Approximately 20 years ago at an AIPAC Policy Conference, I attended one of the breakout sessions to learn a bit more about a detailed topic. The presenter, Professor Ken Stein from Emory University, blew my mind with details and facts that I didn’t know. I sat there taking notes with tons of questions forming in my mind. There were so many of them, I had to write those down as well. After the session, I went up to talk with him and ask some of those questions. It was an inauspicious start of a friendship and professional relationship that lasts until today.
I made it a point to always attend Ken’s sessions at AIPAC. I was amazing that he was the only speaker on Israel that I found nobody had a problem with. They may ask tough questions, but Ken wasn’t trying to do Hasbara (trying to convince somebody you are correct) but rather shared the facts and allowed you to determine your own beliefs. As a result of this, I brought Ken to Seattle and then to Orlando to teach about the history of Israel.
In 2008, Ken created the Center for Israel Education (CIE), a nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about modern State of Israel. Using source documents, CIE provides context to a challenging topic. A number of years ago, I was honored when Ken asked me to join the board of directors and I have been a member ever since.
Each week, CIE provides information that is both timely and interesting. Sometimes it is related to, “This week in Israeli history” while other times it relates to what’s happening in the world. I find it interesting and learn a lot about people and policies that I didn’t know. This week’s information was particularly interesting for two reasons.
The first reason relates to ‘This week in Israeli history’. On Feb. 14, 1896, Vienna journalist Theodor Herzl published 500 copies of a pamphlet entitled “Der Judenstaat” (“The Jewish State”), declaring the need and justice of Jewish sovereignty 18 months before he convened the First Zionist Congress. I’ve been to Israel 20 times and been to Herzl’s grave at least 20 times. It’s a powerful place to visit as he was the person who had the vision of a Jewish state. Whenever I am there, I find myself humbled by his vision and always remember his famous quote, “If you will it, it is no dream.” That quote has inspired me throughout my career.
Theodore Herzl – the founder of Zionism
Interestingly enough, Herzl’s idea wasn’t limited to the middle east or to the historic greater Israel. He merely wanted the Jewish people to have their own land where they were in charge and had self-determination. He wrote about It wasn’t until the First Zionist Congress held in Basel, Switzerland with 200 delegates from across the Jewish world, that the goal to establish a Jewish State in the Land of Israel were explicitly adopted by the new Zionist movement.
Herzl, as a secular Jew and journalist, was inspired by the Dryfuss Affair to find a way to keep Jews safe. It was his vision to have a Jewish State, a homeland, where Jews would be in charge and Jews would be safe. Where Jews would have the power of self-determination. He didn’t care where it was, only that it existed. It was at the First Zionist Congress that non-secular Jews, who understood the tie to the biblical land, ensured that the land would need to be in our historic homeland, not just anywhere.
The Dryfuss Affair on the cover of The New Yorker
Captain Alfred Dryfuss, wrongly convicted because he was a Jew.
It ties to the famous Chaim Weizmann quote. When a member of the House of Lords asked him, “Why do you Jews insist on Palestine when there are so many undeveloped countries you could settle in more conveniently?”
Weizmann answered: “That is like my asking you why you drove twenty miles to visit your mother last Sunday when there are so many old ladies living on your street?”
Wiezmann said, ‘Mr. Balfour, if you were offered Paris instead of London, would you take it?’ … He looked surprised. He said: ‘But London is our own!’ Weizmann said, ‘Jerusalem was our own when London was a marsh.’ He said, ‘That’s true.'”
Dr. Chaim Weizmann, one of the great founders of the State of Israel
Having been to Israel 20 times in my life, there is something special not just because it is a Jewish state and the only place that I am in the majority. Being in Jerusalem and standing at the Kotel is a direct connection to King Solomon. It’s a direct connection to the ‘holy of holies.’ To 5,000+ years of Jewish history.
Being at the Kotel is always such a special feeling
Going to Hebron and visiting the graves of Abraham, Jacob, Sarah, and Leah is a special feeling. (Isaac and Rebeca are also buried there but they are on the Palestinian side so Jews can only go there 10 days a year). I’ll never forget sitting between the graves of Abraham and Sarah as my friend Harry Rothenberg led us in a discussion focused on the text where Sarah was told by God that she would get pregnant when she was 90 years old, and she laughed. We explored not just the story but the love story of Abraham and Sarah. It was incredibly powerful to do this between their graves. It’s something I will never forget.
We also learned that one of times when all of the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs is open to Jews, Christians and non-muslims is during the Shabbat of Chayei Sarah. This is when Sarah dies and is buried in Hebron. There are 40,000-50,000 people who come to spend Shabbat outside the Tomb. They bring in catered meals, tents, and it’s a huge party. Watching the videos of the celebration put this on my bucket list.
In Hebron, the oldest complete building still used for it’s original purpose in the world. Inside are the caves (graves) of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs.
Below is the cave with the grave of Abraham, the patriarch.
Across from the cave of Abraham is the cave of Sarah our matriarch, where Abraham buried her himself.
The grave of Jacob, our patriarch. He wrestled with the angel and got the name Israel. It’s unbelievable to be at his grave.
The grave of Leah, our matriarch. Rachel was buried on the road (her grave is in what is now Bethlehem) while Isaac and Rebecca are on the side controlled by the Palestinians and are only accessible 10 days a year to Jews.
I’ve been the Tomb of Joseph, not too far from Nablus. There is something unique and special being there, knowing his story and how integral he was to the Jewish people. It’s hard to explain the feeling of connection, of thousands of years of history, and of peoplehood that occurred for me there.
The tomb of Joseph in Nablus. When I was there it was packed with Jews praying over his grave.
Being in the Jordan River is another unique experience. This is where our people crossed over to enter the land of Canaan after leaving Egypt. The history and connection is amazing. It was smaller than I expected and reminded me of the Ichetucknee River outside of Gainesville, Florida, that I used to go tubing down in the summer. I had imagined this powerful river that was both wide and deep. It’s the same river my ancestors crossed thousands of years ago as they entered ‘the land of milk and honey’ for the first time.
Rafting down the Jordan River is always fun – on one trip we went with a group of Muslim women who were fully clothed while we were in bathing suits. They started a splash fight with us and we had so much fun with them.
As you drive through Israel you see the field where David slew Goliath. In Tzfat you see the fields where Lecha Dodi was inspired, the mikvah of the Ari, various ancient synagogues. In Akko the excavated buildings from the crusades exist. You can see the Dead Sea Scrolls. It’s a land filled with rich Jewish history everywhere that you turn. That’s what Herzl didn’t understand but was smart enough to listen the First Zionist Congress. It’s why the modern State of Israel is home to all of us. It’s not just a country of Jewish self-determination. It is our historic homeland, our past, present, and future. It is tied to our souls as anybody who has visited there, Jewish or not, will attest. I’m grateful that Herzl listened to the delegates at the First Zionist Conference and wouldn’t accept just anywhere. Israel is my mother that I travel 6,500 miles to visit and it’s worth it every time.
Looking out on the fields in Tzfat. This is what inspired L’cha Dodi and where they would walk out to meet the Shabbat Bride each Friday night.
Looking down at the Mikvah of the Ari from the 1500s. It’s inside the building. He used in the 1500s and I used in in 2021 and 2022. That’s the power of Israel for Jews.
The actual Mikvah itself. The Ari used it in the 1500s, stepping into the same pool (not the same water) as I did in 2021 and 2022.
The second piece of information that I found fascinating goes back to 1993. During the Knesset debate over the Oslo Accords in September 1993, then Foreign Minister Shimon Peres warned that “There are in Gaza this year between 750,000 and 800,000 inhabitants. Within 20 years, there will be almost 2 million residents in the Gaza Strip. The population density leads to violence, the poverty leads to terrorism.” If you read his full remarks, it is fascinating to apply them to today.
I met Shimon Peres more than 20 years (and 70 pounds!) ago. A truly special man and leader.
As Israel continues to respond to the horror of October 7th, there are more than 2 million people in Gaza. Life there has led to violence and terrorism. Hamas, UNWRA, and the UN have contributed to these problems. At a JNF lunch event today, Ambassador Michael Oren told us that Israel is figuring out how many of the terrorists on October 7th were taught at an UNWRA school. I’m afraid to see how high that number will be. UNWRA ignored or allowed the strategic headquarters of Hamas to be built in tunnels under the UNWRA headquarters. The textbooks are filled with antisemitism. Even children’s programming is targeted to hate and kill Jews. The Hamas version of Sesame Street, Tomorrow’s Pioneers, is focused on murdering Jews. This clip blames the Jews for a character cheating in school. Shimon Peres was right about the growth in Gaza and what the consequences would be. October 7th proved him right. The question is how do we move forward from here?
The textbooks provided by UNRWA to the Palestinian/Gazan children are filled with antisemitism and Jew hatred.
In the same warning, Peres stated, “Neither do I propose that we talk of economic cooperation. Why? Because the Arabs believe that the State of Israel wants to dominate the region. We do not want to do the Arabs any favors. I am not even suggesting economic cooperation with the Arabs. All I am telling the Arabs is this: There are problems that will remain unresolved unless we tackle them jointly. We should make a joint effort only when problems are insolvable without such a joint effort.”
Was this Peres foreshadowing the Abraham Accords? The threat of Iran brought Arab countries together to recognize Israel, forever changing the dynamic. The Iranian problem was insolvable without a joint effort. After October 7th, these nations did not abandon Israel. They understand that Iran is the problem and that it’s insolvable without Israel being a part of the solution. Could this be the basis for a new government in Gaza and perhaps the West Bank/Judea and Samaria? Could this be the key to rebuilding Gaza and finally making it into the ‘Singapore of the Middle East’? Could this be the basis for peace and a willingness to live together?
An incredible picture of the signing of the Abraham Accords as more muslim countries recognize and normalize relations with Israel.
I find myself looking to some of the great Israeli leaders of the past for inspiration on a regular basis. David Ben Gurion. Golda Meir. Shimon Peres. Yitzhak Rabin. Moshe Dayan. Menachem Begin.
Picture of Ben Gurion reading the Declaration of Independence in Independence Hall
When I saw this statue of Ben Gurion, I had to get a picture with it. The more I learn about him, the more in awe I am of who he was and what he did.
I think of current Israeli leaders such as Ambassador Michael Oren, Ambassador Ron Dermer, and the many Consul Generals I have had the pleasure to interact with and befriend. We are wise to listen to their insights. Michael Oren has a substack that I now subscribe to. Their words are treasurers.
Michael Oren speaking in Orlando this week at a JNF event. A future blog will talk about what he said.
Talking with and listen to Michael Oren is truly incredible. A brilliant man to learn from
Two of my favorite Ben Gurion quotes are:
“Dare, Persevere, Succeed.”
“Pioneering is refusing to accept reality as it is.”
As I look back at Herzl and at the words of Peres; as I look forward to ‘The Day After’ and the Abraham Accords, these two quotes inspire me for the future of Israel. And they inspire me personally. We change the world by being daring, persevering, and succeeding. And by being pioneers and not accepting reality as it is, we have the opportunity to create a new reality. A new dream. “If you will it, it is no dream. Dare, persevere, succeed. Refusing to accept reality as it is.” Three quotes that sum up Israel and the Jewish people. Three belief systems that will change your life and change the world.
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