What is Zionism?

Zionism, a relatively recent term coined by Nathan Birnbaum in 1891, is the ideology that the Jewish people should return to their national homeland. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, there’s a lot more to it, and the term has become a loaded one in recent years. This video addresses several aspects of Zionism: The Land of Israel and its connection to the Nation of Israel, “flavors” of Zionism (labor, political, religious, cultural), and achievements of Zionism. It also addresses what Zionism is not: merely a reaction to anti-Semitism or a term deserving of condemnation.

Watch this video and use these prompts to help students build their own unique Zionism.

video Transcript