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Theodor Herzl


Secularism and Its Discontents Secularism and Its Discontents
Thursday, May 30, 2013 by Yehudah Mirsky | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features

In an essay first published December 17, 2010, Yehudah Mirsky examines a defense of Jewish secularism and finds it—and Jewish secularism itself—wanting.
Zionism Before Herzl Zionism Before Herzl
Monday, April 22, 2013 by Erika Dreifus | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features

In 1876, 21 years before Herzl convened the First Zionist Congress, a non-Jewish woman, writing for an English audience, published a novel with a powerful Zionist message.  She went by the name of George Eliot. 
Who’s Sadat?  Or, Defining Israel Literacy Upward Who’s Sadat? Or, Defining Israel Literacy Upward
Monday, March 4, 2013 by David B. Starr | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features

American Jewry is becoming less and less well informed about Zionism and Israel.  Can anything be done to reverse this decline?
Where Does the Modern Period of Jewish History Begin? Where Does the Modern Period of Jewish History Begin?
Friday, January 18, 2013 by Michael A. Meyer | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features

In this classic 1975 Judaism article, Michael Meyer argues that there is no value in "setting a definite terminus for the beginning of modern Jewish history."
The “Married to another Man” Story The “Married to another Man” Story
Friday, October 12, 2012 by Shai Afsai | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features

In the introduction to his popular and influential history of the Arab-Israeli conflict, The Iron Wall, Oxford professor Avi Shlaim tells this story: "The publication of [Herzl's] The Jewish State evoked various reactions in the Jewish com­munity, some strongly favorable, some hostile, and some skeptical . . ."
Strategic Investment in Israel’s New War Strategic Investment in Israel’s New War
Wednesday, October 10, 2012 by Ronen Shoval | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features

Foreign governments, acting thoughtfully and strategically, fund dozens of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that form a flourishing anti-Israel movement within Israel itself.
Neologism and Nationalism Neologism and Nationalism
Thursday, August 30, 2012 by Alex Joffe | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features

There has never been agreement about Zionism.  Not only is the idea of Jewish nationalism controversial, the very word “Zionism” arouses unique passions, as a recent controversy highlights.
Editors' Picks
Herzl's New Judaism Daphne Netanyahu, Jerusalem Post. "Zionism is our return to Judaism," wrote Theodor Herzl, "which must occur before we can return to the Land of the Jews."
Star and Stripes Michael Freund, Jerusalem Post. Theodor Herzl had proposed a white banner with gold stars as the Zionist flag.  But David Wolfssohn disagreed: "The tallit with which we wrap ourselves when we pray: That is our symbol."
Herzl House Aviva Bar-Am, Shmuel Bar-Am, Times of Israel. Situated in the JNF’s first forest, Herzl House was built as a memorial to the Zionist founder; but when Arab rioters murdered Jews in 1929, it served as a sanctuary for the next generation’s pioneers.