EXPLORING ZIONISM WITH EINAT WILF: A NEW BOOK GROUP

Lately I’ve been leaning more and more into topics of Jewish identity and Jewish history. As Humanistic Jews, these are two of the primary ways by which we are tied to our people, heritage, and culture. As I’ve shared recently in these commentaries and elsewhere, throughout my life and career, one of the strongest connections I’ve experienced to Jewish peoplehood has been through the state of Israel. As I’ve been speaking more and more about my points of view, I’ve been approached to expand on them; to share more of what I and others like me—I suppose it’s correct to call us liberal Zionists—have learned about Israel’s history

With that in mind, I’m excited to announce a new book group that I’ll be facilitating over the summer and possibly beyond. I've chosen to focus on learning more about this topic through the thoughtful and sometimes provocative work of someone with whom I generally agree, someone whose intellectual journey has closely mirrored my own, Dr. Einat Wilf.

In choosing her books, I hope to create an opportunity to explore the complexities of Zionism, Israeli history, and the ongoing challenges facing the Jewish state through the lens of someone who has dedicated her life to these issues, and who brings a perspective that is both supportive and critical in the best sense of the word.

Who is Einat Wilf?

Dr. Einat Wilf

Einat Wilf is a former member of Israel’s Knesset who served with the Labor Party. She is also a leading voice in modern Zionist thought. Her unique place in today’s discourse rests on the fact that she is both deeply committed to liberal values and unapologetically supportive of Israel’s right to exist as the homeland of the Jewish people.

Her background is fascinating. She has served as an intelligence officer in the IDF, earned degrees from Harvard and Cambridge, and has spent years challenging assumptions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, both within Israel and abroad.

But I believe that what makes her particularly compelling is her insistence that we cannot understand the lack of peace without fully grappling with the Palestinian leadership’s rejection of Jewish sovereignty. This, she believes, is what keeping Palestinians and Israelis at war.

Dr. Wilf is far from a hardliner. She clearly acknowledges the pain and reality of Palestinian lives. Her belief that Zionism is not just a Jewish idea, but a universal one, leads her to also support the right of every people to determine their own future. I have found her to be both passionate and principled.

About the Books

I plan to begin with her most important works.

Our first book will be The War of Return, co-authored with Adi Schwartz. It examines the Palestinian refugee issue and how Palestinian demand for a “right of return” has become one of the greatest obstacles to peace. It’s a book that challenges many widely accepted narratives and calls for a rethinking of international policies that have, in the authors' view, prolonged the conflict.

Her second book, We Should All Be Zionists, is a collection of essays that presents Zionism as a movement for liberation and equality. It is both personal and political, arguing that the Jewish people, like any other, deserves sovereignty and dignity in our ancestral homeland. She writes passionately about what Zionism means in today’s world, and why it remains essential—not only for Jews but as a model for others.

I chose these books because I share many of Dr. Wilf’s perspectives. I decided to offer this opportunity because I believe her ideas provide a valuable chance for us to dig deeper and to question widely held assumptions. This is crucial at a time when everyday Jews are being inundated with the worst—and yes, often dangerously antisemitic—caricatures of Israel’s story. I believe that the only way to counteract this trend is by sharing facts through the eyes of someone who believes in Israel's promise (as I do) even as she holds it honestly accountable (as I have always done).

About the Group – A Space for Learning

From what I've noted above, it should be clear that this book group is for those who want to learn more about Israel and Zionism from a supportive perspective. It will not be a place to debate whether Israel should exist. While Humanistic Jews are entitled to a range of views, and our congregation has, from time to time, hosted differing voices, this will not be one of those forums.

Instead, this is a space to explore what it means to be a Zionist today—what it means to believe, as I do, and as Einat Wilf does, in the most basic underlying definition of Zionism: that the Jewish people are entitled, as much as any other people, to sovereignty in our  ancient homeland. This means that, while our discussions will be open, they will take place within a framework of respect for Israel’s right to exist and thrive.

(This shouldn't be hard to imagine. As Americans we are consumed by energetic and passionate critiques of our own government, something we all manage to do without questioning the very existence of the United States!)

We will not ignore difficult issues. We will absolutely acknowledge the realities faced by Palestinians. We will not ignore suffering or hardship. But we will also be clear-eyed about the failures of Palestinian leadership and the unique challenges that Israel has faced—and continues to face—in seeking peace.

Join Us

While we will begin with Einat Wilf’s books, if there’s interest, we may continue with Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn by my teacher Daniel Gordis, an accessible and powerful look at Israel’s past and present.

Finally, a couple of program notes. First of all, this will be an in-person group. Zoom participants are welcome, though their participation may be more limited due to the format. Secondly, since I will be traveling during the summer (and participants will need time to do the reading!) we will probably begin with a slightly irregular schedule. We will launch it in June and then determine the remaining sessions.

If you’re interested in learning more, thinking deeply, and exploring Israel from a place of care, curiosity, and commitment, I invite you to join me.

Look for our launch date and time in the next newsletter!