Der Judenstaat ("The Jewish State") by Theodor Herzl (1896)

Zionism and Homeland

Are you a Zionist? What does it mean to be a Zionist in the past and today? Can you be a Zionist today living in America?

Poll #1 Are you a Zionist?

Poll #2 Why do you consider yourself a Zionist?

What is a homeland?
Ancient Greece Ancient Rome

A man's homeland is wherever he prospers.

Aristophanes (446 BC ca. 386 BC), a prolific and much acclaimed comic playwright of an cient Athens

Ubi bene ibi patria Where I am at ease, there is my country.

Roman tragic poet Marcus Pacuvius (ca. 220-130 BC) quoted by Cicero (106 BC 43 BC)

Jewish Perception of Homeland and Zionism

Jewish Perception of Homeland and Zionism

Jewish Perception of Homeland and Zionism

Spiritual Connection
In the spring of 5558 (1798 C.E.), Rebbe Nachman traveled to Eretz Yisrael with only a single follower. He traveled in the thick of the Napoleonic wars in the East, making his trip even more fraught with danger than it normally would have been. They landed at Haifa on the day before Rosh Hashanah of 5559, and after taking four steps in the Holy Land, Rebbe Nachman announced that he had accomplished his goal, and was ready to return home. He ended up staying in Israel for nearly six months, and he praised the qualities of the land very highly and encouraged everyone to make their own pilgrimage. He would say, My place is only in Eretz Yisrael, and wherever I go Im going to Eretz Yisrael. Its just that, in the meanwhile, Im stopping in Breslov.

Modern Zionist Movements

Political Zionism, led by Theodore Herzl, sought the establishment of a Jewish state. Cultural Zionism, presented by Ahad HaAm, insisted that modern nationalistic Jewish culture took precedence over political activity.

Religious Zionism, defined by the Mizrahi organization founded in Vilna in 1902.

Labor Zionism, which came to typify the young State of Israel, had its origins in the Second Aliyah, as idealistic pioneers came to build and be built.

Different quotes for defining Zionism

Cultural/Spiritual Zionism Zionism is the idea that Israel is the indisputable center of the Jewish culture (Ahad Haam) Political Zionism Zionism is the idea Jews must be a physically and politically strong majority in the land of Israel (Jabotinsky) Zionism is the idea that as a nation, the Jews are entitled to a national home (Theodore Herzl)

Different quotes for defining Zionism

Aliyah Zionism Zionism is the desire to live in Israel -Uri Gordon "Why arent we allowed to say that the only Zionist is one who packs up his belongings and moves to Israel?" -Gold Meir Religious Zionism Zionism is the idea that a full Jewish existence requires living in the land of Israel and being governed by Jewish laws (Rav Kook)

PIONEERS
Throughout the ages Jews traveled to Israel sometimes under very adverse conditions.

Pioneers in Hulda, Jaffa, and the Galilee

Degania
First kibbutz established in Land of Israel
World Zionist Organization acquired 1,200dunam stretch of uncultivated land, Um Juni, in 1909.

36 members of Ha-poel ha-tzair given land in 1910 to establish collective settlement

First houses built in 1912

Tel Aviv
Establishment of Ahuzat Bayit, a Jewish quarter of Jaffa, in 1909 Groups were charged with leveling sand dunes, preparing roads, cutting stones, and building houses Name taken from the Hebrew translation of Herzls Altneuland

Tel Aviv

Left: Nahalat Binyamin Street, 1914 Below: Rothschild Boulevard and first municipal building, 1911

Reaction of one of the pioneers

David Grn from Plonsk, writing of his first night in Palestine in 1906:
It was sealed in my heart with the joy of victory. I did not sleep. I was among the rich smell of corn, I heard the braying of donkeys and the rustle of leaves in the orchards. Above were massed clusters of stars clear against the deep blue firmament. My heart overflowed with happiness, as if I had entered the realm of legend. My dream had become a reality.

PIONEERS
Throughout the ages Jews traveled to Israel sometimes under very adverse conditions. Now that we can go--- do people?

Present Day Aliyah: Nefesh B Nefesh

Poll #3 What is your homeland?

Poll #4 How do you show it is your homeland?

Poll #5: How many times have you traveled to Israel?

Poll #6: These trips to Israel

Poll #7: Israel is important to me because.

Poll #8: I would care more about Israel if only.

Poll #9: Can you see yourself living in Israel?

 Are we Zionists if we can move to Israel and we do not? What makes Israel our homeland?