You’re also involved with the English-language theater. Do you feel Anglos contribute considerably to cultural life in Israel?
I feel that Anglos contribute to cultural life in Israel but many are discouraged because it is more difficult to make money in a limited market. One of the reason I opened my comedy club was to prove that an Anglo can open a small business, even a cultural one, in Israel and still succeed.
Finally, do you think English-speaking Olim successfully integrate into Israeli society? Have many Anglos failed to integrate? Plaese be specific.
One of the reasons I worked with NESTO is because I feel it is important for Anglos to integrate into Israeli society. Integration doesn’t mean you need to give up on speaking English at home or whatever Anglo comforts one is used to. To me integration happens when the person defines themselves Israeli by their own standards, whatever they might be. I think there have been many Anglos who failed to integrate, although in most cases their children are able to. I really believe that serving in the IDF makes you Israeli. By my definition of Israeli, I don’t know any person who served his country who doesn’t feel that way.
A big reason why I started “Knesset Jeremy” was to help Anglos learn about the political process by giving them information in English on every bill and every MK’s speech. I hope this will lead to Anglos learning more about the Israeli political process and help them take an active part and integrate.