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What is the Future of Zionism?
Shalom Chaverim,
A delegation of Reform Jews from around the world recently joined in celebrating the 125th anniversary of the first World Zionist Congress. They met in Basel, at the same site where Theodor Herzl convened the fledgling Zionist movement. 1,400 Jewish leaders, entrepreneurs and philanthropists from around the world gathered to discuss the way forward.
In 1897, the focus of Zionism was promoting Aliyah to the Jewish settlement in Turkish-controlled Palestine and creating a Jewish state.
“At Basel, I founded the Jewish state,” Herzl famously wrote in his diary at the time, noting that while not everyone recognized the import of the Congress then, they would in 50 years — precisely predicting the moment when Israel would become an independent nation.
Today, the concept of Zionism must grapple with the very real challenges of an actual state and the diversity of Jews both within the state and in the diaspora.
In fact, a new paradigm of Zionism has developed that sees the relationship between Jews in Israel and those in the diaspora as a partnership.
In the words of Nachman Shai, Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs, “It is of utmost importance that we find ways to integrate the voices of the diaspora into the decision-making processes of Israel.”
And, according to a recent survey, most Israelis view the relationship with Jews in the Diaspora as a strategic one. “95% of the respondents, from all parties, view the relationship with the Jewish People as important.”
ARZA Canada helps to strengthen the relationship with Israel as a member of the World Zionist Organization through Arzenu, the coalition of Reform Zionist organizations. Arzenu uses its political strength to advocate for progressive values with the Government of Israel.
Arzenu can appoint representatives to serve in National Institutions, such as Yair Lootsteen, chair of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ). A lawyer, Yair works tirelessly on our behalf to advocate for progressive values. Our Israeli colleagues are strong and persistent, even in the face of extreme and sometimes violent opposition. Our mission as ARZA Canada includes supporting them in their struggles.
What's next?
The state of Israel is now a reality, no longer residing in Herzl’s imagination. It has its share of moral complications and practical dilemmas.
Let’s take this opportunity to reclaim Zionism, for ourselves and for the Jewish people.
Israel’s president Isaac Herzog said, “Modern Zionism gives us our sense of not only shared fate but also shared destiny, as long as it remains anchored in our deepest roots, weaving together the inseparable threads of peoplehood, land, and state.” Read Herzog’s full speech here.
Let’s take responsibility for strengthening Jewish Peoplehood no matter where we live. Let’s nurture and support one another to create a future we can be proud of.
DONATE NOWto support Reform and Progressive values in Israel.
When Criticism Becomes Hateful: Defining Anti-Zionism and Antisemitism
A webinar with: Professor Derek Penslar
Thursday, September 15 - 7:30 pm ET
What rights do people have to criticize their country? Other countries? When do those criticisms become hateful? And when they become hateful, how should they be combatted? This talk will apply these general questions to the relationship between contemporary anti-Zionism and antisemitism. We will draw upon three recent documents that have, in different ways, attempted to clarify this relationship.
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