I would look much deeper within Jewish culture itself to find the roots of its idealism in its messianic tradition.
Most Christians only know of Jesus as a figure in Jewish messianic traditions. But there have been several others since then. Most notably Shabbatai Zevi, in the 17th Century.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabbetai_%E1%BA%92evi
In short, he persuaded almost the entirety of European Jewry that he was the messiah (by the Jewish description of an Earthly king of the Jews, not the Christian one). Then he made the mistake of traveling to the Ottoman Empire, to convert the remaining Jews. The Sultan grabbed him, and made him convert to Islam in exchange for sparing his life.
This was an enormous embarrassment to the Jews, but clearly showed how susceptible they were to Earthly idealism—perfection on Earth, led by a messiah figure. The European Christians were also unnerved by this, because it showed how integrated the Jews had become with the financial mechanisms of Europe.
But this attraction to messiahs and idealism is why so many Jews are attracted to idealistic philosophies, like Marxism, because in it they see the possibility of Earthly paradise.
Remember that Judaism is not big on the idea of an afterlife, instead seeing rewards as Earthly things. So why not be attracted to promises of turning Earth again into the Garden of Eden?
Both socialism and Marxism promise idealistic perfection all the time. Often it was referred to as “The New Jerusalem”, by religious idealists. This was the big attraction of JFKs “Camelot”, as well.
Likewise Jews are very attracted to the cult of personality, with the idea of messiah adoration. They were infatuated with JFK, MLK, and hoped ever so much that Obama would be “the one”.
Your post makes a lot of sense. There is not belief in salvation and an afterlife. Not being an expert I imagine that there are still sects of Judaism who are expecting a Messiah, but more commonly the belief is that the Jewish race a carries out the works of the Messiah - peace on earth, care for the poor, etc. The belief is that you earn your rewards here on earth. Jews are notable philanthropists (universities, hospitals, performing arts, countless foundations and charitable organizations).
A political party that seems to embrace those viewpoints of making the world a better place through government action fits their template. Where the disconnect comes in, IMO, is that the government does it with other people’s money.
You are so close, but you trivialize the fervor that Jews feel for justice and peace in our time, in our lives for Jews and for all.
You are so right about the idealism that this inspires. But, each of these idealistic movements based on "fixing" Judaism, has had its limitations and the variations that are based on the rejection of God (Socialism and Communism) provide the ground that grows evil as those who would be above morality impose their will in the name of the faceless masses.
The Kaddish Prayer for remembering the Dead, said at Jewish every service
Glorified and sanctified be God's great name throughout the world which He has created according to His will.
May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days, and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon; and say, Amen.
May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity. Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored, adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.
May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.
He who creates peace in His celestial heights, may He create peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.
One needs look no farther, to see no messiah "complex", or to trivialize Jews for not looking to an afterlife, because they commit their souls back to God. Judaism, is the ultimate radical religion in that it recognizes the evil that man is capable of and yet demands that with God's help we can find our way to peace and justice, and let that work start today. Let that time of peace come in our lifetime.
Let us meet in comfort and joy "Next year in Jerusalem".
The radicalism of Judaism comes from the fact that it is a religion of slaves, not masters. Just as the United States is deeply based on these same radical thoughts. The founders poured their hopes and minds into crafting the foundations for a "New Jerusalem" that city on the hill. And they created a system of Law and the idea of the Law being the highest authority on Earth as God was the true source of Man's rights and dignity. This vision was of Leaders who are "Servants" rather than "Masters." Who do not rule by might or by power but by the consent of the people for whom they represent. And, this time of service was to be limited so that this power always passed to new hands, new ideas and did not become a right of a privileged few, as has been the normal path of all societies before, to tyranny and oppression and sorrow.
The word "Liberal" has come to mean opposite of what "liberal" of the Founding vision meant and Jews in their cores have both tendencies to "liberal" (the value of individual dignity) thought and the value and importance of community as well.
This mirrors the conflict that Judaism inspires between celebrating the worth of the individual and the limits of that worth must respect so that a community can exist as well. The worth of the individual comes from the immediacy of the ability of each human to respond to God's call directly, not through an intermediary. Yet, all people of sensitivity and experience with human nature understand that the ego can be its own false God and lead men to horrors while they claim divine inspiration and sanction for these behaviors because they do not bound their actions by the needs of their community.
The American Founders also took from Christianity, the cynical position that men are basically evil, and that this evil nature must be limited and controlled as an ongoing process. A fact that Judaism, also shares but does not cast as the result of original sin but yet acknowledges in the form of Lashon Harar, the evil inclination that is the first to show in humans and is not controlled until one finds the natural inclination toward good, Lashon Ha Tov, via study and prayer and learning to live within an ethical community.
But, it is this Christian acceptance of original sin that will not go away and the Jewish rejection of this as an ultimate state for mankind that leads to opposing world views. The Pessimism of Christians for mankind in this life but with hope for redemption and peace in the next life and the Optimism of Jews that peace and justice are available today if we would let go of evil today has come to animate the heart of this Great American experiment.
Communism and Socialism are the false Gods of the godless and many people including many Jews have fallen away from faith and respect for God. In the world where Man is all and only the mechanism's of "nature" are at play, the so called Rationalist position. Then, the source of power comes from the appetites of men, from their evil nature and ultimately their own "Will to Power." Ultimately it says, there are folks who are the natural masters to whom all others are but slaves and servants.
The teachings of Jewish and Christian thought provide men with the courage they need to resist those who would make them slaves, and caution against the worship of false Gods provide the lure that draws the weak heart into evil deeds. As they say, all of the rest is commentary.