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From Jewish World To Jewish State: Israel And Me
In the previous section of the program, Part
Three, we examined the structure of the Jewish world and questions
that arise out of the Jewish people’s peculiar situation
of being dispersed around the globe. In so doing, we added the
largest circle – the entire Jewish world - to the model
that we had previously constructed, with its family, community
and national community circles surrounding the individual. Throughout
the program, we have sought to examine the relationship between
the individual and each particular circle that we have added.
We have always assumed that the individual stands within these
circles regardless of whether he/she wishes to recognize the fact.
The individual might deny that there is a meaning to the circle
that surrounds him/her, but the circle does exist and the individual
stands inside it.
In Part Four, however, the issue changes. We will now add another
element to the examination: the State of Israel. This circle is
obviously part of the Jewish world but it is by no means clear
whether certain Jews stand inside it. This circle does not necessarily
surround the Diaspora Jew: it is quite possible for a Jew in the
Diaspora to accept that Israel is a part of the Jewish world as
a whole, but to deny any particular connection - meaningful or
otherwise - with it.
For this reason, Israel’s connection to the Jewish world
and of each individual to Israel - as both concept and reality
- is the first question that we will examine. After examining
the group of issues that cluster under the general headline of
‘connection’, we will proceed to assess a number of
specific topics concerning Israel, always allowing the individual
student his/her opinion. Finally, we will return to some more
theoretical issues relating to Israel.
Activities
(Access to activities is possible only from inside the
related background section)
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