“There is a vibrant, authentic Jewish life outside of the State of Israel, and one does not have to live in Israel to lead a full life as a Jew.“
The Interviewee – Malka Young (Born 1950’s), Director of Elder and Communal services at JFS. Born in Indiana, moved east to go to college, got married, had children and made my life in the greater Boston area.
In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state have to you personally and to Jewish people in general?
“To me: I grew up with a great awareness of the Holocaust, the creation of the state of Israel. My sister was born in 1948 and every milestone was shared with Israel, for example the year of her bat mitzvah was the year the state of Israel was 13 years old.
“I thought I would make Aliyah, living in Israel for 18 months between the ages of 16 and 21; but that didn’t happen. My daughter married an Israeli this past year, has a child and to my surprise, she is living in Jerusalem! So after a hiatus of many years (except for work) my husband and I will now be regular visitors.
“Jewish state is important to Jewish people as it has been our dream to return for millennium, practically with rise of antisemitism it is necessary; It has taught us we are just like other people-not better and not worse.”
Do you feel committed in some way to defend the future existence of Israel?
“Yes.”
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?
“Difference between affiliation and identify. Identity: Just Jewish. Affiliation: raised in Reform congregation, married by Reform rabbi, now currently a member of a conservative synagogue.
“Hate, hate, hate the dominance of the Orthodox denomination within Israeli politics and deferring to the Orthodox as the arbiters of who and what is Jewish. Ben Gurion made a deal with the devil, continuing British Mandate status quo. Shulamit Aloni did not understand that the Bible/Talmud was the inheritance of all Jews, not just orthodox and its misuse was the cause of oppression, not the texts themselves-a big loss for Israel, and weakened connection between Israeli and diaspora Jews when this was removed from Israeli curriculum in secular schools.“
Do you feel morally responsible for Israel’s actions (such as its management of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict)?
“Yes.”
In your opinion, what is the main thing Israelis fail to understand about the reality of being Jewish outside of Israel?
“There is a vibrant, authentic Jewish life outside of the State of Israel, and one does not have to live in Israel to lead a full life as a Jew. Many Jews feel ‘ownership’ of what does and does not happen in the State of Israel, feeling both pride and shame, at various times.”
How would you describe Israel’s policy (formally and in practice) regarding its relationship with the Diaspora?
“Formally says all of the right things. In practice, that the compromise (which I wouldn’t have accepted, but anyway) about Robinson’s arch has never been implemented shows the disrespect that Israel has for the Diaspora. The western wall is not a synagogue and there should be no separation. Israel could learn from Jews in the Diaspora. We are interdependent-we need each other.”
In your opinion, does Israel have an obligation to defend and help Jewish communities in need?
“Yes, as do all Jews everywhere.”
Have you ever been to Israel? if you have, can you summarize your impressions from Israel?
“Yes, many times in 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1978, 2012 and 2016.
“1969,1972,1973, 1974- totally in love with Israel, and the Zionist dream, did not understand what happened during the Yom Kippur war and how Israel had changed.
“Returning to Israel after 30 year break, was more removed, detached, more in touch with lost opportunities, inequalities. Hate the emptiness of many apartment buildings with majority owners living outside of Israel, only coming for holidays, when young Israeli families cannot find affordable housing. Also am disappointed in the inequality of resources between Arab Israeli towns and institutions and Jewish Israeli towns and institutions.“
Can you tell us a bit about the Jewish community in your hometown?
“I live in greater Boston area where Jews are 6% of population. I grew up in Indiana where Jews were less than 1% of population, so current community feels large and rich in resources. Several day schools, many families send their children to Jewish camp, most Jews are not affiliated with any synagogue, nor formally related to other Jewish institutions-following national trends that began in the 60’s.
“I am part of two study groups, one a bi-weekly mussar group and the other a ‘chevruah’ where I read modern Hebrew novels with a partner. We are on our third novel and we feel like we get an insider’s view of Israeli society and mores.”
If you could ask the Israeli readers of this project a question, what would it be?
“What do you think the relationship between Israel and the Diaspora should be? Is there a role for Diaspora Jews to support progressive values in Israel.”
