Zionism I: Historical Context for the Emergence of Zionism

If Moses Mendelssohn, Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch and the Chatam Sofer were all to come to your house for Shabbos dinner and you were able to ask each of them two questions, what would you ask?

Zionism II: Ze'ev Jabotinsky and Revisionist Zionism

Read and listen to the Betar anthem at:http://www.saveisrael.com/jabo/jabobetar.htm and post answers to the following questions:

1) What images does the music evoke?
2) What themes emerge from the lyrics?
3)  Based on our discussion in class about Betar, is this anthem appropriate for the youth group? Why or why not?

Zionism II: Tefilla L'Shlom HaMedina/Prayer for the Welfare of State of Israel

Every Shabbat, many shuls read the Tefilla L'Shlom HaMedina which opens: "Heavenly Father, Israel’s Rock and Redeemer, bless the State of Israel, the first flowering of our redemption.." Please read remarks given by Rabbi Yaakov Bieler about this tefilla:  http://www.kmsynagogue.org/RabbiSpeeches/5764/Geulatainu.html Please respond to the following:

1) Give two reasons why Rabbi Ariel (as cited by Rabbi Bieler) considers our era to be the "pre-Messianic" age.
2) Give two difficulties, according to Rabbi Bieler, of why it is hard to call our current era "pre-Messianic."
3) Give two things, according to Rabbi Bieler, that we can do to jump start the Messianic age.
4) Do you think the modern State of Israel marks the early stirrings of the Messianic era? Why or why not?

Instructions: Answers to Questions 1-3 should be sent to me via e-mail while the answer to Question 4 should be posted on the blog.

Zionism I: Shlomzion HaMalka/Queen Salome Alexandra

In class, we briefly discussed the reign of Hasmonean Queen Salome Alexandra during the second period of Jewish sovereignty. Research this female leader online and post answers to the following questions:

1) Why is Salome Alexandra viewed favorably?
2) What specific meritorious policies did she adopt?
3) Who was her brother?
4) Who were the Pharisees and what was her connection to them?
5) Do you see any similarities between Salome Alexandra and Ezra and Nechemia? If yes, what are they?

Zionism I and II: The Release of Gilad Shalit

The State of Israel and world Jewry share in the joy of the release of Gilad Shalit. By releasing Shalit, Israel fulfilled its commitment to never abandoning its soldiers and expressed the value of the life of one Jew. Unfortunately, Israel had to pay a very steep price for his release. Please comment on the following:
1) If you were Prime Minister Netanyahu, what would you have done? Why?
2) If Gilad was your brother, what would you have asked the Prime Minister of Israel to do?
3) What lessons do you take home from the Gilad Shalit episode?

Zionism II: Leading Personalities in Religious Zionism: Who Would You Take to Starbucks?

In class we had presentations and discussions about leading personalities in Religious Zionism (Rabbis Mohilever, Pines, Reines, Bar Ilan and Kook) 1) If you could meet and have coffee with one of these leaders, which one would it be and why? 2) Which two ideas of the leader you chose speak to you the most and why?

Zionism I: Eretz Yisrael in Jewish Consciousness

In class we discussed the different ways that the land of Israel is part of our collective "Jewish consciousness." 1) How do you, personally, incorporate Israel into your Jewish consciousness? 2) In what way (s) would you like to deepen your Israel consciousness? 3) Think of an Israel-related experience that you have had that made a deep impact/imprint on you. What was the experience? Why was it so meaningful? How does it continue to impact you today?