Resources and articles on Zionism Revisited
Part III: I am Not in the Radical Right
An interview with Prof. Ruth Gavison: This is the third part of a three part series, in which Prof. Gavison expresses her thoughts and concerns about the future of the Zionist enterprise - the State of Israel. [Full article...]By: Shahar Ilan
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Part II: I am Not in the Radical Right
An interview with Prof. Ruth Gavison: This is the second part of a three part series, in which Prof. Gavison expresses her thoughts and concerns about the future of the Zionist enterprise - the State of Israel. [Full article...]By: Shahar Ilan
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Part I: I'm Not in the Radical Right
An interview with Prof. Ruth Gavison: This is the first part of a three part series, in which Prof. Gavison expresses her thoughts and concerns about the future of the Zionist enterprise - the State of Israel. [Full article...]By: Shahar Ilan
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Breaking the Myth of Semantics: Post-Zionism Doesn't Exist
"The arguments called "post-Zionist" have various aspects - not only political but also cultural. They view Zionism as a colonial phenomenon, not as a national movement that is contending with another, Palestinian, national movement over its claim to the same territory. Some of those who are called "post-Zionists" go even further in their argument that the very existence of a Jewish people is a "narrative" that was invented in the 19th century, and that the Jews are at base a religious community." [Full article...]By: Shlomo Avineri
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
60 Years Later and the Question still Alive: Why All Jews Need a Jewish State -- Wherever We Live
"We don’t ask if Canadians need Canada, if Americans need the United States, if the Dutch need the Netherlands." And what about the Jewish people? Why is the question posed and what is the answer? [Full article...]By: Gil Troy
Israel > Advocacy
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Here's something for ME: Taking Zionism Personally
In an era where so many causes are competing for our attention, Zionism offers a fresh and comprehensive "ism" that can satisfy both our individual and global concerns. [Full article...]By: Gil Troy
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
From Dreams to Deeds - Herzl's vision and the Challenges of Zionism in the Future: The Zionist Mandate Today
This essay is an attempt to respond to the question posed by the 19th century Hebrew author, M. Z. Fireberg – “L’an? – Whereto“? Where are we heading? What will be the conditions of Jewish life in the middle of the 21st century? What will be the destiny and character of Israel and world Jewry? For purposes of this article, written as the 35th World Zionist Congress approaches, what challenges confront Zionism? How shall the Zionist Movement best fulfill its responsibilities? [Full article...]By: Richard G. Hirsch
Zionism > Zionism and the Diaspora
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
An additional viewpoint on Herzl's legacy: Is Theodor Herzl Resting in Peace
Sometimes I feel that I am one of the last disciples of Binyamin Zeev Herzl, one of those disciples who has not yet given up on the Jewish State as a civilized, progressive, secular, tolerant state that respects all its citizens and their basic rights. [Full article...]By: Yossi Sarid
Israel
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
A Question of Religion and State: Had Herzl Been Granted More Time
I would like to believe that had he been given more time, he would have been convinced that though religion should be separated from politics, under absolutely no circumstances should religion and those who bear its flag be separated from the state and the national life of the people. [Full article...]By: Rabbi Israel Meir Lau
Zionism > Religious Zionism
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
The Imperative of Fashoning Israel as an Exemplary Society: Positive Zionism
The moral code that we have been commanded to live by is not only a guide for individual behavior; far more profoundly, it is also the blueprint for building a society “in the place that I have prepared for you“. [Full article...]By: David Breakstone
Israel
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Still much to be achieved: Herzl and the Challenge to Anti-Semitism
Herzl was far too “Eurocentric“ and secular-minded to imagine that Zionism might provoke the reawakening of fundamentalist Islam and turn Israel into a prime target of Jihad. As a liberal cosmopolitan humanist, he too readily believed in the inexorable march of material progress, science and technology which were bound to overcome fanaticism, barbarism, and superstition. [Full article...]By: Robert S. Wistrich
Anti-Semitism
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
So much said and so much yet to be said: Historiographical Issues in Conveying Herzl’s Legacy
Within the history of Zionism itself every ideological and political stream had its own Herzl, always designed in its own image. [Full article...]By: Gideon Shimoni
People > 1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
Education
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Jewish History > 1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
Our Challenge: The Zionist Mission
This is the speech of Haim Hayet, Head of the World Zionist Organization Department for Hagshama, during his appearance at the Young Zionist Leadership Conference of January 2005, held in Miami, Florida. [Full article...]By: Haim Hayet
Aliyah InfoBase > Tachlis - Aliyah Advice from and for Olim
Israel > Advocacy
Israel > Teaching Israel
Jewish History > 1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
Jewish History > 1948-Today: Modern Zionist Age
Judaism > Jewish Identity
Media and the Press
People > 1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
People > 1948-Today: Modern Zionist Age
Zionism > Who is a Zionist?
Zionism > Zionism and the Diaspora
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Voices from the Past: Richard Gottheil: The Aims of Zionism
In a peroration of a speech given in New York City on November 1 1898, Dr. Richard Gottheil defines the ultimate aims of Zionism. Then a professor of Semitic Languages and Rabbinical Literature at Columbia University in New York City, as well as President and co-founder of the American Federation of Zionists, Dr. Gottheil demonstrates how the dangers of assimilation are reconcilable with the Zionist cause. [Full article...]By: Richard Gottheil
Jewish History > 1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
Jewish History > 1948-Today: Modern Zionist Age
People > 1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
People > 1948-Today: Modern Zionist Age
Zionism > Who is a Zionist?
Zionism > Zionism and the Diaspora
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Voices From the Past: Ber Borochov: Herbraismus Militans
In Israel and in the rest of the Jewish world, the passionate fight between Hebrew and Yiddish is sometimes easily forgotten. Today we look back nearly 100 years, to a time when the future dominance of Hebrew over Yiddish was not at all certain. Ber Borochov, early Zionist and co-founder of the Poale Zion Party (later to split into the Mapai Party and the Mapam Party), demonstrates the drama of the debate in an article published in 1913. [Full article...]By: Dov Ber Borochov
Jewish History > 1789-1860: Haskala (Emancipation)
Jewish History > 1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
Judaism > Jewish Identity
Judaism > Jewish Languages
People > 1789-1860: Haskala (Emancipation)
People > 1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
Zionism > Zionism and the Diaspora
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Zionist Biography: A Dove Among Hawks: Moshe Sharett -the Political Tragedy of an Israeli Leader
Moderation or escalation -these were the two basic alternatives in the entwined domains of foreign and defense policies confronting Israel's leadership immediately after the historic and bloody victory in the War of Independence in 1948-1949, and that have confronted government after government unceasingly to this very day. It was the choice of history that these two contradictory and fateful alternatives were first epitomized by David Ben-Gurion and Moshe Sharett. These two outstanding leaders had stood together at the helm of the yishuv -the Jewish community of Palestine- starting in the early 1930s, leading up to the establishment of the State of Israel, and throughout the State's formative years until 1956. [Full article...]By: Ya'akov Sharett
Israel > Politics
Jewish History > 1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
Jewish History > 1948-Today: Modern Zionist Age
People > 1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
People > 1948-Today: Modern Zionist Age
Zionism > Who is a Zionist?
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Zionist Biography: Aaron Aaronsohn: Agronomist, Spy, Zionist
Aaron Aaronsohn (1876-1919) was a member of the remarkable Aaronsohn family who were early chalutzim in Eretz Yisrael, and he became the leading agronomist in the country. His work was of great importance in the development of agriculture there, but if indeed he is remembered, it is not for this but for his role in espionage work in Palestine carried out for the British Army, his general supportive role to the British in their fight to wrest Palestine from Turkey, and for his subsequent pro-Zionist work. The successful British campaign against Turkey was helped materially by his unparalleled knowledge of Palestine. [Full article...]By: Cecil Bloom
Jewish History > 1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
Jewish History > 1948-Today: Modern Zionist Age
Zionism > Who is a Zionist?
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Jewish Socialism: Labor Zionism and Jewish Tradition
One can move from Katznelson to Liesen, to Gordon, to Syrkin and to Ben Gurion, and easily perceive how much Judaism, how much Jewish religious feeling prevails in the world of these so-called non-religious theoreticians of Jewish socialism or Labor Zionism. [Full article...]By: Ezra Spicehandler
Israel > Politics
Jewish History > 1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
People > 1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Zionists: Herzl's Radical Vision changed World History
On February 14, 1896, The Jewish State by Theodore Herzl first appeared in print. Rachel Elboim-Dror reflects upon the importance of the anniversary. [Full article...]By: Rachel Elboim-Dror
Jewish History > 1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
People > 1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
Zionism
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
The Zionist Imperative: On Torah, Zionism and Peace
While the land of Israel is central to the Jewish people, the idea of placing the acquisition of specific tracts of land over other key Torah values is inconsistent with traditional Jewish texts and Jewish history and, in our day, immoral. Although we may sometimes be pushed to take up the sword, this is a distasteful last resort and never a source for glory. It is a religious Zionists' obligation to protest against violent stances and to teach the meaning of human dignity. [Full article...]By: Aviezer Ravitzky
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
The Zionist Imperative: I Am A Zionist, Because
Gil Troy presents fourteen ideological statements, proclaiming why Zionism is compelling for him. Troy's Zionism is inspired by: the national component of Judaism; a cyclical history of persecution and wandering; a sense of yearning for homeland from forced exile; the disillusionment of assimilation; the historic bond with the land; the creation of normalcy for Jews in their homeland; pride in Jewish heritage; the compatibility of a Zionist identity with other nationalist and religious identities; the ideal of creating a strong, independent Jewish state; and the vision of Jewish rebuilding and renewal in a homeland. [Full article...]By: Gil Troy
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
The Zionist Imperative: The Goals of Zionism Today
Herzl's political Zionist vision has been realized by the State of Israel, but the spiritual Zionist vision of Ahad Ha'Am – the creation of a fully developed modern Jewish culture - has not. Despite the desire of most Israeli Jews to maintain their cultural identity, many are “assimilating” to Western ways. To reverse this trend, the Zionist quest to create a Jewish spiritual center in Israel must be actively pursued in Israel by Israelis. [Full article...]By: Eliezer Schweid
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
The Zionist Imperative: Making Israel a Light Unto the Nations: Conservative Zionism Reconsidered
It is a travesty for Conservative Jews to remain on the sidelines of the tremendous historical achievement that Israel represents. Conservative Judaism has a great deal to contribute to Israeli society by offering an alternative Judaism to that of the corrupt and domineering Orthodox establishment and by advocating for a Western democratic stance, which does not come naturally to Jews with Eastern European or Middle Eastern roots. Liberal American Jews should cease to support Israeli institutions espousing values that are in conflict with their own. The Chief Rabbinate of Israel should be dismantled, while other religious legislation should be preserved. [Full article...]By: Ismar Schorsch
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
The Zionist Imperative: Jewish Culture in Israel – No Apologies Necessary
Israel is already a “state of all its citizens” in that all Israelis – Jews and non-Jews alike – have the right to vote and other basic rights. Just as Jews in Western countries would not attempt to undermine the Christian culture and symbols that surround them, Arab Israelis must accept the majority Jewish culture. Israel must preserve its uniquely Jewish character; to abandon it would be no different than acquiescing to those who seek to delegitimize the Jewish state altogether. [Full article...]By: Cynthia Ozick
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
The Zionist Imperative: The Meaning of Homeland
The Jews' right to the land of Israel is comparable to that of a “drowning man to grasp the only plank that can save him.” Because of our historical connection to it, this is the only land to which the Jews would have come to establish a homeland, but the land is not “holy.” However, this is also the Palestinians' homeland, and that makes for a tragic clash of rights. [Full article...]By: Amos Oz
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
The Zionist Imperative: Jewish Society in Israel: A Covenantal Approach
God made three types of covenants in the Torah: a universal one for humanity at large, with Noah; one connected to the Land of Israel and Jewish peoplehood with Abraham; and a religious one with Moses. The State of Israel must abide by the Abrahamic covenant, but it must not force the Mosaic upon its citizens. The State should be culturally Jewish and allow for Jewish religious expression while refraining from most religious legislation. Religious Jews should use effective educational means, not coercion, to bring other Jews into the Mosaic covenant. [Full article...]By: Norman Lamm
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
The Zionist Imperative: The Collapse of Zionism
Post-Zionist thinking calls the very survival of Israel into question by weakening the ideological fiber of the country. This “collapse of Zionism” can be attributed to Israelis' war weariness, guilt feelings about the “original sin” of Israel's founding, and the adoption of Western anti-nationalist and nihilistic ideas. These ideas are misplaced and dangerous to the State; they could lead to Israel's “liquidation through internal transformation.” [Full article...]By: Charles Krauthammer
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
The Zionist Imperative: Toward a Theology of Reform Zionism
The establishment, protection, and development of the State of Israel are integral premises of Progressive Jewish belief. Our covenant with God is a collective one, to be played out in the Land of Israel, its testing ground. In Israel, every issue is a Jewish one, including civil liberties, use of political power, poverty, relating to minority populations. Aliya is to be encouraged among Western Jews. [Full article...]By: Richard G. Hirsch
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
The Zionist Imperative: ALIYAH: The Transformation and Renewal of an Idea
Discourse and thinking about aliya needs to be reconceptualized. Since most Jews in the world no longer need a safe haven, aliya should be thought of as acting on the aspiration to live an enhanced Jewish life. This necessitates that Israeli society be an arena in which individuals come together to elevate themselves spiritually for Jewish nation building. Religious holidays and symbols, as well as liberal Jewish values should be given public expression. [Full article...]By: David Hartman
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
The Zionist Imperative: Statehood vs. Peoplehood
Israelis today tend to distinguish more and more between their identity as Israeli nationals and their identity as members of an historic Jewish people. This tendency is encouraged by a small minority of articulate spokespeople from Israeli literary circles. The ideas of classical Zionist thinkers such as Ahad Ha'Am and Ben Gurion are contrasted in this article with those of modern writers, such as Hillel Halkin, Amos Oz, A. B. Yehoshua and Boas Evron, who call for a “normal” national society in Israel, bereft of Jewish trappings. The author argues that nationalism cannot replace religion in Israel. [Full article...]By: Hertzel Fishman
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
The Zionist Imperative: Religious Pluralism and Israeli Society
Israeli society is in transition from “melting pot” to “mosaic.” The society as a whole can benefit from the flourishing of the unique traditions and ideologies of different ethnic and ideological communities. This implies a true acceptance of pluralism, which “enables those holding every opinion and belief to live as they wish.” Burg believes that many Jews in Israel turn away from Judaism because of its association with establishment institutions and government structures that are negative and alienating. Religion in Israel should also be pluralistic, so that it is “relevant to the modern Jew.” Elements of both Ashkenazic and Sephardic Zionism should be combined to “transform Israel into an exemplary society . . . ” [Full article...]By: Avraham Burg
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
The Zionist Imperative: Zionism and Jewish Identity
There is a deep problem with regard to the “Jewish nature of Israel,” which requires serious examination. Dror suggests that neither religion nor political Zionism continue to provide sufficient definitions for Jewish identity. Today's predicament is similar to the situation of the Jews after several periods of destruction and exile in Jewish history. In each case, Jews survived, and even thrived, under conditions of adversity. Dror calls for “a transcendent, peak-level creativity” which will rejuvenate the “Jewish nature” of Israel. [Full article...]By: Yehezkel Dror
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Israel's Youth Movements: Living their Ideals
Israel is a society well aware of the importance of creating a nurturing environment that prepares its youth to be responsible, caring adults, "working for the good of others." [Full article...]By: Beth Uval
Education
Jewish History > 1948-Today: Modern Zionist Age
Youth and Hagshama Movements / Organizations
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
The Zionist Imperative: Facing Extinction: Confessions of an Ardent Zionist
Zionism is facing extinction today because Zionist leaders evidence little commitment to the ideological imperatives for which they supposedly stand. As a result, they are responsible for blurring the important distinctions between Zionism and pro-Israelism. To rectify the situation, Zionist organizations and activists must undergo a profound change in consciousness themselves, and strive to bring about such a change in others. They need to rededicate themselves to an operative Zionist agenda, including aliyah, Hebrew study, Zionist education, renewal of a Jewish national culture, and involvement in the forging of an exemplary Jewish society in Israel. [Full article...]By: David Breakstone
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Father and Son: Dr. Josef Burg and Avraham Burg
This article focuses on Josef and Avraham Burg, father and son politicians. Their story reflects the history of the state itself and their influence on Israeli politics has been, and continues to be extremely strong. [Full article...]By: Rochelle Mass
Israel > Politics
People > 1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
People > 1948-Today: Modern Zionist Age
Zionism > Who is a Zionist?
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
A Discussion: Is Liberal Zionism Still Credible
Marie Syrkin and Shlomo Avineri discuss the question of "Is Liberal Zionism Still Credible?" [Full article...]By: Shlomo Avineri Marie Syrkin
Zionism > Who is a Zionist?
Zionism > Zionism and the Diaspora
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Zionism: The Historical Balance Sheet of Zionist Ideology
Now that Zionism has existed in its modern conception for a hundred years, the time has come to test its relevancy on two planes: The first as a basic analysis of Jewish existence, and the second, as a solution which can act as a guideline for the present and for building the future. [Full article...]By: Shlomo Dinur
Jewish History > 1948-Today: Modern Zionist Age
Zionism
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Zionism in Modern Times: Can There be a Revival of Zionist Ideology?
The situation in which we lack a Zionist ideology today is characterized by two elements: the existence of the State of Israel and the shift of world Jewry to the American continent. These two elements must be seen not as dependent upon each other, but as coexistent. [Full article...]By: Nathan Rotenstreich
Zionism > Zionism and the Diaspora
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
In Hindsight: On The Historical Position of The State of Israel
In consequence of the reality in which we live, the question of the nature of the relationship between the State of Israel and Diaspora Jewry has taken a form which none of the classical Zionist thinkers and leaders had foreseen. [Full article...]By: Nathan Rotenstreich
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Israel at Ten: Vision and Redemption
Ever wanted to know how the founding fathers of Israel viewed the state in its early years? Read what Ben Gurion had to say about Israel ten years after the founding of the state. [Full article...]By: David Ben Gurion
Israel > Politics
People > 1948-Today: Modern Zionist Age
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
One Hundred Years of Zionism: The Goals of Zionism Today
On the occasion of the centenary of the First Zionist Congress (1897-1997), and verging on the jubilee of the State of Israel (1948-1998), the World Zionist Organization is engaging intensively in rethinking, updating its assumptions, and restructuring organizationally in order to meet changing needs in both Israel and the Diaspora. [Full article...]By: Eliezer Schweid
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Zionism and Modernity: Of the Modern Origins of Zionism
It was, no doubt, Zionism, both as an ideological setting and as a movement, that brought about the existence of the State of Israel. [Full article...]By: Nathan Rotenstreich
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
An Israeli Perspective: Israel at 50
Klein Halevi explores the nature of the Israeli people and Israeli society fifty years on. [Full article...]By: Yossi Klein Halevi
Israel
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Still a Grand Old Word: Zionism
The word 'Zionism' often brings up negative connotations. In this article, Gil Troy advocates taking back the word 'Zionism' and re-claiming it as a positive concept which continues to speak to us today. [Full article...]By: Gil Troy
Judaism > Jewish Identity
Zionism > Zionism and the Diaspora
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Hagshama - Article III: The Relevance of Zionism Today
The World Zionist Congress opens on the seventeenth of June, 2002… and there is no way of predicting what the situation will be in either the Middle East or in the World. What is clear, is that if the Congress does not involve serious ideological debate on relevant Zionism, those who claim the World Zionist Organisation and our National Zionist Institutions are obselete will gain the upper hand by default. There is a vital need to re-examine our expressions of Zionism and ensure that our ongoing Zionist goals, actions and ideals are meeting the demands and challenges of the 21st Century. A vital need to rejuvenate and revitalize the Zionist Movement. [Full article...]By: Haim Hayet
Youth and Hagshama Movements / Organizations
Zionism
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Israeli Society in a State of Trance: The 52nd Anniversary of the Creation of the State of Israel
Two clashing visions of society shape modern-day Israel: on the one hand, we have the post-modernist wave, imported from overseas; and on the other hand we have post-Zionism, which is causing the pillars of Israeli society to rot from within. [Full article...]By: Julian Schvindlerman
Israel
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Response to 'Trance and Israeli Society' by Julian Schvindlerman.: An indignant Zionist protests the globalization of Israeli culture
Things are heating up in Hagshama’s on-line e-magazine. In our previous edition we offered our readers two markedly different visions of post-Zionism and its effects on Israeli society at all levels. Our correspondent Julian Schvindlerman launched a diatribe at the trance craze raging in Israel’s discotheques, looking upon it as incontrovertible proof of the decadence of Zionist values and a direct result of galloping globalization and post-Zionist thought….as well as a sad expression of the decline of moral value in Israel’s highly politicized culture. But for Rothbart, who prefers to answer Julian’s stance directly - globalization does indeed have its dark side - but for other reasons. [Full article...]By: Sergio Rotbart
Israel
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Social Problems in the Promised Land: A Light to the Nations? Social Justice in Israel
This trenchant article explores the burning issues in the tense social fabric of Israeli society: officially sanctioned prostitution, the ever-increasing disparity between the rich and the poor, real wage inequality between men and women, and the badly-defined status of Israel’s indigenous minorities. Matt Plenn invites us to take a no-holds-barred look at contemporary society in Israel, exploring how these issues impact on the founding ideology of the Jewish state, and its promise of equality. [Full article...]By: Matt Plen
Israel
Israel > Israeli Arabs
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
Zionistic thoughts: New Age Zionism: Holding On as the World Turns
When Theodor Herzl launched the modern Zionist movement in the 1890's he knew that life for humankind would be different in the next century. He proposed a radical idea: The Jewish people would find a "normal" place among the nations if it organized itself into a nation-state. We must ask the question: What is different today, on the eve of the next century, the first of a new millennium? [Full article...]By: Arthur Hertzberg
Zionism > Zionism Revisited
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