Page 23 - Issue 28

After the initial realization of political
Zionism, prominent Zionist leaders in
the Diaspora, active in the struggle to
achieve a Jewish state, realized that the
focus would now be on cultural
Zionism. Cultural Zionism transcends
political Zionism and embodies the
continuing oneness of Jews and
Judaism in Israel and the Diaspora.

…It was fortunate that the
sound political vision and
program of Theodor Herzl
governed the course of the
(Zionist) movement until the Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver
State was established…But (1893-1963)
Herzl’s political triumph now
paves the way for the vision
which was Achad Ha-am’s – that of a radiating
center in a reconstituted Jewish State which would
also serve as a unifying influence for world Jewry...
The Jewish communities of the Diaspora will look
eagerly for all stimulating influence which might
emanate from Israel. But Diaspora Jewry need not
remain a mere passive recipient of outside cultural
influences. It can become, as indeed so often in the
past it did become, creative in its own right,…

Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, Founder’s Day Address, Hebrew
Union College,1950 in Herbert Weiner, ed. THEREFORE
CHOOSE LIFE, 1974.

Prepared by Dr. Michael Livni, Kibbutz Lotan

Dr. Michael Livni (Max Langer) is a graduate of Habonim,
Vancouver B.C, He is a member of Kibbutz Lotan and a veteran
Zionist educator.

Contact – mmlivni@gmail.com
Website – www.michael-livni.org