“I think it is safe to say that the creation of the State of Israel has become a very important contributing factor to the construction for Jewish peoplehood.”

The Interviewee – Dr Ilan Zvi Baron, Senior Lecturer in the School of Government and International Affairs and Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of Jewish Culture, Society and Politics, Durham University. 

I was born in Canada, grew up in the West Coast. I attended a Habonim Dror summer camp, and went to Israel with Habonim twice. I hold degrees from the University of Victoria, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. Last summer I was a Visiting Fellow at the Leonard Davis Institute for International Relations.

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

“Personally the answer is simple. My mother is from Israel, and I have family and good friends there. In this sense the importance of the country is not because it is the Jewish State but because of family ties and roots.

“Insofar as as Israel matters for the Jewish people in general, this is a difficult question because it matters differently to different people. But I think it is safe to say that the creation of the State of Israel has become a very important contributing factor to the construction for Jewish peoplehood. However, the content or what is understood by peoplehood can and does vary as befitting a diverse people.”

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

“Yes, but I would find it difficult to argue against the future existence of any state regardless of what I might think about their respective policies.”

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?

“In Canada my bar mitzvah was in a Conservative Synagogue, and I was also married by a Conservative Rabbi, although a very progressive one from a progressive community (the term conservative is a bit of a misnomer). In the UK, I have been most involved with Liberal Judaism, although I don’t know if I would affiliate myself with a specific denomination. I have at various times been involved with communities that are Conservative, Masorti, Reform in both the US and the UK, and Liberal Judaism in the UK.

“I believe that the dominance of the Orthodox denomination in Israel is a problem. I don’t like their dominance or their political influence, and I think it is a profound shame that the diversity of Judaism outside of Israel has not also found a place within Israel to the extent that it has in the Diaspora.“

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

“This depends by how you define responsibility. But if you mean do I feel accountable for Israel’s actions the answer is no. I don’t vote, pay taxes and have not served in the IDF. I’m no longer a citizen of Israel and as such I can’t claim the same kind of responsibility that a citizen could.

“But I have felt responsible to speak out when I feel that Israel is pursuing avenues that I disagree with, and which I believe are important enough to warrant speaking out. In this sense, I have felt morally responsible to highlight contradictions that come from Israeli policy that I believe threaten Israel. ”

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

“I think that they often don’t understand the diversity of Judaism in the Diaspora, that it is possible to have a fulfilling and secure life as a Jew in the Diaspora, or much about the Diaspora/Israel relationship.”

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

“One-sided. Israel tends to turn to the Diaspora for support when it needs it, but does not listen to Diaspora criticism in any meaningful way. However, the sociology of Diaspora life is very different from that in Israel and so Diaspora concerns can be easily dismissed by politicians who do not need to be held accountable by Diaspora Jews.“

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

“Potentially Yes, but not at the expense of helping others that Israel is able to help and any defense needs to be done in consultation with the local community. It is wrong if Israel thinks that it can speak for Diaspora Jews and act on their behalf without equal consultation.“

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

“Yes, many times, and for extended periods. My main impression is that Israel is a diverse country that is under a lot of strain. I worry for Israel’s future. It is not clear what unites the diversity of Israelis other than the Conflict, and I’m uncomfortable with the parochial character that defines Israel’s political culture.

“I very much enjoy my time in Israel. I love Israel’s diversity but I hate the racism and am concerned by the securitized/militarized character of the country.“

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

“Where I grew up there as a small but active Jewish community. There were not many kids my age. I remember the rabbi. He was a model of social justice, caring and intelligent.”

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

“Is the Jewish Diaspora important to you and why?”