This five-part course tells the story of modern Israel’s founding generation through their own words: Theodor Herzl, the assimilated Viennese journalist whose 1896 pamphlet Der Judenstaat launched political Zionism; Ze’ev Jabotinsky, whose 1923 essay “The Iron Wall” remains the amongst the most hotly debated documents in Zionist thought; David Ben-Gurion, who took the movement from Declaration of Independence to functioning state; Golda Meir, whose leadership was tested to its limits by the Yom Kippur War; and Menachem Begin, who traveled the improbable road from underground commander to Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Expect to engage in primary texts, with each other, and with the relevant issues of the day. No prior background in Zionist history is required—only your curiosity.
Class Dates: January 6, 13, 20, 27, February 3 — all via Zoom.
Registration Due Date: Registration for this class closes on Monday, December 21
Price: Free for members of Anshe Emet // $125 for non-members