Judaism's identity in American society hinges on a crucial linguistic distinction: should it be understood as a "religious civilization" or a "civilizational religion"? The latter formulation proves far more accurate and consequential for American Jews navigating their dual commitments to faith and nation. Through comparative analysis of definitional implications and examination of two pivotal cases—American Jewish status following Israeli statehood and the competing roles of synagogues versus Jewish community centers—this research reveals how terminology shapes institutional priorities and communal identity. Defining Judaism as "civilizational religion" better serves American religious pluralism by establishing Jews primarily as a religious community rather than an ethnic minority, thereby avoiding dual loyalty concerns while maintaining meaningful religious connections to Israel. This framework also reinforces synagogue centrality over the secularizing influence of community centers operating under "cultural pluralism" philosophy. The analysis demonstrates that "civilizational religion" provides a more effective paradigm for American Judaism by prioritizing religious consciousness over ethnic identification, ensuring religious institutions remain central to Jewish communal life while maintaining compatibility with American democratic principles and avoiding the quasi-political implications of corporate peoplehood.