The Konikoff Center of Learning aims to “inspire individuals to deepen their Jewish knowledge and connection.” As part of this goal, KCL offers courses by the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning.
One such course is “Understanding Zionism: The Return to the Jewish Homeland.” The course, recently taught by Sierra Lautman, senior director of Jewish Innovation at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, spanned six sessions. Participants analyzed texts covering Zionists’ struggle for a Jewish Homeland and Israel’s place in modern Jewry.
During the first class, Lautman and participants discussed the theoretical forms of Zionism and issues that led Jews to seek a Jewish nation. The three main groups were Labor Zionists, who spoke of returning to the holy land and creating a type of socialist commune; Religious Zionists, who believed Jews were destined to return to Judea and renew Jewish religious life; and Political Zionists, who wanted Jewish statehood to be recognized by world powers.
During classes two and three, the learners continued to read through texts and discuss the evolution of Zionism from early Jewish settlers in the late 1800s to the creation of Israel in 1948. Focusing on the practical aspect of creating a Jewish state, learners spoke about the struggles Jewish migrants had with farming, and the evolution of Zionism after the British took control of Mandated Palestine and subsequently ceded control to the UN.
The ideas discussed in the first three sessions culminated in class four; participants discussed Israel’s declaration of independence and the controversial nature of legislation that declares Israel to be a Jewish nation-state while also being a democracy.
Sessions five and six focused on the Jewish diaspora’s relationship with Israel and what the future holds for Israel. A major takeaway was the importance of the Jewish Diaspora in the continued existence of Israel and the rift that has seemingly grown between Israel and the Diaspora resulting from the varying opinions held by Jews around the world regarding Israel and Gaza.
At the end of the class, participants expressed how the course provided them with “a deeper understanding of the yearnings for a Jewish homeland from the first calls for a homeland in the 19th century to the fulfillment of a nation-state in 1948 to the modern 21st century world.”
To learn more about programs and classes offered by Konikoff Center for Learning, go to JewishVA.org/KCL or contact Sierra Lautman, senior director of Jewish Innovation at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, at SLautman@UJFT.org.