We built them before. We must build them again - opinion

For past generations of diaspora Jews in America, discrimination and exclusion from economic, social, and cultural life were the norm. Jews were shut out of prestigious law firms, financial institutions, hospitals, universities, and corporate leadership positions. Elite institutions enforced quotas on Jewish admissions. Professional advancement came with invisible ceilings, and the social clubs and business networks that determined success were often closed to them.

Rather than wait for acceptance or rely on the hope that things would eventually improve, Jews built their own alternative institutions that would not only serve the Jewish community but also contribute enormously to American society as a whole.

When Jewish doctors and medical professionals were denied hospital privileges, they responded by creating world-class medical centers. In Los Angeles, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center became a beacon of excellence. In New York, Mount Sinai Hospital and Montefiore Medical Center were founded to ensure that Jewish physicians could practice medicine freely and Jewish patients could receive high-quality care without facing discrimination. These institutions went on to become pillars of American medicine, serving millions and advancing medical research.

When Jewish financiers were locked out of the old-line banking establishment, they did not accept second-tier status. Instead, they built firms that would reshape global finance: Goldman Sachs, Kuhn, Loeb & Co., Lehman Brothers, and Morgan Stanley. These firms emerged directly from the reality that Jewish talent had to create its own doors when others remained firmly closed, ultimately achieving leadership in international markets.

Shut out of the established East Coast cinema industries and elite social networks, Jewish immigrants helped create the modern film industry from scratch. They founded major studios, built distribution networks, and shaped one of America’s most influential cultural exports. Warner Bros., MGM, Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox, and Universal Pictures stand as enduring testaments to that ingenuity and drive, entertaining and influencing generations worldwide.

When academia imposed quotas and systemic exclusion, the Jewish response was equally bold. Brandeis University was founded as a direct answer to discrimination, built on the principle of merit over prejudice. Hebrew Union College and Yeshiva University expanded educational opportunities and enriched intellectual life at a time when many sought to restrict Jewish access.

And when Jews were barred from the informal spaces where relationships and careers were built, they created their own. Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles and similar institutions became vibrant ecosystems for business, philanthropy, and leadership.

These were not acts of separation but of necessity, courage, and vision. They transformed exclusion into excellence and opportunity, proving that building parallel institutions strengthens both the Jewish community and the broader society.

Over time, as legal and social barriers fell and Jews achieved remarkable success in American society, many assumed that chapter of history was permanently closed. But with the sharp and continued rise in antisemitism in recent years, old patterns of exclusion are re-emerging, often disguised as opposition to Israel that rapidly extends to all Jews, whether or not they identify as Jews, and/or support the State of Israel.

Across academia, corporations, medicine, media, and cultural industries, Jewish professionals increasingly encounter ideological gatekeeping, hiring discrimination, and barriers to advancement. This new form of antisemitism is subtler and more socially acceptable than in the past, making it harder to confront directly.

And once again, the lesson is becoming clear: the Jewish American community cannot rely on the goodwill of others for economic security. We must rediscover the self-reliant mindset that sustained our predecessors.

That means investing deliberately in our own economic infrastructure. Creating robust Jewish job pipelines, mentorship networks, venture capital funds, and rapid-response support systems for professionals facing discrimination. Building business associations and funding networks that connect Jewish talent to opportunities and ensure no one stands alone when doors begin to close. Prioritizing practical programs that deliver quick wins and build momentum across communities, including targeted workshops, emergency funds, and professional directories.

But we must also think bigger and construct a parallel, resilient infrastructure across key sectors just as those who came before us did. In education, endow faculty chairs, fund fellowships, and support independent research centers insulated from ideological coercion.

In medicine, research, technology, and biotech, expand mentorship programs, venture funding, and startup ecosystems where Jewish innovation can flourish. And we must invest in the next generation of startups, biotech ventures, and research labs where breakthroughs are made.

On top of all that, we need to strengthen financial networks and community capital funds to support sustained economic growth and independence. These efforts should be coordinated at a national level with clear metrics for success and measurable impact on employment and institutional strength.

This approach is not about withdrawing from American society; it is about ensuring full participation without requiring Jews to abandon their identity or support for Israel. It is about strength, preparedness, and collective responsibility in an era of uncertainty.

Our predecessors built enduring institutions under far harsher conditions and with far fewer resources. They turned necessity into one of the most remarkable stories of communal achievement in modern history. We can, and must, do the same.

The future of Jewish economic resilience in the diaspora will not be handed to us. It must be built, just as it was before, with determination, vision, and unyielding commitment to our people’s future.