Zionism isn’t … Zionism is.

It would seem that lots of folks (Jewish and not, Jewishly educated and not) are very confused as to what Zionism is and isn’t.

First, I offer this text study and this discussion guide for folks that are interested in digging into the concept a bit more through an historical and modern text/commentary lens.

Zionism isn’t a 1948 (or anywhere near that time) idea.

Zionism is a longing to be living and thriving as a community in our ancestral homeland which is documented in Psalm 137: “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat, sat and wept, as we thought of Zion….”

Zionism isn’t the belief that Jews want to eliminate (exterminate) anyone not-Jewish inside the land or out of it.

Zionism is the belief that Jews are entitled to a safety net in our ancestral homeland. Many non-Jews are also Zionists, sharing in this belief of Jewish self-determination.

Zionism isn’t the belief that Jews have no desire to share that land with others.

Zionism encompasses the belief that without the existence of Israel, the existence of Jews is a stake.

Zionism in an implemented form is not pre-determined, is malleable, negotiable, and translates into a continuum of belief of what Israel is and should be.

Zionism cannot be uncoupled from Judaism. It is inextricably linked to our history, our prayers, our texts, our peoplehood, our identity. Those who loudly proclaim their anti-Zionist Judaism are a minority who are living outside the lines of vast majority of mainstream Jews.

Anti-Zionism is deeply rooted in JewHate (aka antisemitism).

Zionism will not cease to exist no matter how much vitriol is aimed as the Jewish people.