In celebration of Israel’s 73rd Independence Day — Yom Ha’atzmaut — we are sharing professor Gil Troy’s essay “Why I am a Zionist.” Twenty years ago he wrote this affirmation essay sharing his reasons for being a Zionist, and how we all have a hand in fulfilling Theodor Herzl’s timeless belief that “If you will it, it is no dream.” This year, we are revisiting and updating it. After watching the video, the prompts below can be used to engage students in thought-provoking discussion about what they have learned.
- Zionism
- Israel - State
- Israel - Contemporary
- Israel - The Land
- After School and Beyond
- Congregational Learning
- Day Schools and Yeshivas
- Teen Engagement
- Family Engagement
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Theodor Herzl proposed a temporary safe haven in Uganda. However, a Jewish homeland in East Africa was heavily opposed by the Zionist Congress.
Learning of Theodor Herzl’s call for a Jewish state, Brandeis began to rally Jewish Americans around Zionism and support for Israel.
Adina Frydman of Young Judaea talks about Zionist youth movements.