“Israel is my home away from home, the home of my soul and I feel that Israelis are all part of my extended family. Every time I arrive, I feel like I’m coming home and there is great gratification that I am now part of the majority people.”
The Interviewee – Ronni Strongin (Born 1961) Vice President, Marketing and Communications, American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
I was born in Flushing, NY. My family moved to Huntington, Long Island when I was 9. I still live in Long Island in Levittown. I’m one of 4 children. My oldest brother is a rabbi and Jewish history professor. My husband is Israeli, originally from Cochin, India. We have two children: 26 and 19. I have worked in the Jewish community for most of my career.
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 existence of Israel to me and the Jewish people is vital; it’s a matter of ensuring the existence and survival of the Jewish people and the answer to persecution.”
Do you feel committed in some way to defend the future existence of Israel?
“100 percent.”
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 am a member of a Conservative synagogue, though I lean more to Reconstructionist. I despise the Orthodox domination of religious matters in Israel. This must end to preserve the democratic nature of Israel. More and more young people in Israel are deciding not to marry just because they don’t want to deal with the establishment.“
Do you feel morally responsible for Israel’s actions (such as its management of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
“Yes, I do. At the same time, I recognize that I don’t live there and it’s easy to be an armchair Zionist.”
In your opinion, what is the main thing Israelis fail to understand about the reality of being Jewish outside of Israel?
“That you can have a rich Jewish life, observing rituals, holidays, the Sabbath, studying Torah and Talmud without subscribing to the Orthodox all or nothing outlook. Being Orthodox doesn’t make someone a better Jew or ‘more of a Jew’ than me.”
How would you describe Israel’s policy (formally and in practice) regarding its relationship with the Diaspora?
“I think Israel thinks it needs the Diaspora less and less. There’s a growing feeling that ‘you’re not an Israeli citizen; you don’t vote; don’t tell me what’s wrong with our country; all Jews should live in Israel and learn Hebrew; and we don’t need your money any more.’ I feel Israel is becoming more isolationist, more fearful of the ‘other’ and more fearful in general.”
Does it feel also like Israel is disavowing it’s commitment to the diaspora? meaning -we don’t need you and we won’t necessary be there for you when you need us?
“I wouldn’t put it as strongly as that. I do believe that Israel and Israelis know that the U.S. is the closest ally it has and definitely needs and wants support of American Jews –political, moral and financial support, but less financial. At the same time, there’s a greater feeling of, ‘well you can’t understand because you don’t live here and if you’re not with me you’re against me.’
“But I have no doubt that the Israeli community would jump to our aid and all Jews’ aid in the Diaspora if needed and will always welcome Jews from all over the world, such as what’s happening in France and Britain. Frankly, if Israel doesn’t want only Orthodox Jews to make aliyah, then it needs to engage more with the non-Orthodox, more liberal-minded American Jewish community, particularly the youth.”
In your opinion, does Israel have an obligation to defend and help Jewish communities in need?
“Yes, yes, yes! If not, who will? If not now, when?”
Have you ever been to Israel? if you have, can you summarize your impression from the Israeli reality?
“I have been to Israel more times that I can count. And in my professional capacity I am there two to four times a year. My husband is Israeli. Israel is my home away from home, the home of my soul and I feel that Israelis are all part of my extended family. Every time I arrive, I feel like I’m coming home and there is great gratification that I am now part of the majority people. HOWEVER, I could never live there.
“Israel is growing more and more like a Middle East country and isolationist. There are good reasons for it: Anti-Semitism is growing; Europe and the U.N. are grossly biased toward the Palestinians and the Arab world. BUT, as a result, they are less open to peace and are buying the government’s tactics of fear and victimization.
“It’s a hard life; it’s chaotic. Lack of manners and tact, while perhaps trivial, and always being on crisis mode, never planning ahead, is actually hard to live with and is even often difficult in day-to-day business relationships.”
What was your best experience of Israeli culture in the past year (book, music, TV, movie, theater etc.)?
“Israel makes fantastic intimate movies that examine relationships and society in a way that is not seen in American film or perhaps in any other foreign films. Their music is also unique and reflects the melting pot of Israeli culture. Israeli art fantastically scrutinizes Israeli life and is a wonderful result of a democratic, multi-cultural nation.”
Can you tell us a bit about the Jewish community in your hometown? Is it organized? Are there any community activities?
“I live in a town with a very small Jewish community, however, the greater area has a large Jewish population. I live in Long Island and work in New York City. Jews of all stripes — secular, intermarried, Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, and all forms of those are nearby. The Jews I interact with most are modern, liberal.”
