As an Israeli, I watch America’s presidential inauguration day from afar, from Tel Aviv. But I am still watching it, following it, thinking about it. I do not follow the swearing-in of other world leaders. I do not closely follow the election processes in most other countries. I do not sit in TV studios to broadcast the beginning of a French, British or German administration. America is not my country, and yet it is still more special to me than most other countries.
As an Israeli, I see America as special because of two reasons:
-
- Because of its ongoing support for Israel, because it is Israel’s ally and occasional protector, because of the support Israel gets from most Americans.
- Because of the special role American plays in the world. No, America is hardly a perfect country, but all in all, it is a force for good. A world in which America is dominant is better than one in which it is not.
As an Israeli, I followed this year’s processions with admiration, puzzlement, worry and appreciation. I admired the resilience of American democracy. Not for one moment in recent weeks was there a doubt that on January 20, Joe Biden would be sworn in as President. There was not a moment in which the painful events in Washington looked like a revolution had succeeded.
As an Israeli, my reaction to what Americans celebrate today is one of appreciation.
As an Israeli, I am puzzled about America’s state of mind. It seems that Americans often forget how good it is for them to be American — to have all the advantages of being American, to have a resilient political system, to have the margin of error only a superpower has. Yes, America makes mistakes, but it is strong enough to overcome even grave ones. For an Israeli, it is puzzling to see a nation so powerful and yet so restless.
I am worried that because of such restlessness, such polarization and such dissatisfaction, America will no longer play the positive role in world affairs that it has played for so many years. I know that this is exactly what many Americans hope for; they want their country to withdraw from the word, to shut down. I can see why, and I can even identify with such sentiment. But to an Israeli, such American sentiment is worrisome.
As an Israeli, my last reaction to what Americans celebrate today — the peaceful, if tense, transfer of power — is one of appreciation. It is an appreciation for the departing Donald Trump, who was an ally to Israel. I know, for many Americans, him being Israel’s ally does not come close to atoning for his many sins. I can see and understand why they feel this way. And yet, as an Israeli, I owe President Trump my appreciation. I owe him for being bold, for being contrarian, for daring to do what his predecessors were too traditional, too cautious, to do.
As an Israeli, I also have a sense of appreciation for Joe Biden, for his many years of friendship with Israel, for the things he had done and said about Israel and for the many things that he will do for Israel. Yes, I have full confidence that President Biden has the best of intentions when Israel’s safety is at stake. I have full confidence that he will give Israel a fair hearing and will act in a way that he deems the least harmful to Israel. Is this going to be easy? Not necessarily. Will Israelis be pleased with his decisions? Maybe not. And yet, appreciation is due.
Israel’s best wishes are for success. A friendly America is essential for Israel. A successful America is essential for Israel. That is the key: Israel wants America to be its successful friend. So now, it must root for President Biden and Vice President Harris. God bless them, and God bless America.
Celebrating Inauguration Day as an Israeli
Shmuel Rosner
As an Israeli, I watch America’s presidential inauguration day from afar, from Tel Aviv. But I am still watching it, following it, thinking about it. I do not follow the swearing-in of other world leaders. I do not closely follow the election processes in most other countries. I do not sit in TV studios to broadcast the beginning of a French, British or German administration. America is not my country, and yet it is still more special to me than most other countries.
As an Israeli, I see America as special because of two reasons:
As an Israeli, I followed this year’s processions with admiration, puzzlement, worry and appreciation. I admired the resilience of American democracy. Not for one moment in recent weeks was there a doubt that on January 20, Joe Biden would be sworn in as President. There was not a moment in which the painful events in Washington looked like a revolution had succeeded.
As an Israeli, I am puzzled about America’s state of mind. It seems that Americans often forget how good it is for them to be American — to have all the advantages of being American, to have a resilient political system, to have the margin of error only a superpower has. Yes, America makes mistakes, but it is strong enough to overcome even grave ones. For an Israeli, it is puzzling to see a nation so powerful and yet so restless.
I am worried that because of such restlessness, such polarization and such dissatisfaction, America will no longer play the positive role in world affairs that it has played for so many years. I know that this is exactly what many Americans hope for; they want their country to withdraw from the word, to shut down. I can see why, and I can even identify with such sentiment. But to an Israeli, such American sentiment is worrisome.
As an Israeli, my last reaction to what Americans celebrate today — the peaceful, if tense, transfer of power — is one of appreciation. It is an appreciation for the departing Donald Trump, who was an ally to Israel. I know, for many Americans, him being Israel’s ally does not come close to atoning for his many sins. I can see and understand why they feel this way. And yet, as an Israeli, I owe President Trump my appreciation. I owe him for being bold, for being contrarian, for daring to do what his predecessors were too traditional, too cautious, to do.
As an Israeli, I also have a sense of appreciation for Joe Biden, for his many years of friendship with Israel, for the things he had done and said about Israel and for the many things that he will do for Israel. Yes, I have full confidence that President Biden has the best of intentions when Israel’s safety is at stake. I have full confidence that he will give Israel a fair hearing and will act in a way that he deems the least harmful to Israel. Is this going to be easy? Not necessarily. Will Israelis be pleased with his decisions? Maybe not. And yet, appreciation is due.
Israel’s best wishes are for success. A friendly America is essential for Israel. A successful America is essential for Israel. That is the key: Israel wants America to be its successful friend. So now, it must root for President Biden and Vice President Harris. God bless them, and God bless America.
Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.
Editor's Picks
Israel and the Internet Wars – A Professional Social Media Review
The Invisible Student: A Tale of Homelessness at UCLA and USC
What Ever Happened to the LA Times?
Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?
You’re Not a Bad Jewish Mom If Your Kid Wants Santa Claus to Come to Your House
No Labels: The Group Fighting for the Political Center
Latest Articles
The Book and the Sword
In the Desert – A poem for Parsha Bamidbar
A Bisl Torah — Your Time Capsule
Not Wandering in the Wilderness with Bewilderness
A Moment in Time: “Me Time”
Inaugural ‘Core Vital Voices Conference’ for Orthodox Women Who Provide End of Life Care
Print Issue: The Speech I Won’t Give at Georgetown Law | May 15, 2026
An outcry over my support for Israel in my Jewish Journal columns forced me to withdraw from my commencement address at Georgetown Law School. Here is the speech I was going to give.
Israel’s Noam Bettan Advances to Eurovision Grand Final
This is the fifth time that Israel has qualified for the Eurovision final in the past six years.
The Klezmatics Are Made for These Times
“We Were Made for These Times” is as inventive and joyous an album as I’ve heard in a long time. And the most proudly Jewish.
Motherhood, War and Media: WIZO Luncheon Reflects a Changing Reality Since Oct. 7, 2023
In a sold-out event at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, WIZO (Women’s International Zionist Organization) hosted its annual Mother’s Day Luncheon.
Brian Goldsmith’s Senate Bid Rooted in Fighting Antisemitism in California
He became the first senior adviser to Democratic Majority for Israel PAC, helping elect pro-Israel politicians to Congress and winning more than 80% of races.
AJU’s Ziegler School: Growth and Transformation
The challenge is how we can reinvent rabbinical training so that it’s not clinging to models that no longer work, is sustainable, and addresses the needs of today and tomorrow’s Jewish community.
A Guava Gourmet Cheesecake for Shavuot
Let’s just say, Shavuot gives us a wonderful, guilt-free excuse to indulge in this guava mango cheesecake!
Celebrate National Hamburger Month
While there may be limitations on how to enjoy burgers due to the laws of kashrut, it just means Jews have to get a little more creative.
Table for Five: Bamidbar
Counting Soldiers
Kehillat Israel to Return to Palisades 16 Months After Devastating Fire
It’s not just a momentous occasion for the congregation but is significant for the larger Palisades community as well, as it helps restore a sense of faith that the community will reemerge stronger than ever.
‘Once Upon My Mother’ Brings Roland Perez’s Extraordinary True Story to the Screen
The story centers on Esther Perez (portrayed by Leïla Bekhti), a Moroccan-Jewish immigrant and devoted mother of six. When her newborn son Roland is diagnosed with a clubfoot and given a bleak prognosis, Esther refuses to accept limits placed on his future.
An American Shabbat
When I travel in America, I love being invited to observe Shabbat building bridges – uniting tribes – among Christians.
Synagogues Have Become the New Front Line for Jews in New York
The moment Jewish houses of worship become targets for political intimidation, the line between activism and harassment disappears.
Rosner’s Domain | Remembering the Inimitable Abe Foxman
In the introduction to the book about the U.S. community I wrote about a decade and a half ago, a little story about Foxman appeared, which I thought was appropriate as a farewell to this man and to an era.
The Remnant of Israel and the Meaning of Monticello
America’s third president’s home survived thanks to the efforts of a proud Jew thankful for freedom of religion in the United States.
The End of an Anti-Israel Propaganda NGO – More to Come?
Perhaps this also signals a belated reckoning for other false-flag NGOs claiming to promote human rights. The damage from terror-supporting propaganda will take many years to reverse, but at least further abuse can finally be prevented.
Shavuot: Return to Sinai
Shavuot is that moment in the year where all becomes one – People Israel, Torah, memory and the Divine – a unification begun at Sinai.
A New Jewish College
This idea is not just about fleeing antisemitism, nor proving native loyalty. It is about experiencing life from a different angle than the coasts.
Two Down, One to Go
So now, for my wife and me, it’s time for the mezinka, an Ashkenazi Jewish wedding custom that is observed when parents marry off their last child.
AIPAC and Israel Are Good for America
Emphasizing Israel’s value to America must become a community-wide effort. From the ADL to the AJC to the Federation system to Hillel and every pro-Israel activist group in the country, the collective priority must be to strengthen the U.S.—Israeli relationship.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.