The Zionist Revolution
The Zionist Revolution (TZR) Olami participants accent their nine months in Israel with one week each in France and the Czech Republic, Morocco and Ethiopia.
France and the Czech Republic: learning about the progression of the Zionist revolution that brought about the modern State of Israel, the journey begins with the Emancipation which allowed Jews to be accepted as free and equal citizens of France like all other citizens. Theodor Herzl was a newspaper reporter when the sensational Dreyfus Affair occurred and he wrote about the story. The Dreyfus Affair became the impetus for Herzl’s claim that the Jewish people, despite allegedly being accepted in Europe, needed to have a country of their own. The Zionist journey of TZR continues in Eastern Europe. Most of the ideas that are commonly associated with the founding of the State of Israel arose from this part of the world. Olami will visit the Czech Republic learning about the unique contributions of this large community to Zionist history. This segment will also examine the impact of the Holocaust on the Zionist movement in Eastern Europe and the role that Zionists played in fighting the Nazis. Sites may include:
- Eiffel tower
- Place Trocadero
- Place saint Michel and Noter Dame
- Jewish Quarter in Prague and the Maharal grave
- Theresienstadt
Morocco: the role of the Sephardi Jewish community whose desire to one day return to Israel was long standing throughout history.
TZR participants will focus their studies of the Sephardi Zionist experience on the Jews who lived in Moslem countries and will specifically explore the community in Morocco, which was the largest community prior to their aliyah. Despite their rich history in Morocco and the wealth and security that they enjoyed there, in the 1950’s and 1960’s the majority of the Moroccan Jewish community left Morocco for France and the young State of Israel. Moroccan Jews are one of the largest ethnic groups in Israel today and have contributed tremendously to Israeli society. Sites may include:
- The big Hammam in Marrakesh
- synagogue Ibn Danan
- the souk of Meknes
- gates of Bab El Mansour
- Activities with the Jewish Scouts of Casablanca
Ethiopia: there are many theories about the origins of the Ethiopian Jewish community, but it is clear that they always longed to return to Zion. Living in a rural, poverty-stricken, and isolated part of Ethiopia, they could not conceptualize Israel as a modern reality and it was not until the 1980’s that a decision was made to rescue the Ethiopian Jewish community on a massive scale. While tens of thousands have been brought to Israel over the years, there still remains in Ethiopia a large group called the Falasha Mura who are only being brought to Israel slowly. While in Ethiopia, Olami students will explore the complicated history of the Falasha Mura and the struggle in Ethiopia between Christianity and Judaism. Sites may include:
- Queen of Sheba’s Palace
- Tsion Mariam church, (where the Ark of Covenant is said to be housed)
- Blue Nile Falls
- Beta Israel compound in Gondar
- Meeting with the Israeli Ambassador
TZR students deepen their appreciation of Zionist history and the people and events that shaped the Israel of today. By appreciating the mosaic that makes up the State of Israel, participants feel more strongly connected to their homeland. Year Course TZR brings to life the revolutionary and amazing history of the Zionist movement.
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