Milton Himmelfarb, American sociographer, author, and academic (b. 1918)

Milton Himmelfarb: A Leading Sociographer of the American Jewish Experience

Milton Himmelfarb (October 21, 1918 – January 4, 2006) was a prominent American sociographer, renowned for his insightful and often trenchant analyses of the American Jewish community. Unlike a pure sociologist who might focus solely on academic theories, Himmelfarb excelled at observing, chronicling, and interpreting the demographic, social, and political trends shaping Jewish life in the United States, providing a detailed empirical picture combined with keen intellectual commentary.

A Distinguished Career at the American Jewish Committee and Beyond

Himmelfarb dedicated four decades of his professional life to the American Jewish Committee (AJC), a leading global Jewish advocacy organization established in 1906. At the AJC, he held the influential position of director of information and research services. In this role, he was instrumental in shaping the committee's understanding and articulation of the challenges and opportunities facing American Jewry. A cornerstone of his work at the AJC was his editorship of various versions of the comprehensive *American Jewish Yearbook*. This authoritative annual publication, first published in 1899, provides a statistical and narrative overview of Jewish life, movements, and institutions globally, with a particular focus on the United States. Himmelfarb's contributions ensured its continued relevance as an indispensable resource for scholars, policymakers, and the public interested in Jewish affairs.

Beyond his significant tenure at the AJC, Milton Himmelfarb was also a long-standing contributing editor for *Commentary*, the influential monthly journal of opinion. Founded in 1945 by the American Jewish Committee, *Commentary* emerged as a crucial intellectual forum for discussions on Jewish issues, politics, culture, and society. Himmelfarb's contributions to the journal further solidified his reputation as a penetrating intellectual and a key voice in American Jewish thought, known for his incisive essays and critical perspectives that often challenged conventional wisdom.

Academic Engagements and Public Service

Himmelfarb's intellectual contributions extended into the realm of public service and academia. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan appointed him to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. This council was established by Congress to advise the President and Congress on the establishment and maintenance of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, which officially opened in 1993. His appointment underscored his recognized expertise and dedication to memorializing the Holocaust and educating future generations about its atrocities.

Throughout his career, Himmelfarb also held several distinguished academic posts, sharing his knowledge and insights with future generations of scholars and leaders. He served as a visiting professor at two significant institutions of Jewish learning: the Jewish Theological Seminary, the academic and spiritual center of Conservative Judaism in America, and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, a prominent institution for the training of Reconstructionist rabbis. Additionally, he was a visiting lecturer at Yale College, one of the nation's most prestigious universities. His own foundational education was rooted in the City College of New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1938 and a Master of Science (MS) degree in 1939, laying the groundwork for his distinguished intellectual career.

The Enduring Aphorism: "Jews Earn Like Episcopalians, and Vote Like Puerto Ricans"

One of Milton Himmelfarb's most enduring legacies is an aphorism he coined regarding the American Jewish community's unique political persuasions: "Jews earn like Episcopalians, and vote like Puerto Ricans." This pithy statement, first articulated in the 1960s, quickly captured the complexities and seeming paradoxes of American Jewish political behavior. The first part, "Jews earn like Episcopalians," referred to the upward socioeconomic mobility achieved by many American Jews, who by the mid-20th century had largely entered the middle and upper-middle classes, paralleling the economic success often associated with the historically affluent and mainline Protestant denomination, the Episcopalians. The second part, "and vote like Puerto Ricans," highlighted the continued strong progressive and Democratic Party leanings of American Jews, despite their economic advancement. This voting pattern, often resembling that of working-class or minority groups who typically voted for the Democratic Party (like the predominantly Democratic-voting Puerto Rican community at the time), contrasted sharply with the more conservative voting habits often observed among other economically successful groups. Himmelfarb's aphorism succinctly articulated a persistent observation: that economic self-interest, often assumed to drive conservative political alignment, did not fully explain the consistent liberal-to-moderate political preferences of the majority of American Jews. This observation continues to be debated and analyzed in studies of American political sociology and Jewish identity.

A Legacy of Thought and Family Connections

Milton Himmelfarb passed away in New York City at the age of 87, leaving behind a rich legacy of intellectual contributions to the study of American Jewry. His sister was the highly respected historian Gertrude Himmelfarb (1922–2019), who was renowned for her scholarship on Victorian England and intellectual history. Through his sister Gertrude, Milton Himmelfarb was the uncle of prominent conservative political commentator and founder of *The Weekly Standard*, William Kristol, and Elizabeth Kristol, a noted editor and literary professional. His work continues to be cited in academic and public discussions about Jewish identity, demography, and political engagement in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Milton Himmelfarb

Who was Milton Himmelfarb?

Milton Himmelfarb (1918–2006) was an American sociographer, a scholar who chronicled and interpreted the social, demographic, and political trends of the American Jewish community for over four decades.

What was Milton Himmelfarb's main professional affiliation?

He worked for four decades at the American Jewish Committee (AJC) as director of information and research services, where he also edited the *American Jewish Yearbook*.

What was Himmelfarb's connection to *Commentary* magazine?

He was a long-standing contributing editor for *Commentary*, an influential journal of opinion founded by the American Jewish Committee, where he published numerous insightful essays.

What is the significance of the aphorism "Jews earn like Episcopalians, and vote like Puerto Ricans"?

This famous aphorism, coined by Himmelfarb, highlights the paradox of American Jewish political behavior: their significant economic success (like Episcopalians) did not correlate with conservative voting patterns; instead, they tended to vote progressively (like the predominantly Democratic-leaning Puerto Rican community at the time).

Did Milton Himmelfarb hold any public service appointments?

Yes, in 1986, he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, which advised on the establishment of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Who are Milton Himmelfarb's notable family members?

His sister was the acclaimed historian Gertrude Himmelfarb, and through her, he was the uncle of political commentator William Kristol and editor Elizabeth Kristol.