“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 any, does the existence of a Jewish state have to you personally and to Jewish people in general?

“It (1) protects my life in a way that was not possible when there was no Jewish armed force; (2) provides a center for Jewish language and culture.”

Do you feel committed in some way to defend the future existence of Israel?

“I feel morally committed but find it hard to picture a situation where I could help in any practical way.“

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 am religious/observant but not Orthodox. My outsider’s view is that it is not ‘the Orthodox denomination’ that dominates Israel’s religious establishment but a certain limited Orthodox crowd.“

Do you feel morally responsible for Israel’s actions (such as its management of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict)?

“Not morally responsible for them, but affected by them, as I am by the actions of the United States government.”

In your opinion, does Israel have an obligation to defend and help Jewish communities in need?

“Israel has demonstrated that it feels this obligation, and I am glad of it.”

Have you ever been to Israel? if you have, can you summarize your impression from the Israeli reality?

“I spent about 2 ½ years in Israel in the 1st half of the ’70s, mostly on Kibbutz Kfar Blum, and visited again, mostly in Jerusalem but also in Modiin and Karnot Shomron for a week or so in 1997, 1999, and 2001. Not easy to sum it all up in terms of ‘impressions.’.“