Dr. Rachel Friedberg (1965), Grew up in Illinois, live in Rhode Island. I have a lot of family in Israel, and have lived there, so am maybe less representative of the typical American Jew.
Dr. Friedberg is a Senior Lecturer in Economics at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
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 enormously important to me. To me, it is the anchor of my identity. But I am unusual among American Jews in that way. For most, I think it is a common cause, but not a personal foundation.”
Do you feel committed in some way to defend the future existence of Israel?
“Absolutely. But if its future existence depends in part on political choices made now, an American Jew’s power to help defend Israel is very limited from abroad.”
Do you feel morally responsible for Israel’s actions (such as its management of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict)?
“This is complicated. On the one hand, I can’t vote from abroad to influence these choices and actions. But on the other hand, this is my people and my nation taking these actions, so I do feel partly responsible.”
In your opinion, what is the main thing Israelis fail to understand about the reality of being Jewish outside of Israel?
“That most American Jews don’t think of themselves as being in a diaspora. That’s an Israeli perspective. America is a multicultural society, where being Jewish and American are compatible. Israel is just one celebrated part of Jewish life, but not the fulcrum it revolves around. In fact, some Jewish values thrive better abroad than in Israel, where they are sometimes challenged to the breaking point.”
How would you describe Israel’s policy (formally and in practice) regarding its relationship with the Diaspora?
“Condescending. The assumption is that all Jews belong in Israel. Americans are the rich, stupid uncle (though in some cases that is true).”
In your opinion, does Israel have an obligation to defend and help Jewish communities in need?
“Yes. it’s part of the mutual obligation between Israel and the diaspora.”
Have you ever been to Israel?
“I lived there on and off for 7 years.”
If an Israeli tourist should ever come across your hometown, which experience should he/she not miss?
“A big group of Jewish friends talking for hours without either religion or Israel coming up in the conversation.”
Is there a question you feel should be added to the project’s questionnaire?
“Are your views on Israel right/left wing? It would be interesting to see how the connection to Israel correlates. Most American Jews think loving Israel means being right wing, and that being center-left means not loving Israel, which is of course absurd.”
What will be your answer to that question?
“My place on the Israeli political spectrum is on the center-left.”
