“Israel is the spiritual and intellectual spark for Diaspora Jews. This means providing opportunities for visits and study and promoting cultural missions from the Land to the lands.”

The Interviewee – Rabbi David L Kline (Born 1935), I was born in Asheville. My grandfather in Budapest was Neologue, my father was a Reform rabbi. On my mothers side I am fifth generation Reform. My grandchildren are Jewish.

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 Jewish state, its early society, the Hebrew University all played major parts in my education and personal development. I feel at home there. Neither the conditions nor the attitudes/values of the 1950s have lasted in the Jewish state but I hope that the Jewish people of the present and future will find in the state vitality, inspiration, and a home.“

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

“Yes.”

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?

“Reform, Domination by the Orthodox is an unavoidable result of coalition politics and the establishment of Judaism as state religion. Religion and state power are always a dangerous mix. Narrow definition of Judaism is short sighted in history and destructive to the spirit.”

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?

“Judaism can flourish in Diaspora.“

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

“Israel is the spiritual and intellectual spark for Diaspora Jews. This means providing opportunities for visits and study and promoting cultural missions from the Land to the lands.“

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

“Yes.”

Have you ever been to Israel? if you have, can you summarize your impressions from Israel?

“In the 1950s Israelis showed me the meaning and purpose for individual effort in building the state.“

Can you tell us a bit about the Jewish community in your hometown?

“Two of my hometowns have been small southern towns from which the Jews gradually abandoned. My present hometown is Brooklyn, where I have every opportunity to study and teach Torah, to function as a Jew.”

If you could ask the Israeli readers of this project a question, what would it be?

“Is the threat to continued existence of the Jewish state real?”