“Anytime I am in Israel people encourage me to make aliyah, so I think for most Israelis the one and only place for Jews is the land of Israel, and actually it makes me happy every time I hear it.”

The Interviewee – Arek Dybel, Creative Director of Audiovisual Content of Core Exhibition of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews – POLIN. Lives in Warsaw, Poland.

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

“For me personally and for all Jewish people it is of high importance. It is our legacy and our security. Israel is the only country representing democratic values in the middle-east area, and therefore it is very significant for diaspora Jews who are facing difficulties even in older democratic countries of Europe. In the current situation Europe becomes hostage of its own democratic liberal values.”

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

“Yes, especially in supporting the no hate speech movement in situations where a lot of general opinions, especially in the social network area very easily get the situation of Israel wrong, spreading disinformation and making use of hate speech against Israel.”

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 feel close to conservative and reformed religious stream in Judaism, but at the same time I treat the Orthodox and Hasidic movement with big respect, especially for their long tradition on Polish land, where my ancestors were part of it. But the times, they are changing and we all should cooperate introducing dialogue facing the nowadays reality. The Torah was given to the Jewish people in the desert for a certain reason, but nowadays the desert is to be understood more symbolically and us living surrounded by skyscrapers, free market and social media is another way of life that we should be aware of, and even the Torah is reminding us in some passages to never forget to keep track of changing times.”

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

“We should never forget being human beings. But we should also don’t forget to raise our own children in a secure and safe place.”

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

“Actually, Israeli people I am having contact with are all aware of the situation of us the diaspora Jews living outside of Eretz Yisrael. On the one hand we are part of the same, but on the other hand we live in different realities with its own positive as negative aspects. Anytime I am in Israel people encourage me to make aliyah, so I think for most Israelis the one and only place for Jews is the land of Israel, and actually it makes me happy every time I hear it.”

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

“Formally I have no knowledge if something like a policy towards the diaspora exists, but practically I think the awareness is bigger than it maybe was few years ago. The first step is consciousness that something like the diaspora still exists and that is positive.

“I think the most important policy is, that Israel has a good relation with the governments of those countries, where diaspora Jews live. The relation between Israeli government and Polish government is one of the best in the world, what automatically is good for Jews living in Poland.”

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

“Sometimes even a small gesture is enough to make the Jewish communities strong enough to fight for themselves. The feeling of having support gives a lot of power to be a safe community.”

Have you ever been to Israel? if you have, can you summarize your impression from the Israeli reality?

“Yes, I am trying to be twice a year in Israel. Israeli reality seems hard for lots of professions, but it is a big opportunity for young ambitious people working in high tech. People are happy when they can live there and this is what motivates them to find new ways to develop their careers. It is a beautiful country and I personally feel very connected to it.”

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

“Our community in Warsaw is very small but very familiar and well organized. There are activities for young and old of any kind. On the one hand it is like living in a Jewish ‘bubble’ where everybody knows everybody, on the other hand it becomes hard to find a wife.”