Israel in Context: What Zionist Thinkers Say to Us Today

Dr. Aaron Panken

Zionism faces numerous challenges in the contemporary American Reform context. Recent articles even claim that American rabbinical students are beginning to exhibit less connection to the Jewish State, let alone our lay leaders. Dual loyalties, dual states and dueling theologies are just a few of the many complications that confront those who turn their minds to this important issue. Through reading a series of early and more recent Zionist thinkers, we will begin to address the question of where Israel fits as a component of American Reform Jewish identity, and consider what we might do in coming years to address the challenges of contemporary Zionism in our congregations and communities. Texts will be in Hebrew and English, with translations available where necessary.