he won the Iowa caucus. Apparently, those values include voting against the Violence Against Women Act. Judeo-Christian values for him don’t seem to include Pikuach Nefesh, which state that every life, whether LGBTQ or Native American, is precious.

My favorite use of these values comes up around Christmas. For instance, taking down a nativity scene is evidence that progressives have put “Judeo-Christian values…under attack.” Last time I checked, Christmas wasn’t a Jewish holiday, just an excuse to enjoy some good Chinese food.

The history of this term isn’t any better

Even the history of this term makes me uncomfortable. The earliest uses of Judeo-Christian are tied to converting Jews to Christianity in 1829. By 1829, they were no longer large players in American politics. Adams and Jefferson had already died. Madison, the last surviving founding father, passed away just seven years later in 1836. No founding father ever used the term at the beginning of our nation.

The use of the term as we know it began in the 1940’s. It was used to fight America’s intense isolationism. It’s easy to forget: Even after Kristallnacht, over 60% of Americans said we shouldn’t permit 10,000 refugee children, mostly Jews, to enter the country.

Jewish Refugees aboard the St. Louis. They were forbidden from docking in America and had to go back to Europe, many dying in the Holocaust (source).

It seems terrible now but we forget how Jews were seen at the time. Few remember that Jews were seen as lesser whites before World War II. It was in this context that the idea of Judeo-Christian values came to the forefront. It was an attempt to humanize Jews and maybe save lives.

Though six million still died, the idea of Judeo-Christian values rose in popularity through the 1950’s. Jews joined the American middle class through access to government programs open to white citizens. Politically, this faith alliance benefited both the Truman and Eisenhower administrations. They could contrast American religiosity and tolerance against the ‘Godless’ Soviet Union. The term began to fade from politics as secularism became important through the 60’s and 70's.

Yet, the term didn’t die. Shared values rose in prominence again in the 1980’s. The Religious Right began to fight against secularism for the sake of “Judeo-Christian values” and the rhetoric hasn’t stopped. It’s become foundational for the ideology behind prayer in school, opposition to same sex marriage and women in combat. The term was an imaginary umbrella, claiming Judaism for a predominantly white and evangelical majority. Even today, Christian faith leaders claim that Trump will restore Judeo-Christian values.

The rhetoric and statistics don’t match

The statistics, however, undermine the Religious Right’s claim to shared values with Jews. Orthodox Jews are the most likely to identify with the Religious Right but make up only 10% of the American Jewish population. Jews of other denominations don’t join this coalition of faith.

Much of this is rooted in the ways our faiths differ. Christians have focused on correct thought. For Jews, faith has been rooted in correct practice. Christianity has fought bitterly over dogma and correct interpretation. The Talmud, one of the most important Jewish texts interpreting our bible, is full of argument and disagreement. What was important for a religious life became very different in each of these religions.

This historical difference impacts us today. Surveys show Jews define ourselves differently. Many define Judaism through remembering the Holocaust, leading an ethical life, as well as working for justice and equality. My faith is rooted in the words of our prophets, like Isaiah, who asks us, “To unlock the fetters of wickedness/And untie the cords of the yoke/To let the oppressed go free.” My faith doesn’t focus on sinner or saint. It asks me to practice empathy daily. More importantly, it requires that I work toward the safety and justice of all, regardless of their background or beliefs.

What about Israel?

Women of the Wall reading from the Torah at Robinson’s Arc. Judaism is a mixture of religious practice and pushing to create a better world. Source.

Some might say that we are blocking a natural political alliance with evangelical Christians. They support Israel in stronger and more passionate ways than many American Jews. Shouldn’t we work together?

Looking deeper, it’s clear that this support comes with a catch. The Christian Bible states that before Jesus can return, Jews must once again possess the land of Israel. This idea is taken literally by many in the Religious Right. One man at a conservative summit in Iowa this past year claimed that, “in the end, [Jews] will see the light and they will become Christian.” This isn’t support based on the right to exist and practice Judaism. This is about a long game, where Jews will give up their faith for a returning Christ.

It becomes hard to believe the goodwill when we look at the other Abrahamic faith: Islam. After all, Muslims also believe that Jesus will usher in the Day of Judgment. They also believe Jesus is a prophet, bringing these two faiths far closer to each other.

Yet, white evangelicals judge Islam and Judaism very differently. When asked to rate each group on a feeling thermometer, they rated Jews a warm 69 while giving Muslims a cool 30. I won’t deny there are multiple reasons for viewing Jews and Muslims so differently, including the War on Terrorism. Still, all three faiths have overlapping theology and a connection to Abraham. I can’t help but wonder: Would Muslims be treated better if they had a role in the Second Coming?

There’s more than one type of missionary. Source

This isn’t mere paranoia: Less than 10 years ago major conversion efforts were taking place at a government institution, the Air Force Academy. In 2005, one Jewish cadet was called a ‘Christ killer’. Despite changes, a survey showed that 41% of non-Christian cadets dealt with unwanted proselytizing often from evangelical Christians.

Why is it then, that evangelicals are the ones who claim that their freedom of speech is inhibited? They can talk all day of Judeo-Christian values but their actions say something else. This is a fight to make America a Christian country. Jews are merely a convenient part of that plan.

The idea of shared values has a place. It shouldn’t be surprising since our traditions overlap. In fact, I’d prefer to look at the Abrahamic tent expanding to include Islam in the tent. Yet, the idea of Judeo-Christian values has been taken for a conservative Christian purpose. It uses my identity to create the illusion of diversity among the Religious Right. They claim my values not for the justice my people yearn for. They use our name to make America more Christian and ultimately, less safe, for Jews and other minorities to thrive.