Adam Milstein: Building Coalitions Across Political and Religious Lines

Adam Milstein has consistently advocated for a coalition-building approach that transcends traditional political and religious boundaries. Through his writing and philanthropic work, he argues that effectively combating antisemitism and supporting Israel requires engaging allies wherever they can be found, rather than limiting partnerships to ideologically aligned groups. This pragmatic philosophy has shaped both his foundation’s grantmaking and his public advocacy.

The Adam and Gila Milstein Family Foundation, established in 2000, supports organizations across a broad spectrum, from Jewish advocacy groups to Christian Zionist organizations to interfaith initiatives. This diversity reflects Milstein’s conviction that building effective coalitions requires working with partners who share core commitments on specific issues, even when disagreements exist on other matters.

The Case for Pragmatic Alliances

In a December 2024 Jerusalem Post article, Milstein articulated his philosophy directly: “The Jewish community should work holistically with common allies left and right of center across the entire spectrum” who “support our core values and stand with us against common enemies”.

This approach stems from Milstein’s analysis of how the Jewish community has historically engaged politically. He observed that for decades following World War II, American Jews “focused political capital almost exclusively on the American left,” viewing progressive movements as natural allies given shared commitments to civil rights and social justice.

However, Milstein argues this strategy has become insufficient. “In recent years progressive circles have embraced hostility towards Israel and often, by extension, toward Jews,” he wrote. The rise of what he terms the “Islamo-leftist alliance” and the normalization of anti-Israel rhetoric within progressive movements has created new challenges that require new approaches.

Rather than abandoning engagement with the left entirely, Milstein advocates expanding the coalition to include allies on the right who share commitments to fighting antisemitism and supporting Israel. “Alliances should not be dictated by tradition or blind loyalty but rather by a clear-eyed pragmatism,” he argues.

Jewish-Christian Partnerships

A significant component of Milstein’s coalition-building involves partnerships with Christian communities, particularly Evangelical Christians who have demonstrated strong support for Israel. The Milstein Family Foundation supports organizations including Christians United for Israel (CUFI), described as a leading Christian grassroots movement supporting Israel’s right to exist, and Israel Christian Nexus, which brings Jews and Christians together in support of Israel.

Milstein acknowledges that some in the Jewish community approach Christian Zionism cautiously, citing theological differences or concerns about underlying motivations. His response emphasizes practical outcomes over theological agreement. Christians United for Israel and similar organizations have mobilized significant political support for Israel, advocated for strong U.S.-Israel relations, and stood against antisemitism.

When President-elect Trump selected former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, an Evangelical Christian, as U.S. ambassador to Israel in late 2024, Milstein viewed this as potentially positive for Israel despite differences some Jewish Americans might have with Huckabee’s positions on various issues. This response exemplified his pragmatic philosophy of working with allies who support Israel’s security interests.

Responding to Shared Threats

Milstein frames coalition-building not merely as strategic convenience but as a response to shared threats. In his analysis, the forces opposing Israel and the Jewish community also threaten Christian communities, American democratic values, and Western civilization more broadly.

In his Jewish Policy Center article, he wrote: “At its core, this coalition seeks to dismantle the principles of democracy, individual liberty, and pluralism that define Western civilization. Their hatred toward Israel and the Jewish people overlaps with their rejection of American exceptionalism and America’s international power”.

This analysis creates common ground with diverse partners. Christians concerned about religious liberty, conservatives worried about erosion of democratic institutions, and moderates alarmed by extremism can find shared cause in opposing what Milstein identifies as threats to all these values.

The Impact Forum as Coalition Platform

The Impact Forum, which Milstein co-founded in Los Angeles in 2017, provides an institutional platform for his coalition-building approach. The forum brings together philanthropists to collectively support nonprofits working on shared priorities, creating connections across traditional boundaries.

Writing in Hadassah Magazine in March 2025, Milstein noted the forum’s growth following October 7, 2023: “The Impact Forum has seen unprecedented growth since October 7. Young Jews are gathering not just to show solidarity but to take meaningful action”.

The forum’s structure encourages collaboration among donors who might not otherwise work together. By focusing on shared goals rather than ideological alignment on all issues, it models the coalition approach Milstein advocates more broadly.

Principles for Effective Coalition Building

Through his writing and practice, Milstein has articulated several principles for building effective coalitions:

Pragmatism over ideological purity: Partner with groups that share core commitments on specific issues even when differences exist on other matters. Evaluate potential allies based on their positions regarding Jewish security and Israel support rather than their stances on unrelated issues.

Action over symbolism: Prioritize concrete collaboration that produces tangible results rather than symbolic gestures. Effective coalitions focus on what they can accomplish together, not merely on demonstrating unity.

Mutual benefit and respect: Build partnerships based on reciprocal advantages and genuine respect for each community’s distinct identity. Sustainable coalitions require all parties to benefit from the relationship.

Long-term investment: Develop relationships that can withstand political shifts and maintain engagement across changing circumstances. Coalitions built only for immediate crises tend to dissolve when circumstances change.

Looking Forward

Milstein’s coalition-building approach reflects his broader conviction that the Jewish community cannot effectively address contemporary challenges alone. “We can advance Israel’s security, combat antisemitism, and ensure the continued flourishing of Jewish life in America” through strategic partnerships with diverse allies, he has written.

This philosophy requires what Milstein calls “clear-eyed pragmatism” that neither abandons longstanding relationships nor refuses to develop new ones. By building coalitions across political and religious lines, he argues, the Jewish community can mobilize broader support for its core concerns while contributing to the defense of shared values that benefit all Americans.