“My sense is that Israelis see American Jewry in instrumental terms, that is, useful as a source of pressure on the US government to adopt policies that favor the interests of the Israeli state. But this is really just an impression.”

The Interviewee – Steven Neil Simon (Born 1952), Visiting Professor Dartmouth College. Born in New York City. Most of my career was in government, although I have written or co-authored several books related to the Middle East. Married, live in Norwich, Vermont.

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

“A great importance to me personally; I can’t evaluate its importance to the Jewish people as a whole. If the question is, ‘In your view, is the existence of Israel important to the survival of the Diaspora population?’ I suppose the answer is no, in the sense that the rate at which many Jews are abandoning their Jewish identity would not be affected very much by there existence or non-existence of Israel.

“It’s a complicated question of course depending on the underlying assumptions. In the context of the United States, the survey data seem to show that fewer American Jews feel very wrapped up in Israel’s fate than ever before, but the alluvial effects of intermarriage probably explain this development.”

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

“I did go to Israel 1973 as a war volunteer. At this stage, my participation in the physical defense of Israel would probably do them more harm than good. If the question is, when challenged do you defend the legitimacy of Israel’s existence, the answer is yes of course.”

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?

“I’m not a Sabbath observer and don’t observe the rules of Kashrut, but I grew up in a ‘conservadox’ community, which, a practical matter, meant that there was no mehitzah in the synagogue. The liturgy was orthodox, as were the rabbi and cantor. On the Orthodox hegemony over Jewish issues in Israel, it’s a pity but the bargain was struck by Ben Gurion in the earliest years of the state and, at this point, demographics and tradition ensure its durability.”

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

“No. Why should I?”

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

“Its legitimacy, autonomy and authenticity.”

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

“My sense is that Israelis see American Jewry in instrumental terms, that is, useful as a source of pressure on the US government to adopt policies that favor the interests of the Israeli state. But this is really just an impression. Relatedly, I have the impression, particularly from Israelis who have spoken openly and explicitly about this, like Michael Oren, the former Israeli ambassador to the United States and now a right wing member of Knesset, that American Jews who question Likud policies are turncoats and not really Jewish.”

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

“Israel has a difficult balance to strike in taking actions that many Israelis believe are at the core of Zionism and which also are believed to reduce near term security risks, but which also reduce the security of Jews in the Diaspora. Historically, Israeli Jews have subordinated the latter interest to the former one. This is unsurprising and unlikely to change.”

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

“I have been to Israel many times and for long periods, as a Zionist youth, diplomat, White House official, and academic. Israel is far too complicated a society and I’m far too complicated a person to summarize anything, let alone my evolving impressions over the years.”

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

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been in my hometown, but in 50 years ago it was quite ‘Jewish’ in the sense that most of our neighbors were religiously observant and synagogue goers.”