Michael Rosenzweig (Born 1952), Retired. Formerly president and CEO of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, and before that president and CEO of the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Lived in Atlanta Georgia since 1987. Trained as a lawyer and was a law professor and then in private practice and in-house with a large company before moving to the non-profit sector in 2008.
In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state have to you personally and to Jewish people in general?
“Extremely, existentially important.”
Do you feel committed in some way to defend the future existence of Israel?
“Yes, most definitely.”
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 am a Conservative Jew. I believe that Orthodox triumphalism is a serious problem in Israel. The notion that the only authentic Jews are Orthodox is ridiculous and dangerous.”
Do you feel morally responsible for Israel’s actions (such as its management of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict)?
“I feel morally engaged. I can’t quite feel personally responsible, since I don’t live there or vote there. But I do feel personally involved with respect to the moral dimensions of Israeli actions.”
In your opinion, what is the main thing Israelis fail to understand about the reality of being Jewish outside of Israel?
“That there is vibrant, vital Jewish life there, much of it non-Orthodox.”
How would you describe Israel’s policy (formally and in practice) regarding its relationship with the Diaspora?
“Naive, uninformed. Too little appreciation for what Diaspora Jewry is and how important its engagement with Israel is.”
In your opinion, does Israel have an obligation to defend and help Jewish communities in need?
“Yes. Absolutely.”
Have you ever been to Israel? if you have, can you summarize your impression from the Israeli reality?
“Dozens and dozens of times, including living there. My impression is that Israeli life is unnecessarily coarse, unnecessarily lacking in basic civility and courtesy. I also find the Orthodox hegemony in Israel stifling and short-sighted.”
Can you tell us a bit about the Jewish community in your hometown? Is it organized? Are there community activities?
“Atlanta. 125,000 Jews, many synagogues and day schools, vibrant Jewish cultural landscape, significant engagement with Israel.”
Is there a question you feel should be added to the project’s questionnaire?
“Yes. You should ask about how important, if at all, engaging with Israel is to maintaining a vibrant and committed Jewish life. I think Israel is in danger of losing the Diaspora and needs to know and address that problem, especially in the US. Without strong support from the American Jewish community, much of the US support Israel takes for granted is threatened. My sense is that Israelis generally don’t appreciate that. “
