Louis Kemp, a close friend and confidant of Bob Dylan, made Aliyah this month through Nefesh B’Nefesh, in cooperation with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, and JNF-USA.
Kemp, 82, lived in Los Angeles and grew up in the small town of Duluth, Minnesota, with his best friend from the local Jewish community–who would later become the legendary singer, Bob Dylan. The two met at summer camp when they were 11 years old and kept in touch over the years, with Dylan even serving as the best man at Kemp’s wedding. In 2019, Kemp published Dylan and Me, a memoir that recounts his childhood with the famous singer. He also produced Dylan’s successful concert tour, Rolling Thunder Revue, in 1975.
In addition to being a writer, Kemp managed his family’s fishing company, The Louis Kemp Seafood Company, which became one of the largest fishing and seafood businesses in the US. He later sold the company to entrepreneur Oscar Mayer, founder of a subsidiary of Heinz Kraft.
Kemp has been very involved in the Jewish community in Los Angeles, where he was a founding member of Chabad in Pacific Palisades, California. He also founded the Discovery program, Aish HaTorah, which has reached more than half a million participants. Now, in light of the current situation, Kemp is planning to establish an “oasis” in the US for people affected by the war—wounded, kidnapped, evacuees, and orphans–with the intent to fly groups to Orlando for healing and processing programs. He also plans to write another book about his Aliyah experience and life in Israel during wartime.
Kemp is the father of six children, one of whom has already made Aliyah and lives in Ra’anana. He also has 11 grandchildren. Kemp encourages the rest of his children to make Aliyah and hopes they will join him soon. When asked why he chose to make Aliyah at this time, he told Ynet, “ Especially now, I want to be with my people and stand by them.”
Did you inform Bob Dylan of your decision to make Aliyah?
“I send him messages. He knows I’m making Aliyah, but he hasn’t responded. I keep him updated on everything.”
Do you think he’s happy?
“I think so, because in the ‘80s, I talked about possibly buying a house in the Galilee, but unfortunately, I didn’t do it. He has warm feelings towards Israel. I’m sure he was very concerned about Israel on October 7th. He’s probably not surprised that I’m making Aliyah because I travel to Israel often. He knows I have a strong Jewish identity, even before I became religious. But even prior to that, I was always a proud Jew, always wearing a Star of David necklace. I’ve always identified with Israel. I sent Dylan pictures of my house in Mamilla and wrote to him: ‘You have a beautiful place if you come here.’ He’s like a sponge; he absorbs things and takes time to process them.”
Are you concerned about moving to Israel during a war?
“It actually encouraged me to come sooner. My people are under attack. The country that I love is under attack. I wanted to show solidarity, and I felt that the best way to do so was by moving to Israel.”
How did your children react?
“They were very supportive. I brought them to Israel when they were very young, and they love Israel. They said, ‘Dad, we know you’ve always wanted to move, and we respect your decision.’ I think that ultimately they will come here. Each one is in a different place; they have young children, but everyone will come to visit me. My 22-year-old son has already come and spent a week with me. I hope that, in the end, we will all live in Israel.”
What do you think about the rise in Antisemitism in the US, and have you experienced it?
“I grew up in Minnesota with Bob. It’s a very special place – the middle class. None of us experienced Antisemitism. When I moved to Los Angeles, I didn’t experience it either. But it doesn’t surprise me that such people exist. It’s a small minority, but unfortunately, it’s become a very loud minority. They organize demonstrations that attract Antisemitic people.”
How did your friends react to your decision to make Aliyah?
“When I told my friends that I was moving to Israel, some were shocked and said, ‘You’re going to Israel during a war.’ They asked, ‘Do you have family there?’ I said, ‘Yes, I have millions of relatives, including a daughter and four grandchildren.’ It took them some time to understand, and then they smiled. They understood me. That’s how I see it. I feel like I’m reuniting with my family. I bought a one-way ticket.”