From the course: Understanding and Supporting Jewish Colleagues at Work

Zionism around the world

From the course: Understanding and Supporting Jewish Colleagues at Work

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Zionism around the world

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- I want to invite you to take a moment and close your eyes. What images come to mind when I say the word Zionist? Were you thinking of someone who looks like me? Jews and non-Jews often mean different things when they talk about Zionism. So let's talk about the different uses of Zionism and assess their potential to harm Jews. I define Zionism as the belief that Jews have the right to national self-determination in some portion of our ancestral homeland. Because of that ancestral connection, attachment to Israel is a central feature of Jewish identity for almost all Jews. Zionism is an important feature of Jewish identity for almost all Jews. It's also a political movement that began in Europe in the late 1800s when an Austro-Hungarian Jewish journalist named Theodor Herzl covered the trial of French military officer Alfred Dreyfus. Dreyfus was also Jewish, and when he was falsely accused and convicted of treason, antisemitism surged into the mainstream. Herzl created the Zionist movement in response to this event, believing that after thousands of years of oppression, it would be impossible for Jews to live safely as a minority in any society. Zionism was conceived as a project that was necessary for long-term Jewish safety. But instead of thinking about one Zionism, I like to think about Zionisms. Zionism and reactions to Zionism are as diverse as the Jewish people. Jews have different ideas about the role of Israel in their lives. A minority of Jews even reject the idea that Zionism is a necessary part of their identity. But regardless, the point is that Zionism can't be reduced to one ideology. Sadly, accusing someone of being a Zionist in a derogatory way has become common and highly politicized. The term Zionist must not be used as a slur or as a synonym for all Jews. This usage feeds into conspiracy theories about Jews that undermine Jewish inclusion and safety. Zionism is a feature of Jewish identity that reflects our diversity as a people. Many Jews have always wanted to return to the land of Israel. While the Zionist political movement began in Europe, most Jews around the world shared the vision of Jewish national self-determination in Israel. In fact, the Beta Israel Jewish community had been living in Ethiopia, separated from all other Jews, for centuries. When they were forced to flee Ethiopia, they too wanted to return to Zion, Israel, and many of them had never even met a non-Ethiopian Jew. Remember this diversity next time you imagine a Zionist and be prepared to push back against anyone using Zionists as a derogatory term for the Jewish people and their allies.

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