“Well, if they ask for help they should be willing to help. If we are to live like a Jewish people, we all have responsibility for each other.”
The Interviewee – Rabbi Shlomo Ezagui, Director of Chabad House Lubavitch of Palm Beach Headquarters. The first Chabad House to Palm Beach sent by Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe. I am originally from one of the most traditional and most affiliated Jewish communities in the world – Montreal, Quebec, Canada. I’m living in Palm Beach Gardens Florida, probably one of the least affiliated Jewish communities in the world with less than ten percent of the Jewish community belonging to anything 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 importance is immense on a personal level and on a global level. The behavior, decisions, what Israel does and does not do, reflects and will impact Jews, our identity, and our standing in the world.”
Do you feel committed in some way to defend the future existence of Israel?
“I feel committed to the well-being, the safety and the strength of the Jewish people in Israel and anywhere Jewish people are in the world. Because Israel has such a large population of Jewish people, it must be defended physically, and in its image, everywhere and in all places.”
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?
“I affiliate with the age old traditions of Judaism, that in its merit, Jews still identify with the faith. The standards of Judaism must be clearly delineated and protected. Only within clear rules boundaries, Judaism will survive. All those groups of Jews who have compromised our age old traditions and standards, and have broken away with our past, have proven themselves unsuccessful in retaining Jewish affiliation for more than three generations. If there is to be a Jewish People, there needs to be clear boundaries as to what constitutes being a Jew.”
Do you feel morally responsible for Israel’s actions (such as its management of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict)?
“I do not feel morally responsible for the decisions made by others. However, as indicated earlier, as a Jew I am certainly responsible to voice my opinions, since the Land belongs to all Jews, and the blame for the decisions made in Israel eventually falls on the heads of all Jews worldwide.”
In your opinion, what is the main thing Israelis fail to understand about the reality of being Jewish outside of Israel?
“This is a misnomer question because, Israelis (who move out of Israel) in my experience only see opportunity and greater freedom outside of Israel. The Israelis who realize the value of living in Israel, don’t fail to understand anything. They actually understand the negatives and downside of moving out of Israel.“
How would you describe Israel’s policy (formally and in practice) regarding its relationship with the Diaspora?
“I don’t know that it has any policy in dealing with the diaspora besides trying to convince them to move, come and visit, and invest in Israel.”
In your opinion, does Israel have an obligation to defend and help Jewish communities in need?
“Yes. If we are to live like a Jewish people, we all have responsibility for each other.”
Have you ever been to Israel? if you have, can you summarize your impression from the Israeli reality?
“I have been there many times, and lived there for a while. My impression is that Israel as a State is not doing enough to educate Israelis regarding their Jewishness and inherent essential connection with the land of Israel. Many Israelis don’t understand who they are as Jews, and therefore don’t relate to the fundamentals that connect us with that tiny strip of land.”
Can you tell us a bit about the Jewish community in your hometown? Is it organized? Are there community activities?
“My community in which I have lived for almost thirty years is totally assimilated. We offer the Only Mikvah, and the only Traditional pre-school, and the only traditional summer camp. Over the years, others have made every effort to open the above, and, kosher restaurants, and, Judaica stores, and have been forced to close, because of no interest. I live in one of the, if not the most densely populated Jewish communities in the USA, with close to 250,000 Jews in a population of a little over a million people.”
Is there a question you feel should be added to the project’s questionnaire?
“What do you believe is the one, strongest suggestion that would strengthen Jewish affiliation and Jewish identity? My answer? A proper Jewish education for children.”
