Herzl and Post-Zionism: Activities & Projects

Educational Goals

1. Facilitate open exploration and definitions of Zionism in a contemporary setting.
2. Individualize messages on the future of the Jewish people and the Jewish state.
3. Review areas of study or project work.

Synopses

Below are two alternative or complementary directions for programming, open to adaptation and integration. The appropriate option depends on the time slot available, the depth desired and level of analysis suitable for the group in question.

Time Shift - Re-enactment

1. You have been ivited to lead a youth / student delegation to the official Centenial Congress events in Basel, summer 1997, and to make a speech about the ideals of Zionism today.
2. In groups of three, each mini-delegation creates a speech around Herzl's statement below. If working in a youth movement framework, each group may take on the role of a different Zionist youth movement and write it from that organization's standpoint [Betar, Bnei Akiva, FZY, Habonim Dror, Maccabi, NCSY, NFTY, USY, Young Judaea...].
3. Set up the "Congress hall" and collect your youth delegations, assigning speech order at random. Each speaker mounts the "platform" when called by the Chairperson [the moderator] to address the distinguished forum.
4. When all the speeches have been heard, have each delegation write up their main proposals from their speech in a few concise points on poster board and hang them around the hall.
5. The forum is now to vote a new program on Zionism as a resolution of this Commemorative Congress. Each group proposal will be voted on separately and each delegate may only vote for one proposal -- although he or she may oppose any or all of the others. There shall be no votes of abstention. The proposal to win most votes shall be adopted as the resolution of the Congress.

Herzl's Statement:

"I believe that even when we will have achieved a land of our own, Zionism will not cease to be an ideal. For Zionism, as I perceive it, incorporates not only the aspiration to a secured plot of land for our wretched people, but also the desire for moral and spiritual fulfillment."

Analysis and Projects

For any of the four methods below, please use the complete speech by Avraham Burg, Chairman of the Zionist Executive and the Jewish Agency for Israel, on Mt. Herzl, Monday 17th June 1996.

A. Analysis

This is the simplest variation if you wish to review the speech without any creative project work; alternatively, you may commence with the first question and proceed directly to one or more of the interactive programs.

1. What is the crossroads of which Avraham Burg speaks, and what are the dilemmas involved?
2. What is the new spiritual challenge of the people and how does he envisage the new chapter of the Zionist dream connecting to this?
3. What is Avraham Burg calling for in general terms?
   • to target young people for a new Zionist movement [how would you propose outreach?]
   • a new grass-roots movement based on 5 fundamental Jewish principles [do you have further suggestions for a new Zionist Program?]
   • harmony, unity and pluralism [are these compatible or possible?]

B. Values Clarification - The Principles of the New Zionist Movement

Please prepare a worksheet for the participants with the principles designated in Avraham Burg's speech and space for participants to add to the list.

• Rate each of the principles below on a scale from 1 [not important at all] to 5 [very important].
• Add some ideas of your own for new principles.
• Each participant lists them in order of importance.
• Each participants looks for a partner with the same "top three" preferences. Larger groups may also be formed.
• Which were the preferred options - and why?
• How did they relate to your own lives today?

C. Outreach to Young Peope as PR and Marketing

You have been appointed marketing advisor to the Zionist movement. What would you like to tell us about reaching out to young people today?

Proceed as follows:

• In groups of five, work out your basic do's and don'ts for the movement if it wishes to appeal to young Jewish people today.
• Explain how you would market these ideas within the affiliated community and through outreach.
• You may also wish to translate this into a TV or radio slot, working in your groups, to produce either:
  * a public service announcement, or
  * a commercial advertisement.

D. Leadership Exercise: Harmony - Unity - Pluralism

Work in groups of five to campaign for a better Jewish community!

1. Define for yourself the meaning of "harmony", "unity" and "pluralism". Do you know anywhere where all three are possible? What is a realistic expectation?
2. 2. Create a structured map of organizations in your community - or of a fictitious community. Do this by making a little "ticket" for each agency and standing it on the large map. Think of as many opposed groups in the Jewish community as you can - identify the cause[s] of conflict.
3. Think of as many groups with common ground as you can. Think of several common causes within the broader community.
4. How many groups do you think you could actually bring together in one way or another and for what reason[s]? How many groups would at least be prepared to coexist?
5. Draw up a program to achieve these goals.
6. 6. Prepare your presentation either for:
   * a community cable TV slot, or
   * a major interview program
   and video it in front of your "studio audience".

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