Six-week course begins Tuesday June 17, 6:45 pm, online
The Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater is hosting a six-week course this summer, Understanding Zionism: The Return to the Jewish Homeland. The course will offer an in-depth exploration of one of the most profound movements in Jewish history, Zionism.
Zionism is a story of resilience, identity, and hope. For more than 2,000 years, the Jewish people endured exile, prejudice, and oppression while maintaining an unyielding connection to their ancestral homeland. This course traces how ancient dreams of return evolved into a dynamic movement encompassing religious, cultural, national, and political dimensions. These efforts led to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, a watershed moment in Jewish history.
Contemporary questions surrounding Zionism’s meaning today, its relationship with Diaspora Jewry, and the challenges it faces with global criticism and recent events will also be considered. The aftermath of October 7, for example, has intensified public debates about Zionism’s values and relevance. Through this lens, participants will reflect on the resilience and enduring significance of Zionism in modern times.
Understanding Zionism offers a nuanced perspective by engaging with primary sources, firsthand accounts, and official documents, encouraging participants to draw their own conclusions about Zionism’s objectives—past and present—while fostering informed public discourse. The course aims to educate and inspire participants to share their newfound insights with others.
Six engaging lessons
The program is structured around six lessons that provide a comprehensive overview of Zionism:
- Seeds of Zionism: Explore early writings and ideas that transformed Jewish nationalism into the modern Zionist movement.
- Building a Jewish Homeland: Examine the practical challenges faced by pioneers as they worked to establish a Jewish state.
- The Birth of the State of Israel: Delve into the dramatic events leading to Israel’s founding in 1948.
- Defining Zionism Today: Discuss diverse perspectives on Zionism within contemporary Israel, including issues such as democracy, religion, and territorial disputes.
- Zionism and the Diaspora: Investigate how Zionism has shaped Jewish communities worldwide and fostered mutual engagement between Israel and the Diaspora.
- Looking Ahead: Analyze current challenges facing Zionism and envision its future.
This course is open to adults with all levels of knowledge who are eager to deepen their understanding of Zionism’s historical roots and contemporary significance. Thanks to special funding available to all learners, the course is only $50 if using code ZION50 at checkout.
For more information or to register, visit JewishVA.org/Melton or contact Sierra Lautman, senior director of Jewish Innovation at UJFT, at SLautman@ujft.org or 757-965-6107.