Episode 181 - Where Did Zionism Come From? (featuring Avner Boskey)

The longing was ancient. How did the movement become modern? How did “Next year in Jerusalem” become a movement to return? 

We sit down with our friend Avner in Israel to explore the road from Jewish longing for Zion to modern Zionism. 

We discuss the Dreyfus affair, Theodor Herzl, and the different Jewish hopes that gathered around the movement. 

We then follow the conversation through the Balfour Declaration and the founding of Israel before considering Avner’s reading of Ezekiel’s promises of restoration. 

What does grace have to do with Jewish return? How do we care about Israel’s physical safety while praying for spiritual renewal? 

We also ask what standing with Israel means when we recognize that no people or nation is perfect.