“We are as the Midrash says: One People with one heart. We need to be close to Israel as Israel is to us.”
The Interviewee – Rabbi Darío Feiguin (Born 1957), Congregation B’nei Israel, Costa Rica. I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I studied Education and Jewish Thought at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where I got a BA and a MA. I received my Smicha at the Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano (Conservative).
In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state have to you personally and to Jewish people in general?
“It is crucial.”
Do you feel committed in some way to defend the future existence of Israel?
“Of course.”
Do you affiliate yourself with a specific denomination in Judaism?
“Progressive.”
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?
“1) That many times it is not so easy to live a a Jew in the Diaspora.
2) That a Jewish State must be founded on Jewish values.
3) That arrogance is not a good way to explain to the world the Israeli situation.”
How would you describe Israel’s policy (formally and in practice) regarding its relationship with the Diaspora?
“I would like to be respected and not underestimated.”
In your opinion, does Israel have an obligation to defend and help Jewish communities in need?
“Yes. We are as the Midrash says: One People with one heart. We need to be close to Israel as Israel is to us.”
Have you ever been to Israel? if you have, can you summarize your impression from the Israeli reality?
“I lived 7 years in Israel when I was a student at the Hebrew University. I visited Israel many times, took groups. My daughter become Israeli and my son lived there for 2 years.”
Can you tell us a bit about the Jewish community in your hometown? Is it organized? Are there community activities?
“I am in Costa Rica just 10 months. My Congregation is the only non orthodox one in the whole country. The Central (Orthodox) Congregation and the Chabad one discriminated us for being open to Gerim and progressive in our way of worship. We are a small congregation of about 80 families, founded by Reform Jews about 28 years ago. We live a profound, committed and meaningful Jewish life.”
