Kibbutz Life: Is It For You?

Drawing on our discussion about life on an Israeli kibbutz: 

1) Do you think you could ever live on a kibbutz? Why or Why not? If yes, what kind of a kibbutz do you see yourself living on, in terms of the various models/spectrum of collective vs. individual that we discussed in class. If no, what specific aspects of kibbutz life deter you and why? 

2) If you could design the perfect kibbutz, what would it look like? Include the following: location in Israel, size, religious leanings, main industry(ies), collective vs. individual features. What job on your perfect kibbutz would you want for yourself? 

Theodor Herzl and Anti-Semitism

In Theodor Herzl's The Jewish State, Herzl argues that the creation of a Jewish homeland would lead to an end in anti-Semitism. Reflect on Herzl's thinking and answer the following questions: 

(1) We know that anti-Semitism still exists in the world. Does that mean that Herzl was wrong? Is there a way to view Herzl as being correct despite the continued existence of anti-Semitism? 
(2) What has a Jewish state accomplished in terms of the standing of the Jews in the international community? Give two examples that illustrate your point.  

Post Israeli Elections

Reflecting on Israel's recent elections, please answer the following questions:

(1) How many seats did the parties that you represented in our mock Israeli elections secure in the new Knesset? How does that compare to what your parties received in the 2009 Israeli Elections?
(2) If you were an Israeli citizen eligible to vote, which party would you have voted for and why?
(3) How many parties made it into the Knesset and how many did not?
(4) What feature of Israel's political system do you like best? Why?
(5) What feature of Israel's political system do you like least? Why?