“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. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University. Born in Philadelphia, PA, the First American-born in his family. Raised in New York and Boston.

Attended Brandeis University, the Boston Hebrew College, Merkaz HaRav Kook in Jerusalem, and Yale University, where he obtained his doctorate in 1979. Dr. Sarna is married to Professor Ruth Langer, and they have two children, Aaron and Leah.

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

“Israel has long been centrally important to me, and it is likewise of central importance to the Jewish people. Israel, by its very existence, has saved more lives than all other Jewish values. Israel has also beacon to all new and developing countries, many of which are jealous of its success. Israel is not perfect – nor is the United States – but its accomplishments in 68 years are astonishing.”

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

“Yes.”

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

“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.”

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

“Zionism assumed that Jews are persecuted everywhere and only safe in Israel. Very hard for Israelis to accept the idea that America is different in this regard. Nor do Israelis realize that the diaspora has been utterly transformed; that Jews are overwhelmingly a first-world people; and that 85% of Jews live in Israel and North America.”

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

“There are hundred of members of the Association for Israel Studies, who study and interpret Israel, professionally, in major universities in North America. There are scarcely ten people in Israel who study and interpret North American Jewry (or even the US as a whole). There is something very wrong about that disparity, and it reflects on Israel’s inability to understand US Jewry or to appropriately respond to its needs.”

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

“Within limits. In free countries, must defer to the local Jewish community.”

Have you ever been to Israel?

“My first trip was in 1965 and I have been back countless times, several times for a whole year. I think I understand both countries.”

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

“Boston is an organized Jewish community with many activities.”

Is there a question you feel should be added to the project’s questionnaire?

“What effect will the continued intransigence of the Chief Rabbinate in Israel in re non-Orthodox Jews have on diaspora funding to Israel?”