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 you personally and to Jewish people in general?
“It makes me feel connected to something powerful, attractive and safe. I would guess it makes many Diaspora Jews feel safer.”
Do you feel committed in some way to defend the future existence of Israel?
“Not in combat.”
Do you affiliate yourself with a specific confessional division in Judaism? What is your view regarding the dominance of the Orthodox division in Israel religious establishment?
“No, I don’t. Dominance of the Orthodox division in Israel would not pose any problem from my point of view if there were no influence of the Orthodox community on rules that govern the whole community, or at least if other divisions had their influence too.”
Do you feel morally responsible for Israel’s actions (such as its management of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict)?
“No.”
In your opinion, what is the main thing Israelis fail to understand about the reality of being Jewish outside of Israel?
“The creative tension it brings about.”
How would you describe Israel’s policy (formally and in practice) regarding its relationship with the Diaspora?
“Too much disdain combined with too much encouragement to make an aliyah and too little interest in Jewish heritage.”
In your opinion, does Israel have an obligation to defend and help Jewish communities in need?
“No.”
Have you ever been to Israel? if you have, can you summarize your impression from the Israeli reality?
“Yes. Exciting, complex, familiar and at the same time strange.”
Can you tell us a bit about the Jewish community in your hometown? Is it organized? Are there community activities?
“Mostly children and grandchildren of Polish Jewish communists, combined with Jews from Israel, US, Belarus and Ukraine, with three or four large Georgian Jewish families present too.”
