opinions & letters
My 20th Anniversary in Zionism:
A Brief Look Back, a Sustained
Look Ahead
BY STEVE FELDMAN
W hat does it mean to be a Zionist today?
What is it like to be a proponent of a
movement; a cause; an idea that international
media, Jew-haters and others would lead one to
believe is despised throughout most of the world
— although you know that it is a righteous and
noble movement, cause and idea?
These are questions to consider as I have
reached my 20th anniversary as a “professional
Zionist.” It was July of 2002 when I began working for
the Zionist Organization of America. BDS had yet
to be unleashed; the destructive, anti-Jewish tac-
tic of “intersectionality” was still the positive “coa-
lition-building” that helped Jews and our allies;
anti-Zionist/anti-Israel activities and rhetoric were
unwelcome on most American campuses and in
Congress; and efforts to weaken and delegitimize
Israel and Zionism from within Jewry were rare
and its practitioners were outcasts.

Theodor Herzl’s dream that there would be an
internationally recognized Jewish state where
one had existed millennia ago and where it must
be located again — known as political Zionism
— had been fulfilled on May 14, 1948 when Israel
declared its independence, but the Zionist mis-
sion was not completed.

I was determined to see to it that Zionism — the
liberation and social justice movement for Jewish
self-determination in a nation of our own in our
rightful homeland — thrive and be perpetuated,
and that support for Israel and Jewish communi-
ties throughout Israel be strong and secure.

My determination continues and, in many
respects, the persistence of opponents of Zionism,
Israel and Jewry has compelled me to be at least
as persistent.

Imagine crossing the finish line of a race — only
to be told that the finish line has been moved
further away again and again, so you must keep
running or pedaling, swimming or driving. This is
the frustration every Zionist faces. In short:
• The territory for a restored Jewish homeland
promised by world powers and then by the
League of Nations was reduced by 78% (to
create what became the Arab kingdom of
Jordan) -- with continuing demands to reduce
Israel further to create a Palestinian-Arab
state in Israel’s midst.

• Israel survived Arab wars of annihilation
waged against her in 1948, 1956, 1967 and
1973, plus nonstop Palestinian-Arab murders
and terrorism. Ongoing campaigns to weaken
and delegitimize Israel and to deny Jewish
history and rights are pervasive in media,
education, governments and within interna-
tional bodies and forums.

• The United Nations voted that Zionism is
“a form of racism and racial discrimination.”
Though this despicable lie was revoked,
efforts to eliminate Zionism and Israel con-
tinue. • Looming is the existential danger of Iran
developing nuclear weapons, with its vow to
“wipe Israel off the map.”
Israel is the only country where world lead-
ers and politicians to this day feel compelled to
announce “I support Israel’s right to exist” as
though it is still in doubt.

It is clear to see why a Zionist’s work is never
done. This work must include proactively stating
clearly what Zionism actually is; what Israel is; how
the two are intertwined; and that both are essen-
tial to the Jewish People and the Jewish religion.

The Jewish people have a heritage to be proud
of and rights we must exercise; Zionists have a
history to be proud of; Israel has a list of achieve-
ments and efforts to improve the world that is
unparalleled given its tiny size, relative newness
and persistent threats.

It is essential that this information reach all
Jewish eyes, ears, hearts and minds to rebuild
Jewish unity on Israel and Zionism. It is crucial
that it also reach non-Jews. We must emphasize
reaching younger segments of both populations.

We must use brief videos and new media, comic
books and graphic novels, trading cards, pop cul-
ture and electronic games.

Zionism is and must remain an eternal move-
ment so that Israel can remain an eternal Jewish
state with an undivided Jerusalem as its capital.

For as long as there will be Jewish people, this
desire and need to have a homeland; to be able
to perform mitzvot that can only be done in Israel
and/or when a majority of the world’s Jews live in
Israel; and to have a refuge will always exist.

Zionism is more than a concept. Its ultimate
fulfillment is living in Israel, and as the League of
Nations declared in its Mandate for Palestine 100
years ago: that Jews participate through “close
settlement of the land.” With the dedication and
hard work by me and my colleagues, lay lead-
ers, volunteers and others of good will — and, of
course, G-d’s blessing — the Zionist movement
and the Jewish state of Israel will continue to
flourish. JE
Steve Feldman is executive director of the Greater
Philadelphia Chapter of the Zionist Organization
of America.

letters Story Left Out Part of History
I enjoyed Sasha Rogelberg’s piece on Beth Sholom
Congregation (“Beth Sholom Congregation
Celebrates Storied Roots,” June 8). However, I
was disappointed that there was no mention of
Beth Sholom’s merger (acquisition) of the West
Oak Lane Jewish Community Center. Isn’t that
also a part of Beth Sholom’s history?
I grew up attending the JCC, where I had my bar
mitzvah, and where I attended services before it
“merged” with Beth Sholom. At one time, it was
a strong, vibrant temple and an important part of
Jewish Philadelphia. Unfortunately, it was forced
to close because of “problems” in the neighbor-
hood, and it was taken over by Beth Sholom.

Indeed, in all the years that I have been reading
the Exponent, I cannot recall any mention of the
West Oak Lane JCC, which was an important part
of my life and my family’s life. It is almost like it
never existed. Sad.

Jeffrey Philip Paul
Lancaster Rabbi Was Right
The opinions expressed by Rabbi Charles Arian
(“How Voluntary Were Those Voluntary Prayers?”,
July 7) were spot on. I wonder if the justices on
the Supreme Court would have issued the same
ruling had the coach been Jewish. JE
Abbe Miller Pescatore
Havertown Letters should be related to articles that have run in the print or
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prior to publication. Please include your first and last name, as
well your town/neighborhood of residence. Send letters to
letters@jewishexponent.com. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
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