A Must-Read Op-Ed
Eli Kavon makes a great case for the importance of Zionism in the twentieth century and into the twenty-first. He argues that Zionism was the best solution to the crisis of European Jewry before the Holocaust. The theology which had worked for two thousand years – expecting and praying for a Messiah to arrive and redeem the Jewish people – led to a passivity which was ultimately fatal. The establishment of the State of Israel gave new meaning to Jewish identity after the Holocaust, when disillusionment with Judaism could have taken over and led to mass assimilation.
Today, Zionism and Israel still remain a central part of most Jews’ identities, whatever their religious affiliation. Israel is grappling with many questions relating to its identity, and Jews the world over are looking to Israel for the answers. On of the central issues is, of course, how Jews interact with the rest of the world while still maintaining a unique identity. On a national level, how does Israel stay a Jewish state while creating a mutually beneficial relationship with its Arab neighbors and residents?
As the title of this post suggests, this is a must-read article. Now that you have read a summary, you can read the whole thing at The Jerusalem Post. And let us know if you agree with him.
