Jonathan Kaplan, Director of Development, Addison-Penzak JCC of Silicon Valley
“I don’t know what Israelis fail to understand about the reality of Jews in the Diaspora, but I suspect many fail to understand that how we are regarded is profoundly affected by what Israel does.” The Interviewee – Jonathan Kaplan, Director of Development for the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center of Silicon Valley. I am in […]
Susan Borison, Owner of Your Teen Magazine, Ohio
“Israeli Philharmonic played at Severance Hall in Cleveland, Ohio. I was moved by the diversity in the Philharmonic. From bearded percussionists to kippah srugah in the strings and many others made up a diverse group who played HaTikvah and moved the audience to tears.” The Interviewee – Susan Borison, (Born 1961) Owner of Your Teen […]
Saul Noah Mangel, Blogger, Florida
“For far too long Jews wondered the globe, being dependent on the goodwill of local rulers who turned on them at a moments notice.” The Interviewee – Saul Noah Mangel (Born 1992), I am a blogger for the Times of Israel. I was born in Philadelphia and grew up in there before moving to Washington, DC for […]
Melvyn H. Bloom, NYC
“Israel is always under political and verbal attack, if not physical attack. It is all our role to be vigilant and rise to her defense.” The Interviewee – Melvyn H. Bloom (Born 1938), I was born in Chicago, IL. I retired just a few weeks ago from the American Technion Society, where I served as Executive […]
Shari L. Edelstein, Manager of Institutional Development at HIAS, Boulder, Colorado
“Israel wants to be independent, yet it also has expectations from the Jewish diaspora, particularly for funding. I believe that this is shifting and that there is a growing awareness that the relationship can be mutually beneficial.” The Interviewee – Shari L. Edelstein, Manager of Institutional Development at HIAS . I was born in New Jersey and […]
Sara Blatt, Retired, Austin, Texas
“One impression is that I never met Israelis who were religious, other than Orthodox. Even Masorti Jews were, by and large, inactive. They therefore didn’t think that trying to create equality of different groups of Jews was of any importance.” The Interviewee – Sara Blatt (Born 1953). I am a second generation U.S. citizen of […]
Sharon Miller, Retired, Austin, Texas
“I think all Jews in the Diaspora are ‘morally’ responsible. They have a lot of influence on Israeli politics, even though it may not always seem so.” The Interviewee – Sharon Miller (Born 1948), retired. I was born in Toronto, Canada. I met my husband in Israel, lived in California about 30 years and moved to […]
Mark N. Schwartz, Chief Investment Officer, Los Angeles
“I am sick and tired of American Jews telling Israel what to do. The Israelis are smarter, more sophisticated, and have real skin in the game; they and only they have a right to determine how this issue is managed.” The Interviewee – Mark N. Schwartz (Born 1956), Chief Investment Officer. Born in New York, Grew […]
Neil Blumofe, Senior Rabbi, Congregation Agudas Achim, Austin, Texas
“Being Jewish outside of Israel is not a zero-sum game — a spectrum of engagement and an array of choices of how to immerse in study and prayer uplifts all who are searching for meaning and celebrating our rich traditions.” The Interviewee – Neil Blumofe, Senior Rabbi, Congregation Agudas Achim, Austin, Texas. I have lived […]
Viktor Melamed, Public Affairs consultant, Sofia
“For me and for all Jews the existence of Israel is of crucial importance, because it gives sense of security and hope!” The Interviewee – Viktor Melamed (Born 1958) Public Affairs consultant. I was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Now I live in Sofia. I’m founding partner at Fama Consulting. I have professional experience of almost 20 years in local […]
Rabbi Marc Katz, Associate Rabbi at Congregation Beth Elohim, Park Slope Brooklyn
“Israel’s fate is tied deeply to the fate of all Jews. Just as we have the mandate to love and defend Israel (while still allowing for disagreement) they too have the mandate to care for us in the same way.” The Interviewee – Rabbi Marc Katz (Born 1984), I was born in Springfield, MA. I […]
Daniel Spiro, Senior Trial Counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice, Bethesda
“Sometimes, I think that Israel treats Jewish communities in the Diaspora like Cinderella’s sister treated her. There is a certain arrogance that Israeli leaders project which is deeply unfortunate, and not consistent with the Jewish faith as I understand it.” The Interviewee – Daniel Spiro, Vocationally (Born 1960), I am a Senior Trial Counsel at […]
Bertha Mendlovic Pasol, Doctoral student, Mexico
“I love Israel and am very grateful for my time there, Israeli society´s values, people, way of life definitely contributed to make me who I am today, in every aspect of my life – as a Jew, as an individual, as a mother, friend, professional, wife, etc.” The Interviewee – Bertha Mendlovic Pasol, Doctoral student, […]
Rebekah Molasky, Student, Indiana University
“Almost every major world religion has a home to call its own and it is of the utmost important that the Jewish people have one too.” The Interviewee – Rebekah Molasky, student. I from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and I go to school at Indiana university. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of […]
Max Meyer, President Of the Danish Zionist Federation
“I always say Israel is a democracy, and those who live there also determine the country’s politics.” The Interviewee – Max Meyer (Born 1952), Chairman In the Danish Plumbing Union and unpaid President Of the Danish Zionist Federation. I was born and live today in Copenhagen, my parents are from Poland and Germany. My wife is […]
Ariel Hojchman Burakoff, President of the Mexican Zionist Council
“Israelis do not understand us, because they risk their lives daily, but they do not know that we risk our lives in the diaspora, like them just because we are Jews.” The Interviewee – Ariel Hojchman Burakoff (Born 1951), i am president of the Mexican Zionist Council (Mexican Zionist Federation) and the vice-president of the cdi (centro deportivo […]
Rosa van der Wieken-de Leeuw, Retired, Amsterdam
“If anything will drag the Israel into the abyss it is the orthodox dominance in state and public issues. Reform Judaism has much more to offer the majority of Israelis.” The Interviewee – Rosa van der Wieken-de Leeuw (Born 1948), Retired. Born in a very small town in Netherlands where till the WWII, my grandfather was the […]
Rabbi Lawrence Englander, Chair of ARZENU, Toronto
“I oppose the monopoly of any single stream and advocate religious pluralism in Israel. This means, among other things, the abolishment of the Chief Rabbinate.” The Interviewee – Rabbi Lawrence Englander (Born 1948), Ordained from HUC Cincinnati 1975. Founding Rabbi of Solel Congregation, which I served for 41 years and am now Rabbi Emeritus. I am also […]
Rabbi Michael L. Feshbach, Senior Rabbi, Temple Shalom, Chevy Chase, Maryland
“The Orthodox role in the religious establishment in Israel turns many people away deeply, it is offensive on every level and it is, I believe, more of an existential threat to the state of Israel and its future than many of the physical ones.” The Interviewee – Rabbi Michael L. Feshbach (Born 1961) Senior Rabbi, Temple […]
Yehuda Erdman, Chair of Meretz UK, London
“Israel is only interested in the opinions of the Diaspora if they agree with their own stated position. They want wholehearted and unquestioning support from Diaspora Jewry. Anyone who disagrees is a ‘self-hating Jew’.” The Interviewee – Yehuda Erdman (born 1948), I am a retired Microbiologist and the Chair of Meretz UK. I was born in […]
B’, Brooklyn
“My outsider’s view is that it is not ‘the Orthodox denomination’ that dominates Israel’s religious establishment but a certain limited Orthodox crowd.” The Interviewee – B’ (Born 1973), have lived around the world, currently call Brooklyn, NY home. Asked to remain anonymous In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state have […]
Michael Carasik, Bible scholar, Philadelphia
“My outsider’s view is that it is not ‘the Orthodox denomination’ that dominates Israel’s religious establishment but a certain limited Orthodox crowd.” The Interviewee – Michael Carasik (Born 1952), I’m a Bible scholar and support myself through freelance writing, teaching, and synagogue work. Born in Chicago, today – resident of Philadelphia. In your opinion, what importance, if […]
Daniela Cohen, Content Manager, Milan
“If they would really like that Jews will come to israel, as Netanyhau said in France last year, referring to ‘all Jews to go to Israel’, the policy should show attention for the need of peace, tolerance, security and the possibility to find a job and a house, to melt with others.” The Interviewee – […]
Rabbi Ariel Abel, Liverpool Old Hebrew Congregation
“I spend much valuable time reasoning and contextualising Israel’s actions in the Middle East. This is mainly because I see the concept of being one’s ‘brother’s keeper’ as including care for one’s fellow Jew’s actions, and theirs for mine.” The Interviewee – Ariel Abel (Born 1974), Rabbi, Liverpool Old Hebrew Congregation. Born in Manchester, graduate in […]
Rhonda Rosenheck, Editor and writer, Albany, NY
“I think there is a difference in how Israelis and Americans think of being Jewish, and that it can be hard for each to understand the other in this area. Israelis think of Israeli as their nationality, Judaism as their religion, and Jewish as their cultural heritage.” The Interviewee – Rhonda Rosenheck (Born 1962) Wordworker-in-Chief, […]
Pinchas Eliezer Dunner, Senior Rabbi, YINBH Beverly Hills Synagogue
“They fail to see the Jewish identity safety net that living in Israel gives them. It is much harder to remain Jewish in the Diaspora. The children of Israelis who move to the United States, for example, assimilate at a much faster rate than American Jews.” The Interviewee – Pinchas Eliezer Dunner (Born 1970), Senior […]
Antonio Satryan, Student, President of Indiana University Hillel
“If I felt that Israel faced an existential threat, I would go to fight for Israel. At home, I lobby government leaders to defend Israel.” The Interviewee – Antonio Satryan (Born 1994), Student, President of Indiana University Hillel, AIPAC Campus Liaison. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish […]
Rabbi Terry Allen Bookman, President of Eitzah, Miami
“Our rabbis taught, ‘Every Jew is responsible one for the other’ so yes, I do feel the moral weight of Israel’s actions. While I understand and appreciate the gravity of Israel’s security, it is incumbent on the State to end its occupation of the Palestinian people if it wishes to remain BOTH a democracy and […]
Noreen Gordon Sablotsky, Retired, Miami
“I feel very morally responsible for the solution of the Israel Palestinian conflict and am constantly disappointed and worried about the current trend to ignore the need for a to state solution. I feel this is dangerous to the future of Israel and its ability to remain a Jewish State and a homeland for the […]
Dennis M. Kirschbaum, Executive Director, Hillel at University of Rochester
“Israel appears in my dreams and in my poetry. It is a strange land and it is home. It is the place I go to work and to be with friends. It is beautiful and ugly. I cry when I arrive and I cry when I leave. I wonder how I could live there and […]
Ronni Strongin, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, American Associates, Ben-Gurion Uni.
“Israel is my home away from home, the home of my soul and I feel that Israelis are all part of my extended family. Every time I arrive, I feel like I’m coming home and there is great gratification that I am now part of the majority people.” The Interviewee – Ronni Strongin (Born 1961) […]
Gloria Z. Greenfield, President, Doc Emet Productions, Knoxville
“I think that Israel’s relationship with the Diaspora is generous, despite the fact that diaspora Jewry, particularly American, is betraying Israel.“ The Interviewee – Gloria Z. Greenfield (Born 1950), President, Doc Emet Productions (producer/director of Body and Soul – The State of the Jewish Nation, Unmasked Judeophobia; and producer of The Case for Israel – Democracy’s Outpost) Also, […]
Mark Bloome, Seattle
“The orthodox habituation of the settlements can be significantly related to the decline in the world perception of the Jewish state. God gave us what he gave us, but the Orthodox did not accept the gift. Not enough they said and took actions. The results speak for themselves.” The Interviewee – Mark Bloome, full time advocate […]
Neal Gold, ARZA, National Director of Content & Programming, ARZA, Massachusetts
“Israel wants and needs a strong Diaspora community, but often takes its support for granted (especially when it disenfranchises non-Orthodox Jews within its borders).” The Interviewee – Neal Gold (Born 1970), National Director of Content & Programming, ARZA (The Association of Reform Zionists of America). I live in Natick, Massachusetts. ARZA is the ZIonist arm of […]
Melissa Sostrin, Judaic Instructor, Nashville
“I consider myself to be Conservative. I think the dominance of the Orthodox is undemocratic as they represent only 20-25% of the population The Interviewee – Melissa Sostrin (Born 1964), Judaic Instructor, Micah Children’s Academy Owner/operator Chabad Challah by Sweets Melissa & Sons. I was born in a suburb of Chicago. I got a BA […]
Arinne Braverman, M.Ed. Executive Director, Northeastern Hillel
“A fundamental reason I have worked for Hillel for over a decade is our goal of seeking to provide every Jewish student with the opportunity to explore and build an enduring relationship with Israel.” The Interviewee – Arinne Braverman (Born 1977), M.Ed. Executive Director, Northeastern Hillel. Arinne was born in Chicago, IL. She graduated from Smith […]
Jane Greyf, Partner at Goodwin Procter LLP, NYC
“NY has a strong, vibrant Jewish community centered around foundations and secular centers, in addition to various religious communities.” The Interviewee – Jane Greyf (Born 1974), Partner at Goodwin Procter LLP. I was born in Moscow and moved to New York with my family in 1988. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence […]
B. holds a position in the French Academic Community
“Israelis maybe sometimes underestimate the centuries-old bound that attach the Jews to the countries they live in – despite the difficulties that they might face now and then in these countries.” The Interviewee – B. holds a position in the French Academic Community, non-religious background. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence […]
David Sarna, Writer and retired as CEO, New Jersey
“I am Modern Orthodox. I respect pluralism. I think the Rabbinate in Israel must not be part of government and must not have monopoly power.” The Interviewee – David Sarna (Born 1949), Writer and retired as CEO of high-tech companies. Born in London, England. Lives in Teaneck, New Jersey. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does […]
Dr. Dan Einhorn, Amsterdam, Netherlands
“Israel should be a safe haven for ALL Jews no matter what there religious believes. Non other group should enforce their believes on others whether it’s orthodox or secular.” The Interviewee – Dr. Dan Einhorn, Teaches education theory at MBO Utrecht, educating future Teaching Assistants on teaching and teaching related topics. Lives in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In your opinion, […]
Rabbi Ellen Greenspan, Montreal
” I believe Reform Judaism should be fully and equally recognized in Israel. There just in not any other option.” The Interviewee – Rabbi Ellen Greenspan (Born 1958), Rabbi-Educator, Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Hometown: Scarsdale, NY; Lived in north-west NJ for 23 years before moving to Montreal almost 2 years ago. In your opinion, what […]
Avi Levinson, Social Entrepreneur, Toronto
“I think that observant Jews have to learn to be more accepting of non-observant Jews and vice versa….basically, we both need to stop digging in our heels.” The Interviewee – Avi Levinson (Born 1986), Managing Director at NextJEN. Born in Ottawa, Canada and I was raised in Toronto. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does […]
Alan Bolchover, London
“Israel is a wonderful enterprise but has never really understood its minorities.” The Interviewee – Alan Bolchover, (Born 1973) Director of Fundraising at The Outward Bound Trust. Born in Manchester, UK, lives in London. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state have to you personally and to Jewish people […]
Jamie Allen Black, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Big Tent Judaism, NYC
“A Jewish state could/should be a neutral land where all Jews feel comfortable and welcome. If that were the case, I would personally feel it’s existence was quite important as both a refuge and as a repository of our shared history.” The Interviewee – Jamie Allen Black, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Big Tent Judaism/Jewish […]
Beth Dwoskin, Retired librarian, Detroit
“I am formally affiliated with Conservative Judaism, though I regard myself as a Jew ethnically and culturally. I think the Orthodox dominance in Israel is a disaster.” The Interviewee – Beth Dwoskin (Born 1951) retired. Born in Detroit, MI. Worked as a librarian, hold a Master’s Degree in Jewish Studies. In your opinion, what importance, if […]
Martin Greenberg, CEO of ORT America, NYC
“I am 100% committed to defend the existence of Israel and would do so with my work efforts, my dollars and would do so with my life if necessary.” The Interviewee – Martin Greenberg (Born 1949), Chief Executive Officer of ORT America. Born in NYC. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of […]
Rabbi Dr. Eric M. Lankin, Executive Director at ELEM
“What seems to be a policy is that the State of Israel knows where American Jewry is when it needs US governmental and Jewish community dollars.” The Interviewee – Rabbi Dr. Eric M. Lankin (Born 1956) Executive Director, ELEM/Youth in Distress in Israel. Born in Philadelphia, PA. Attended public high school; Graduate of the Wharton School of the University […]
Michael Jeser, Director of Financial Resource Development, Jewish Federation of Greater Portland
“Israelis lack an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of Jewish affiliation and identification among American Jews.” The Interviewee – Michael Jeser, Director of Financial Resource Development, Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state have to you personally and to Jewish people in […]
