“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 am currently the Associate Rabbi at Congregation Beth Elohim in Park Slope Brooklyn
In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state have to you personally and to Jewish people in general?
“Israel is a critical part of my Jewish identity. As I see it, time and place are not all equal. There are moments that are saturated with Divine connection just as there are places. That is not because God is any more present in them, but that we are different in them. I am different in Israel, more open, more expressive, more passionate, more sensitive to the wonders around me. And I am a microcosm for the Jewish people. Israel is a land of encounters where a people in need of God find the opening to form connection with the Divine. In addition to the obvious historical, sociological, and anthropological reasons for why Israel is important, it’s spiritual functions separates it from any other land on earth and makes it unique.”
Do you feel committed in some way to defend the future existence of Israel?
“Absolutely. Israel is a land in dispute. If we are not it’s greatest advocate no one will be. As Hillel taught “If I am not for myself, who will be for me.”
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 a Reform Rabbi therefore I have an interest in seeing a place for liberal Judaism in Israel. We are authentic and seek that message from Israel’s policies. Orthodoxy has a key place in Israeli culture, but it is not the only expression of Judaism in the world or in Israel. It is well understood that Israel does not have the same separation of religion and state as the US, but when Orthodox religious doctrine makes the practice of civil rights and liberal religion impossible, then there must be more of separation created.“
Do you feel morally responsible for Israel’s actions (such as its management of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict)?
“Yes. The counter to the Hillel quote above is the statement, ‘If I am only for myself, what am I.’ As the Jewish state, Israel at its best is an embodiment of my values and a representative of my faith. My fate is tied up to that of Israel. It’s successes are mine but it’s struggles are mine as well. For this reason, I grieve harder for Israeli hardships than I would for another countries and privilege their security like I would my own, but at the same time feel this must be balanced with an approach to humanity and justice that lives out the mandates in the Torah to care about the other and to seek peace.”
In your opinion, what is the main thing Israelis fail to understand about the reality of being Jewish outside of Israel?
“Judaism outside of Israel is not a zero sum game. One is not religious or secular. There is a rich tapestry of religious practices that demand relevance and meaning out of our 3000 year old tradition. All Jews can find their place if they seek it out.”
How would you describe Israel’s policy (formally and in practice) regarding its relationship with the Diaspora?
“I’m not sure one can say Israel has a definite policy toward the diaspora. Politics and political motivations are a challenging thing to nail down. Sometimes Israel has a moral connection to the fate of the diaspora. They have saved Jewish communities around the world many times from peril. Yet, sometimes the needs of the State do not perfectly align with the needs of the Diaspora community (like in the case of Reform Judaism in Israel). In those cases it depends who the leaders are and what the issues are that determine which needs are met.”
In your opinion, does Israel have an obligation to defend and help Jewish communities in need?
“Yes. 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.”
Have you ever been to Israel? if you have, can you summarize your impression from the Israeli reality?
“I have lived in Israel and led many trips. In truth, Israel is a country like any other with the everyday struggles of living. The deep existential questions that we ask in the diaspora are usually overshadowed by the basic needs of life there. As Amichai wrote, Israel is seen best by the man bringing his basket of fruit home for his family.”
What was your best experience of Israeli culture in the past year (book, music, TV, movie, theater etc.)?
“This year RITA came and gave a concert at my synagogue. It was amazing to see ex-pat Israelis and Americans come together to see such a star in the Israeli music scene.”
Can you tell us a bit about the Jewish community in your hometown?
“Park Slope is wealth of Jewish though and experience. It has a very active Jewish population and the whole of the New York Community has a deep engagement with Israel.”
