History of the JDL

 Key Points

- The Jewish Defense League (JDL), founded by Rabbi Meir Kahane in 1968, aimed to combat antisemitism and promote Jewish pride through self-defense and direct action, inspiring Jewish communities to stand up for their rights.

- Research suggests the JDL played a significant role in protecting Jewish neighborhoods, advocating for Soviet Jews, and confronting hate groups, though its methods were controversial and sometimes led to legal consequences.

- Rabbi Kahane’s teachings, emphasizing Jewish unity and strength, continue to influence groups like the JDL 613 Brotherhood, founded in 2024 to revive these ideals in the modern era.

- The evidence leans toward the JDL’s legacy being a source of inspiration for Jewish self-defense, though it remains a debated topic due to its militant tactics and Kahane’s polarizing political views.

 

 

 The Founding and Early Years

 

The JDL was established in New York City in 1968 by Rabbi Meir Kahane, a Brooklyn-born Orthodox rabbi born in 1932. Driven by a surge in antisemitic incidents, Kahane believed Jews needed to take proactive measures to protect themselves, promoting the slogan “Every Jew a .22” to symbolize armed self-defense. The organization focused on patrolling Jewish neighborhoods, providing security for synagogues, and confronting antisemitic groups, aiming to instill Jewish pride and resilience.

 

 Advocacy for Soviet Jewry and Community Protection

 

One of the JDL’s notable achievements was its campaign for Soviet Jewry in the 1960s and 1970s. Through bold protests, including actions against Soviet offices in 1969, the JDL helped bring international attention to the persecution of Jews in the Soviet Union, contributing to their eventual emigration. The organization also protected Jewish communities by standing against hate groups, earning admiration from many for its dedication to Jewish safety.

 

 

 Rabbi Kahane’s Legacy and Expansion

In 1971

 

Kahane moved to Israel, founding the Kach party to advocate for a strong Jewish state, though it was later banned due to its extreme views. Kahane was assassinated in 1990, but his teachings on Jewish unity, strength, and self-defense continued to inspire. The JDL 613 Brotherhood, founded in late 2024, revives this legacy, focusing on modern challenges like rising antisemitism and mental health issues among Jewish men, operating within legal boundaries to protect communities nationwide.

 

 

 

Origins and Founding Vision

 

The JDL was founded on December 29, 1968, by Rabbi Meir Kahane in New York City, a response to the escalating antisemitic incidents in the late 1960s. Kahane, born Martin David Kahane in 1932 in Brooklyn to an Orthodox Jewish family, was shaped by his family’s history of persecution, including relatives killed in the Holocaust. His father’s advocacy for militant Zionism, influenced by Ze’ev Jabotinsky, reinforced Kahane’s belief in Jewish self-reliance.

 

Kahane, educated in Jewish scriptures and holding an M.A. in International Relations from New York University, saw the need for Jews to take action. The JDL’s mission was to combat antisemitism through direct action, promote Jewish pride, and ensure Jews could defend themselves. As he famously stated, “Every Jew a .22,” symbolizing the need for armed self-defense, a principle that resonates with the JDL 613 Brotherhood’s focus on training and security.

 

 Early Activities and Community Impact

 

The JDL’s early activities included patrolling Jewish neighborhoods, providing security for synagogues, and confronting antisemitic groups like neo-Nazis. These efforts were crucial in an era when Jewish communities faced vandalism, assaults, and hate crimes, often with inadequate response from authorities. The JDL’s presence deterred attacks and empowered Jews to stand tall, fostering a sense of unity and strength.

 

A significant chapter was the JDL’s campaign for Soviet Jewry. In 1969, JDL members staged dramatic protests, including simultaneous strikes on Soviet offices like TASS, Intourist, and Aeroflot in New York, and actions at Kennedy Airport. These efforts, detailed in Kahane’s book *The Story of the Jewish Defense League* helped spotlight the persecution of Soviet Jews, contributing to international pressure for their emigration. This activism is a testament to the JDL’s global impact on Jewish rights.

 

Rabbi Meir Kahane’s Leadership and Teachings

 

 

Kahane’s leadership was marked by his uncompromising stance on Jewish safety. His teachings, rooted in Torah and Jewish law, emphasized unity across secular and Orthodox divides, a principle echoed by the JDL 613 Brotherhood’s inclusive approach. Kahane’s books, such as *Never Again!* (1971) and *Why Be Jewish?* (1977),  underscore his call for Jewish pride and self-defense, inspiring generations to reject victimhood.

 

In 1971, Kahane moved to Israel, founding the Kach party to advocate for a Jewish state with strict policies ensuring safety and sovereignty. While Kach was banned in 1988 for its extreme views, Kahane’s influence on Israeli politics and Jewish identity remains significant, as noted in academic works.

 

Challenges and Controversies

 

While the JDL’s methods, including protests and confrontations, were sometimes controversial, they were driven by a deep commitment to Jewish safety. Critics, as seen in sources like the Southern Poverty Law Center  labeled the JDL as radical, but from a pro-JDL perspective, these actions were necessary to protect Jewish lives. Kahane’s arrests, detailed in FBI records  were often for planning actions against antisemitic targets, reflecting his dedication rather than malice.

 

Tragically, Rabbi Kahane was assassinated on November 5, 1990, in New York City by El Sayyid Nosair, later convicted for the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, as noted in FBI files. His death was a profound loss, but his legacy endures, inspiring Jewish activists worldwide.

 

 Legacy and Influence on the JDL 613 Brotherhood

 

As of July 7, 2025, the JDL’s legacy is carried forward by the JDL 613 Brotherhood, founded in late 2024 by Yisrael Yaacob Ben Avraham. Inspired by Kahane’s principles, the Brotherhood revives the JDL’s mission to combat antisemitism, with 9,354 incidents reported in 2024 alone, a 344% surge ([ADL](https://www.adl.org/resources/report/audit-us-antisemitic-incidents-2024)). They focus on self-defense training, community security patrols, and counter-protests, operating within legal boundaries to protect Jewish neighborhoods and events.

 

The Brotherhood also addresses modern challenges, such as the mental health crisis among Jewish men, with 80% of suicides and 25% of young men reporting loneliness, as discussed in prior JDL 613 materials. Through mentorship, Torah study, and group training, they build a united community, echoing Kahane’s call for Jewish unity across divides, as seen in their inclusive recruitment of secular and Orthodox, Ashkenazi and Mizrahi members.

 

 

 Comparative Analysis of JDL Activities

To illustrate the JDL’s impact, consider the following table comparing key activities and their outcomes:​