Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism
“It is unconscionable that the Orthodox establishment rules over Jewish life in Israel still to this day. It belies the reality in Israel and among the Jewish people globally. As the largest denomination in Jewish life today, the Reform Movement must have full access to all the legal rights of the one Jewish state.” […]
Elizabeth Goldman, Senior at Northeastern University
“I am just back from a service of two years in the Iron Dome Unit of the IDF. Needless to say, Israel means a great deal to me. The reason why I drafted is because I feel that it was my duty as a Jew to defend the Jewish state.“ The Interviewee – Elizabeth Goldman (Born […]
Andrew Gordon-Kirsch, Master’s Degree student , New York, U.S
Andrew Gordon-Kirsch (1987), a Master’s Degree student at The New School, New York. Born in Berkeley, CA. Gordon-Kirsch has been active in several American-Jewish organizations such as: J Street, The Center for Jewish Nonviolence and Jewish Community Center of the East Bay. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state have to you personally […]
Binah Malka Stinnett, Project Coordinator at a Jewish Non-Profit, NYC
“Jews living outside of Israel are truly challenged when it comes to holding on and creating new Jewish identity. The question of who is a Jew outside of the state is a deeper question and has long term ramifications.” The Interviewee – Binah Malka Stinnett (Born 1978) Project Coordinator in a Jewish Non-Profit. Born in Long Beach, California […]
Mira Sucharov, Associate Professor, Carleton University, Ottawa
“I feel committed to ensuring that Israel is a democracy. In its current form, I think its democratic status is eroding.” The Interviewee – Mira Sucharov (Born 1972), Associate Professor of Political Science at Carleton University in Ottawa. Columnist, Haaretz, Jewish Daily Forward, Canadian Jewish News. I was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Attended Jewish day school through […]
Simcha Butchart, Teacher and Artist, Zimbabwe
“Out in the world when people see me, or speak to me, they do not just see an individual, they see me as part of the Jewish people. it is no longer ‘her’ but ‘they’, referring to the Jewish people.” The Interviewee – Simcha Butchart (Born 1989) Teacher/Artist. I was born in Harare, the capital city […]
Shylee Dagani, Student and Litigation Paralegal, Sydney, Australia
“A Jewish state means that wherever I go, however disconnected from my heritage I may be in ordinary, daily life, there’s always a place to come back to and instantly feel at home, feel safe.” The Interviewee– Shylee Dagani, Law student + Psychology student + Litigation Paralegal. An Australian born and raised Jewish girl, born in 1994 and […]
Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation, Boston (photo: Noam Galai)
“I feel connected to Israel, both as an Israeli and as an American-Jew, but I believe that Israelis need to be given the independence to elect their own government and to decide the future that they think is best for them.” The Interviewee – Jay Ruderman is the President of the Ruderman Family Foundation, which […]
David Werdiger, Tech Entrepreneur, Melbourne
“There is a vibrant, authentic Jewish life outside of the State of Israel, and one does not have to live in Israel to lead a full life as a Jew.“ The Interviewee – David Werdiger (Born 1964), Tech Entrepreneur, author, public speaker, and advisor. Lives in Melbourne, Australia In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the […]
Rabbi Justin Kerber, Hospital Chaplain, St. Louis
“I do my best to defend Israel’s interests by speaking up for them when I’m able to, in speech or in writing, and simply to be the best informal ambassador I am able to be.“ The Interviewee – Rabbi Justin Kerber (Born 1969), BCC, Chaplain. I grew up in Iowa City, Iowa, now living in St. Louis, […]
Rami Tal, Student, Sydney
“I feel connected to Israel in the way that whatever they do effects Jews in the Diaspora. Whatever happens to Israel, I feel. whatever Israel does, I feel.” The Interviewee -Rami Tal (Born 1994), Commerce and Psychology Student, Sydney, Australia. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state have to you […]
Rabbi Joshua Rabin, Director of Kehilla Enrichment, USCJ
“Israel is, to use a sports metaphor, the Jewish people’s team. I feel a need to care about it, and I refuse to abandon it, even if I am not wild about everything Israel does. That’s what it means to be a covenantal relationship.” The Interviewee – Rabbi Joshua Rabin (Born 1984), Director of Kehilla […]
Shira Sebban, Writer and Editor, Sydney
“It is much easier to be Jewish in Israel than elsewhere. In the Diaspora, we have to make much more of an effort to educate ourselves and our children, to live an active Jewish life and to be part of the broader Jewish community.” The Interviewee – Shira Sebban, writer and editor; long-time board member […]
Jonathan Arkush, President Board of Deputies of British Jews
“It is a privilege both to celebrate and to defend Jewish life outside Israel, as it is inside the country.” The Interviewee – Jonathan Arkush (Born 1954), President Board of Deputies of British Jews. Born in London. I live in a large Jewish community in Hertfordshire, on the edge of London. It is a great privilege to have […]
James Hendricks, Broker, San Francisco
“Do you believe a Jew must be on the Rabinate’s approved list of Judaism’s and cultures in order to make Aliya or marry?” The Interviewee – James Hendricks (Born 1972), Broker. I was born in Chicago. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state have to you personally and to Jewish […]
Kielah Tiel Barton, Working in Risk and Fraud, Tel Aviv
“I made the executive decision to uproot all that I know, to move to the unknown. I love this country that is automatically tethered to my spirit. Without this place, how can ones heart beat?” The Interviewee – Kielah Tiel Barton (Born 1989), Working in Risk and Fraud. I was born in New York. I hope to […]
Rabbi Rachel G. Greengrass, Miami
“Israel is a guarantee that we will always have a place to call home; a place that will accept and embrace us. This is especially powerful in a world where antisemitism is on the rise.” The Interviewee – Rabbi Rachel G. Greengrass (Born 1980), born in Ft. Wayne Indiana. Currently live in Miami, Florida where I serve […]
Hannah Spiro, Student, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Pennsylvania
“There are so many ways to be Jewish, and there are so many ways to be religiously and spiritually Jewish, that don’t involve Orthodoxy and that don’t involve living in the Jewish state.” The Interviewee – Hannah Spiro (Born 1990), student at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Wyncote, Pennsylvania. Born in Washington, DC. In your opinion, […]
Ben Swartz, National Chairman of the South African Zionist Federation
“Often the views of Israel are crystallised around ‘World Israel’ and ‘World America’ and the relevance of other communities of the world are marginalised. This is a big error.” The Interviewee – Ben Swartz (Born 1972), National Chairman of the South African Zionist Federation. Born in Johannesburg. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the […]
Ralphy Jhirad, Co-chair, Friends of RAMBAM, Mumbai
“Israelis fail to understand that the Jewish Community’s presence in the Diaspora is very important and they have to build these diaspora communities for making it’s unique position in the world.” The Interviewee – Ralphy Jhirad, Co-chair, Friends of RAMBAM in India and Managing Trustee of Bene Israel Heritage Museum and Genealogical Research Centre. I was born in Mumbai […]
Rabbi Scott T. Aaron, Chicago
“It is a fuzzy line sometimes between when Israel acts on behalf of its own citizens or when it acts on behalf of the Jewish people, and Israel is still a young nation by historical standards with lots to work out about its own identity and its own place in the world.” The Interviewee – […]
Rabbi Joshua Weinberg, President, ARZA, NY
“I want for Israel to maintain the moral upper hand. (not always easy), and I want to be able to be proud of Israel most of the time. I usually am proud, and definitely understand the complexity of this issue and still push for Israel to be morally responsible.“ The Interviewee – Rabbi Joshua Weinberg […]
Mignon Yankelowitz, Western Cape, South Africa
Mignon Yankelowitz, (1976), born in Pietermaritzburg in South Africa, Today lives in Western Cape, South Africa Yankelowitz was born to a Jewish father and did a full orthodox conversion in 2002-2005. Holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) – Accounting from University of Pretoria. In the years 2008 – 2010 she held the position of Accounting […]
Arek Dybel, Creative Director at POLIN, Warsaw
“Anytime I am in Israel people encourage me to make aliyah, so I think for most Israelis the one and only place for Jews is the land of Israel, and actually it makes me happy every time I hear it.” The Interviewee – Arek Dybel, Creative Director of Audiovisual Content of Core Exhibition of the Museum […]
Rafi Addlestone, Senior Strategy Consultant, London
“The diaspora should be better represented in the Israeli political system.” The Interviewee – Rafi Addlestone (Born 1986), Senior Strategy Consultant. Born in Leeds, now live in London. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state have to you personally and to Jewish people in general? “Extreme.” Do you feel […]
Tami Addlestone, Communities Manager for JNF UK, London
“They don’t understand the impact Israel’s decisions have on Jews within the diaspora. Every time something happens in Israel, Antisemitism rises dramatically. “ The Interviewee – Tami Addlestone (Born 1989), Communities Manager for JNF UK. Born and raised in Leeds, now living in London. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish […]
Rachel Adler, Student, Sydney, Australia
“I was brought up religious orthodox but I’m more spiritual now. I feel we should all be equal with each other and that we should all respect our different roles in the community.” The Interviewee – Rachel Adler, Journalism Student, Macleay College. Lives in Sydney, Australia, family of four including myself. In your opinion, what importance, […]
Prof. Ephraim Isaac, World known Scholar of ancient Semitic Languages & Civilization, Princeton, NJ, U.S
“The problem that most Jews in and out of Israel suffer from is ignorance. When Jews in and out of Israel look at Ethiopian Jews and say – ‘you do not look Jewish’, they are ignorant.” The Interviewee – Professor Ephraim Isaac, BA; BD; Ph.D.; D.H.L. (hon.); Litt. D (hon.). An Ethiopian Jew, Dr. Isaac holds […]
Jay Michael Ipson, Holocaust History Lecturer, Richmond, Virginia
“Antisemitism is on the rise all around the world, only in Israel can a Jew with a stremel walk proudly with his head held high.” The Interviewee- Jay Michael Ipson (Jakob Ipp) I am a Holocaust Survivor of the Kovno Ghetto-Concentration Camp. I am now a Holocaust Lecturer. I was born in 1935, Kovno, Lithuania. I was […]
Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Member of the Liberal Judaism leadership, London
“The idea that Judaism, in a religious sense, belongs only to the Orthodox misunderstands the history of Judaism and does a disservice to the State.” Rabbi Charley Baginsky (1978), Chair of Liberal Judaism Biennial Committee at Liberal Judaism. Born in Watford, UK. Made Aliyah in 1999. Serve as a Rabbi in Kingston Liberal Synagogue. In your opinion, what […]
Neer Korn, Social researcher & director of The Korn Group, Sydney, Australia
“I sometimes consider the time Israel’s politicians make available to meet with groups of visiting diaspora Jews on various program, something they do out of a sense of respect and duty.” The Interviewee – Neer Korn, Social researcher & director of The Korn Group, resides in Sydney, Australia. I was in born in Haifa, Israel in 1966. […]
Mordreck Maeresera, President of the Harare lemba Synagogue, Harare, Zimbabwe
“I am a Jew and belong to the Jewish nation and i am responsible for Israel’s actions, in Palestine and elsewhere. I am part of ‘nefesh Yehudim’ and therefore part of and responsible of the actions Israel makes on behalf of Jews everywhere.” The Interviewee – Mordreck Maeresera (Born 1975), president of the Harare lemba […]
Michael Levi, Owner and CEO at LEVI Corp, Ancona, Italy
“There should be more relations between the diaspora and Israel. Nowadays in Europe the financial crisis is affecting the Jews. Antisemitism is also a serious issue. Diaspora should be considered as part of Israel.” Michael Levi (Born 1969) Owner and CEO at LEVI Corp, a Company in the Oil&Gas Business. Born in Yugoslavia. Doctor Engineer, Mechanical. […]
Gary Shternfeld, Banker, Sydney, Australia
“Jewish life outside of Israel is different to Jewish life inside of Israel. Many Jews are proud national citizens of the diaspora, and have allegiance to these countries ahead of Israel.” The Interviewee– Gary Shternfeld (1994), Banker, Sydney, Australia. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state have to you personally […]
Guershon Nduwa, President of the Black Jewish community in Europe and Africa, Paris, France
Guershon Nduwa (1964) i am the president of the Black Jewish community in Europe and Africa and the surrounding region (FJN). I’m Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, born in Kinshasa. I went to Israel in 1988 to study Hebrew Civilization. I was welcomed and embraced by those i met in Israel. Now living […]
Rufus Greenbaum, Retired, London, UK
Rufus Greenbaum, Born 1941 in Brighton, I worked in the Electronics industry, now – retired. My wife Helen & I have 2 sons who are married with wonderful wives and children. We live in Stanmore in NW London. UK. I was active in UK Hasbara from 2001-2006. Stopped overnight in 2006 because of the stupidity of the Israeli government […]
Marcin Maciej Grynberg, Associate Professor, Warsaw, Poland
“I feel shame, a terrible shame. From my point of view treatment of Palestinians is like apartheid. I’m from the Second Generation and I know what I mean.” Marcin Maciej Grynberg (Born 1970) Associate Professor at The Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Warsaw, Poland. Born in Warsaw, Graduated from The University of Warsaw. Former post-doc at The […]
Susan Bernsen Ostrov, Boutique Owner, Highland Park, Illinois, U.S
Susan Bernsen Ostrov (1963, born in Highland Park.) owner of Over the Top Boutique at Highland Park, Illinois. Ostrov participated in a year-long fellowship of the American Jewish World Service (AJWS) she also held the position of Associate Director of Outreach and Education, Midwest Region in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and several other positions in the Jewish community, such as: Executive Director at American Jewish […]
Antony Polonsky, Emeritus Professor of Holocaust Studies, Brandeis University, London, UK
Antony Polonsky (1940) emeritus professor of Holocaust Studies, Brandeis University. Chief Historian, POLIN museum of the history of Polish Jews, Warsaw. I was born in Johannesburg South Africa. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state have to you personally and to Jewish people in general? “I think the continued […]
Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft, CEO & Spiritual Leader, African Jewish Congress
Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft, CEO & Spiritual Leader, African Jewish Congress. Rabbi Silberhaft was born in Jerusalem in 1967 and grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state has to you personally and to Jewish people in general? “The existence of the State of […]
Shai Franklin, CEO of Your Global Strategy, New York, U.S
Shai Franklin, CEO of Your Global Strategy and Senior Fellow, Institute on Religion and Public Policy. 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 foundational to the current incarnation of Jewish identity.” Do you feel committed in […]
Jonathan Woocher, President, Lippman Kanfer Foundation for Living Torah, New Jersey, U.S
“Israel and its people are much better than its politicians and political system. I am impressed over and over again by the initiative, determination, creativity, and deep caring of so many Israelis” The Interviewee- Jonathan Woocher (Born 1946) President, Lippman Kanfer Foundation for Living Torah. Grew up in suburban Long Island, attended Jewish summer camp, chose […]
Witold Wrzosinski, Founder of the Foundation for Documentation of Jewish Cemeteries, Warsaw, Poland
Witold Wrzosinski (Born 1980), founder and co-director of the Foundation for Documentation of Jewish Cemeteries, as well as founder and director of Avanim, Genealogy Research Services and Heritage Tours. Born in Warsaw, graduate of the Jewish Studies Department, University of Warsaw. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state have to […]
Arseniy Finberg, member of the Jewish community of Kiev, Ukraine
Arseniy Finberg (1982, Kiev), member of the Jewish community of Kiev. Finberg owns a touristic company and defines himself as a Ukraine Social activist. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state have to you personally and to Jewish people in general? “Shelter, Asylum, the idea that whatever and wherever happens […]
Marjorie N. Feld, Associate Professor of History, Babson College, Massachusetts, U.S
Marjorie N. Feld (born 1971), Associate Professor of History, Babson College, Massachusetts, U.S. Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Prof. Feld received her Ph.D. in History at Brandeis University. Her teaching and research, in Babson College, include U.S. social, labor, and women’s/gender history, along with the history of global human rights movements. In your opinion, what importance, if any, […]
Jonathan Sarna, Professor of American Jewish History, Brandeis University, Massachusetts, U.S
“Just as I take pride in all of Israel’s achievements, so I am distraught when it falls short. I view Israel as I would a member of my family: the love is unconditional, but I prefer to get “naches” from the state than to have to answer for its mistakes.” Jonathan Sarna (born 1955), Joseph H. […]
Cheryl Greenberg, Paul E. Raether Distinguished Professor of History, Trinity College, Connecticut, U.S
Cheryl Greenberg, (Born 1958) Paul E. Raether Distinguished Professor of History, Trinity College. Resides in Hartford Connecticut. I grew up in several places, mostly in Westchester county, NY (right outside NYC). Grew up (pretty much) Reform, now Conservative. Atheist, politically engaged in both Jewish community and broader American community. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the […]
Hasia Diner, Professor of Hebrew and Judaic Studies and History, New York University, U.S
Hasia Diner, Professor of Hebrew and Judaic Studies and History, New York University. I was born in Milwaukee; Hebrew speaker, from an immigrant Zionist family; religiously observant but liberal; Jewish life was the core of my existence. Graduate of Habonim, the Labor Zionist Youth movement. In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence […]
