Ira Robinson (1951), Chair in Quebec and Canadian Jewish Studies, Department of Religion, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada. I was born in Boston. I received my Ph.D. from Harvard University and have been teaching Jewish Studies at Concordia University since 1979.

In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state have to you personally and to Jewish people in general?

“The reality of the State of Israel has made a tremendous difference to all contemporary Jews. It constitutes the great Jewish project of the past century. All Jews, whatever their attitude is to the State of Israel–positive or negative– share an orientation toward the Jewish State. To me, personally, Israel is the only place other than my home that I seek to visit as often as possible and where I might consider living.”

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

“I do feel that commitment quite deeply and it has led me, among other things, to regularly teach a university course on Israel as well as to support pro-Israel publications and organizations.”

Do you affiliate yourself with a specific confessional division in Judaism? What is your view regarding the dominance of the Orthodox division in Israel religious establishment?

“I attend an Orthodox synagogue and in general conduct my life according to halakha. I nonetheless feel that there needs to be a better way to regulate issues of Judaism in Israel than the current status quo. There needs to be easier access to conversion to Judaism as well as a better solution for the significant group of people who must leave Israel to obtain a civil marriage.”

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

“As a Jew, I feel a special and close relationship with Israel. I rejoice in its successes and feel badly when its policies do not succeed. I understand that, as a Jew, all of Israel’s actions and policies are directly attributable to me by at least some observers.”

In your opinion, what is the main thing Israelis fail to understand about the reality of being Jewish outside of Israel?

“There is a major disconnect between the reality of Israeli Jews and that of diaspora Jews. Israeli Jews live in a society that functions within a Judaic (or post-Judaic) timeframe such that identification as a Jew can be simply ‘going with the flow’. Diaspora Jews live in societies that function within other timeframes (e.g. Christian or post-Christian) such that Jewish identification requires overt effort that, in some instances at least, can be construed as ‘countercultural’.”

How would you describe Israel’s policy (formally and in practice) regarding its relationship with the Diaspora?

“Israel’s policy toward diaspora Jews is based on a set of contradictory ideas. Diaspora communities are both sources of aliya (and hence in an ideal sense these communities should see their future in Israel) and of financial support and political advocacy for Israel (and hence need to remain strong and populous).”

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

“Israel is a great religious and cultural resource for diaspora Jewish communities. Israel therefore needs to share its religious and cultural creativity with other Jewish communities. In certain cases, it may need to help Jewish communities in other ways as well.”

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

“I have been to Israel numerous times. My general impression is that Israel’s reality is both complex and at times contradictory. Israelis have generally succeeded in creating a country and society that works for them though they have not yet succeeded in finding solutions for a number of their society’s important issues.”

Can you tell us a bit about the Jewish community in your hometown? Is it organized? Are there community activities?

“Among diaspora communities, Montreal is large, well-organized, Israel-oriented, and possessed of considerable cultural and religious creativity.”