MERCAZ USA Newsletter — Fall 2004

The Herzl Centenary

Mercaz Celebrates Zionism's Founder

One hundred years ago, in July 1904, Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern political Zionism and ideological father of the modern State of Israel, passed away from heart disease at the still young age of 44. One hundred years later, MERCAZ USA is taking a lead role within the Zionist world and the Conservative Movement in marking this important occasion.

First of all, MERCAZ is working to market the new "Herzl: Up Close and Personal" exhibition that has been prepared by the WZO's Department of Zionist Activities in honor of the Herzl Centenary. The interactive modular exhibit is designed for audiences to learn about Herzl, his life and times, and to examine the continuing relevance of Zionism today.

Secondly, MERCAZ is once again making available the 1994 essay "Moses and Herzl" by Dr. David Golinkin, President of the Schechter Institute, that was reprinted in 1997 in the MERCAZ educational kit "Celebrating the Zionist Dream".

In the essay, Golinkin points out a series of comparisons between Herzl and Moses: "Moses had no army and no weapons — he barely had a people — and yet he appeared before Pharaoh, the greatest monarch of his day, and demanded: "Let my people go"! What unmitigated chutzpah! There was no reason for him to succeed, and yet, succeed he did. Herzl was just as insane. He traveled to Constantinople in June of 1896. The Sultan at that time owed Turkey's creditors the incredible sum of 106 million points. Herzl let it be known that if the Jews were given Palestine as an independent state, they would undertake the regulation and normalization of Turkish finances ... There was only one hitch — Herzl did not have a penny in his pocket nor... [financers for] the scheme. Again, what chutzpah, and again he succeeded nonetheless."

Thirdly, MERCAZ is publicizing the newly revised Jerusalem Program that was passed at the most recent June meetings of the World Zionist Organization's General Council (Va"ad HaPoel). As Rabbi Vernon Kurtz, MERCAZ USA President, notes elsewhere in this current newsletter, without the role that MERCAZ played, it is doubtful that the updated Zionist credo would have been adopted.

"Those religiously to our left," said Rabbi Kurtz "were insistent that the explicit language of religious pluralism be included in the statement; otherwise, despite the implicit reference to the value of pluralism in the proposed formulation, they saw no positive value in amending the existing Jerusalem Program. At the same time, those religiously to our right were just as adamant that there be no such explicit reference, even though they were prepared to acknowledge the implicit existence of Jewish pluralism."

It was, therefore, left to the MERCAZ representatives to help craft, and then sell, compromise language for the new statement. Finally, the following formulation was proposed: "strengthening Israel as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state and shaping it as an exemplary society with a unique moral and spiritual character, marked by mutual respect for the multi-faceted Jewish People, rooted in the vision of the prophets, striving for peace and contributing to the betterment of the world." With this language, the new Jerusalem Program, the platform of the World Zionist Organization and only the third such formulation in the organization's 107-year history, was adopted.

Finally, MERCAZ USA is dedicating this year's MERCAZ USA/Canada-Women's League for Conservative Judaism Essay Contest to honor Herzl on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his death. The competition, which coincides with the biennial Women's League convention, is geared for students, ages 14-19, whose families are members of Conservative congregations. Five scholarships, ranging from $250 to $1000, are awarded for use on any Conservative Movement approved Israel program.

Rather than provide an opportunity merely to praise Herzl, this year's essay questions have been formulated to force students to confront the Zionist ideologue and evaluate, within a 500-word essay, the continued relevance of Herzl's insights vis-à-vis the Jewish Question, anti-Semitism or terrorism. The essay contest's guidelines are being distributed through the United Synagogue's Department of Youth Activities and are also available from the MERCAZ USA and MERCAZ Canada offices. The deadline for participation is October 15th, with the announcement of the five winners taking place during the course of the Women's League convention, November 14-17, 2004, in Orlando FL.

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