“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 – Daniela Cohen, ex-journalist, today – Content Manager. Born in Milan, Italy.
In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state have to you personally and to Jewish people in general?
“It is fundamentally important, because all of our tradition is based on a whole nation that moves from slavery toward the land promised to our forefathers. So the land is a basic topic, although very small at the moment, it is enough for all who live in diaspora.”
Do you feel committed in some way to defend the future existence of Israel?
“Well, yes, but I am not young anymore, I’m alone and a single middle aged is not exactly what Israel is looking for. And I lost my job during the economic crisis and live very hardly.“
Do you affiliate yourself with a specific denomination in Judaism? What is your view regarding the dominance of the Orthodox denomination in Israel religious establishment?
“I respect everybody opinion but I never lived that way and, though trying to follow better some topics, like shabbat and festivity, I could not become like them. Beside, I always thought that religion must be quite apart from politics, therefore I don’t like extremism of any sort and especially in politics.“
Do you feel morally responsible for Israel’s actions (such as its management of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict)?
“Unfortunately I cannot change nobody’s mind. I did not like Sharon, I liked Rabin, I do not like Netanyahu and do not know what’s going on in Israel. Obviously population must defend from crazy terrorism, but there should be an attitude toward several problems that doesn’t seem to exist, at the moment, in my opinion. But I count zero.”
How would you describe Israel’s policy (formally and in practice) regarding its relationship with the Diaspora?
“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. I heard that who goes to Israel feels very far from others and feel alone. This is not the best for deciding to move.”
In your opinion, does Israel have an obligation to defend and help Jewish communities in need?
“I don’t know, maybe Israel has already too many problems. Help could come only if they tried to create the best condition for alliyah and find new good people living there and working for common good.”
Have you ever been to Israel? if you have, can you summarize your impression from the Israeli reality?
“I went only with my family so many years ago that those photographs are vintage, now! I was a teenager, now… But I was very curious about Jerusalem, where I had an uncle and we also stayed in Haifa and Tel Aviv and Eilat. Water was beautiful! People were nice but I was too young to feel more.“
What was your best experience of Israeli culture in the past year (book, music, TV, movie, theater etc.)?
“listening to interesting masters and rabbis talking about several topics, also books I read, some absolutely wonderful. Also music, there is much I like.”
Can you tell us a bit about the Jewish community in your hometown? Is it organized? Are there any community activities?
“In Milano, we have a big, old Temple, very beautiful, several smaller synagogues: two in school of the Community, others created by Chabad, who work much here and in different neighborhoods.”
