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Most, if not all, of the Jews I know inherited their politics from their parents in some way. Maybe most people do in general, but I particularly notice it about them. Anyway, I assume (and have seen some evidence) that their parents got their politics from their parents, etc. It is a very traditional culture. That works both ways, btw - a very conservative Jew I knew got her politics from her father, another from his father the Rabbi.

As to why the Jews back up the line were liberal, well, there's the question that needs to be answered. I don't know the answer, perhaps it has something to do with persecution in the old country. But I do know that nobobdy is going to wave a magic wand and change these traditions with mere logic about who supports Israel the most. The most liberal Jews I've known were fervent Israel supporters, to the point where they talked about going and serving in the military there if necessary. But that sure didn't have any effect on their politics here.

The most liberal Jews I've known were fervent Israel supporters, to the point where they talked about going and serving in the military there if necessary. But that sure didn't have any effect on their politics here.

If they didn't feel that to some extent, I'd be worried. But running with a far-left crowd can change you. The leftier of those two friends I mentioned above once told me about a Jewish friend of hers who got some adjunct teaching job at Columbia ... the guy went in pro-Israel, and after about a year she found a Lebanese flag on his desk. I mean, what can you do for somebody like that.

The most liberal Jews I've known were fervent Israel supporters, to the point where they talked about going and serving in the military there if necessary. But that sure didn't have any effect on their politics here.

Politically, support of Israel is a non-issue. Both parties vote overwhelmingly in support of Israel. Hence, there is little risk in terms of support for Israel regardless of what party you belong to.