Learn about Herzl, Learn about Yourself
In June 2010, at the 36th World Zionist Congress, the WZO introduced innovative kit of educational materials for use in formal and informal settings.
Journey with Herzl (for ages 13 – adult)
The educational kit entitled A Journey with Herzl is comprised of a facilitator’s handbook and instructions for the implementation of four workshops. The guide includes texts excerpted from Herzl’s writings, which can be used to challenge participants to imagine the sort of Israel they would like to see come into being, to consider what role they might have in bringing that about, and to examine the personal meaning of Jewish statehood in their own lives. also included in this kit is a 14 minute video from the Herzl Museum, and worksheets (easily duplicated) for participants. Materials are appropriate for use with ages 13 to adult.
Journey with Herzl Educational Kit | Price: $36.00
On Herzl’s Mind (educational game)
Never content to focus only on the immediate exigencies of the Zionist movement, Herzl was always imagining as well what the Jewish State he dreamed of would one day look like. “On Herzl’s Mind” is an interactive educational kit based on a color poster, which graphically illustrates the profusion of Herzl’s ideas and a set of cards with images capturing those ideas, a complementary set of excerpts from his writings, and background material intended for the workshop’s facilitator. In the activity itself, half the group is given a card with one of the images emanating from Herzl’s extraordinary imagination and the other half a card with a quotation from his utopian novel, Altneuland. Participants set off to match one with the other, learning about Herzl and his vision in the process.
On Herzl’s Mind | Price: $18.00
Both items purchased and bundled together | Price: $50.00
All prices include shipping within the continental United States only. For shipping to other countries please call or email.
A Travelling Exhibit About Herzl
Herzl: Up Close and Personal:In Pursuit of the Zionist Vision
About the Exhibit| Order the Exhibit | About Herzl
- Downloading the files below requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download Adobe Acrobat here.
- One-Page Exhibition Guide
The 24 page Visitor’s Guide looks at each of the exhibit’s major themes, puts the theme in an historical context, examines the major issues addressed in the exhibition and provides some simple exercises to engage the visitor in the issues raised. | Download - 24-Page Visitors’ Guide | Download
- PowerPoint Presentation About the Exhibit | Download
The Herzl Exhibition Guide is a handbook for educators and youth leaders which contains programming materials and resources for five 2-hour sessions. Purchase here.
Reinvigorate yourself and recharge your activist batteries on October 8th-10th at the Green Israel Summit 4: Green Renewal Shabbat at Eden Village Camp! As we read about the Biblical flood and the renewal of the earth on Shabbat Noach, we will learn how to renew ourselves and the environment.
Keynoting the event will be Naomi Tsur, Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem. Naomi heads the city’s environment, urban-planning and historic-conservation committees. This is only her second year in office, but Naomi already has made significant contributions to Jerusalem’s environment by developing a circuit of city bike paths, limiting private-car use in the Old City and initiating a dialogue with Palestinians about how best to handle waste.
Celebrate Shabbat Noach with stories, lectures and discussions in a welcoming, pluralistic setting. Explore the Jewish back-to-the-land movement and what Zionism means today. Learn about energy conservation, population growth, suburban sprawl, Negev preservation, and environmentalism during a time of war. Meet other young Jewish environmentalists from across North America.
The Green Israel Summit is a program of the Green Zionist Alliance. It is co-sponsored by the American Zionist Movement COEJL and Hazon.
The Green Dream: Herzl, Zionism and Israel’s Environment
Dr. Alon Tal, a leading Israeli environmentalist, gave a provocative and, at times, disturbing presentation before the American Zionist Movement on June 28th.
Dr. Tal focused on a few of the many critical challenges facing Israel and her environment. Stark facts indicate multiple errors made in the past, which led Israel to the position she is in now. These errors include the decision by early Zionists to drain the Hula, the failure to sufficiently protect Israel’s rivers and streams from pollutants, and the first plan following the War of Independence which led to a horizontal approach to Israel’s urban and rural development. Presented in their historical context, it is clear that, though some of these decisions were appropriate for Israel’s early years and political needs, there is a demand for significant change in light of population growth, climate change and other current environmental trends.
The lecture was fact-filled and engrossing. For those who missed Dr. Tal in person, you can view selected elements of his presentation below and on AZM’s YouTube channel. See photos from the event by viewing the picture gallery below.
The program was sponsored by the American Zionist Movement and the Green Zionist Alliance, with the co-sponsorship of COEJL and the Jewish National Fund.
To see more of Alon’s presentation before AZM please visit the AZM YouTube Channel. Subjects addressed by Alon include water, land use and open spaces, and demography.
Funding for the event was provided in part by the Dorothy and Harold Greenwald Foundation.
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Celebrate Theodor Herzl on the 150th Anniversary of His Birth
MISSION OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE ZIONIST CAUSE
A JOURNEY WITH HERZL IN PURSUIT OF THE ZIONIST IDEA:
See photos from the event, which took place April 14 – 20, 2010.
HERZL UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: TRAVELING EXHIBITION
I truly believe that even after we possess our land, Zionism will not cease to be an ideal. For Zionism includes not only the yearning for a plot of promised land legally acquired for our weary people, but also the yearning for ethical and spiritual fulfillment.
Now, 150 years after Herzl was born, it is up to a new generation to embrace this visionary’s legacy and it its own. This exhibition rich in archival visuals and thought-provoking text, was produced with that objective in mind. It is not only about Herzl; it is about how contemporary Jews might shape their personal relationship to Israel and the Jewish people. This exhibit is available for rental; for more information visit here.
THE ZIONIST SHEKEL
Click for larger image
It was Herzl’s way of inviting the entire Jewish world to express support for the Zionist idea, and enabling all who wished to take an active role in the Zionist enterprise to do so. In honor of his 150th birthday, the WZO will issue a limited edition, beautifully designed Zionist Shekel note capturing the excitement of the early days of the movement as well as the challenges that Herzl’s legacy demands we still meet.
Learn more about the shekel certificate.
Materials to Celebrate Israel’s 61st Anniversary
American Zionist Movement | World Zionist Organization | ARZA |
Jewish National Fund | Hadassah | MERCAZ | Israeli Consulate | Other
AZM
Israel at the Movies: Your Guide to 8 Israeli Films
Celebrate Israel by exploring important themes in Israeli society – through eight easily-accessible Israeli movies. This guide provides background information, activities and questions for discussion for your synagogue, community center, class, film group, Israel club or group of friends.
| Read more
Ideas for Yom Hazikaron
We remember those men and women who gave their lives for a free and secure Jewish Homeland by observing Yom Hazikaron each year. Here are some suggestions and materials for commemorative programs and ceremonies. | Read more
WZO | Visit
Fulfilling the Dream: Celebrating 60 Years of Israel’s Challenges and Achievements
This special exhibit contrasts early scenes of the State of Israel with modern scenes using a hologram form of photography. A joint venture of the Department for Zionist Activities (WZO) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel. Available immediately after Passover. | If your organization, community center, or synagogue is interested in displaying this exhibit in honor of Israel@60, please contact AZM at azm@azm.org.
ARZA | Visit
One Heart, Two Homes
ARZA’s five-session adult education program that addresses the deep, personal issues surrounding the question, “Why should I, an American Reform Jew, have a relationship with Israel?” | More information
Faces of Reform Aliyah
ARZA’s Educational Kit with materials designed to engage congregations with authentic and familiar stories and to expose them to a unique dimension of Reform involvement in Israel.
| More information
18 Ideas ARZA Can Share with Your Congregation
ARZA can help you organize sessions to deepen your connection with Israel, with these creative ways to expand your congregation’s Israel programming. Assistance can range from a quick phone consultation, on-going consultation for new Israel/ARZA committees or a congregational visit from a lay or professional leaders. | View Ideas
The Reform Israel Experience: A Guide to Programs and Organizations to Engage with Israel
ARZA created this guide in order to encapsulate the Reform Israel Experience in an easy-to-use encyclopedia of programs and organizations geared toward Reform Jews and Israel. | View Guide
Hadassah | Visit
Israel Is
Hadassah’s multi-faceted program which showcases the side of Israel not often covered by the media. | More information
JNF | Visit
JNF Educational Programs
JNF provides programs and materials for students ranging from elementary school through college, synagogues and their leaders. Programs include Blue Box Bob, Yom Ha’atzmaut Israel Independence Day, GoNeutral Education Programs, Caravan for Democracy and Speakers’ Bureau. | Learn more
MERCAZ | Visit
Celebrating a Green Israel
A special program guide about the State of Israel’s environment, complete with suggested activities appropriate for different age groups.| View Program
The Road to Sixty
The Conservative Movement’s new program of study and celebration for use beginning in November, but suitable throughout the year. | View Program (PDF)
Celebrating the Zionist Dream: Educational Package
A synagogue activity kit and a 40-page book of essays suitable for adult education from the Conservative Movement. Includes “If You Will It” (PDF), a dramaticization of Zionist issues. | More information
Service to Celebrate Yom Yerushalayim
Chanukah at the AZM
AZM wishes you and your family a Hanukkah filled with happiness and peace.
By lighting the Chanukah candles, you are united not only with family and friends with whom you share the special moment, but also with Jews around the world also celebrating the Festival of Lights. This Chanukah, take time to reflect on the power of this connection and our responsibility to each other, especially to those who place themselves in harm’s way to protect our nation and its people.
Chanukah Heroes
Chanukah is the Holiday of Light. As you gather with your friends and family to light the Chanukah candles, take a moment to reflect on the heroes who are the Lights of Israel – and what we can learn from their Jewish and Zionist values.
A Zionist Chanukah
Download and print this file | View online
Each night, have in your thoughts a different aspect of Zionism which has built the State of Israel into the nation it is today and which will continue as its foundation into the future.
Remember the Soldiers
Download and print this file | View online
This Chanukah, AZM calls upon Jews to remember Israel’s abducted soldiers. Each night, as you kindle the Hanukkah candles, we ask you to think about a different soldier. AZM has provided a paragraph about each for you to read aloud. We urge you also to share the concept and the materials with your family and friends.
While you are shopping for holiday gifts, please consider giving dogtags engraved with the abducted soldiers’ names and other Zionist gifts available here.
Four More Sons, Four More Questions
Freedom is the central theme of the Passover seder. It echoes and re-echoes throughout the Haggadah. On this Passover, Ron Arad, Zachary Baumel, Zvi Feldman, Yehuda Katz, Guy Hever, Gilad Shalit, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser are not free. They remain captive, their fates unknown. Our hearts ache for them and for their families, and on their behalf we add four additional questions to our Seder tonight.
- Why are these sons different from all other sons?
These four sons were taken prisoner while bravely fighting for the safety and security of Israel and her People. - Why are these prisoners different from other prisoners?
These prisoners have been wantonly denied all human rights which are guaranteed under international law. They have been treated not as prisoners of war, but rather as hostages. They have been allowed no access whatsoever to their families, their country, nor any human rights groups. - Why are these hostages different from other hostages?
These hostages continue to be held even though all other Western hostages being held in Lebanon were freed years ago. We have no knowledge of the conditions under which they are held. In truth, we do not know whether they are still alive. - Why do we raise the issue of these Israeli soldiers who are “missing-in-action” on Passover?
Of all the Jewish holidays, Passover is the one that truly represents freedom. If there is even one Jew who is being denied freedom, we must all raise our voices on her behalf.
Just as we have done throughout our history, so too, today we must come to the aid of fellow Jews. We dedicate this Seder to Ron Arad, Zachary Baumel, Zvi Feldman, Yehuda Katz, Guy Hever, Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. We will continue to work toward their release from captivity, and, if our voices are strong enough, perhaps next year we will not have to repeat these extra four questions.
AZM Purim Connection 2009
Bring a Smile to a Child’s Face
Build a Bridge to an IDF Soldier
Girl in Sderot delights in an AZM Purim Gift with Marty Davis, director general of the Department for Zionist Activity
For the Jews there was Light, Gladness, Joy and Honor — so may it be for us
Purchase Purim Basket for
An Israeli Child
($18 per basket):
Purchase Purim Basket for
An Injured Israeli Child
($36 per basket):
Soldiers of the Venus tank company smile with their AZM Purim Baskets
Purchase Purim Basket for
An Israeli Soldier
($54 per basket):
Purchase Purim Basket for
An Injured Israeli Soldier
($180 per basket):
I wish to support the Purim Connection and the AZM with a contribution of:
All donations must be received by February 27, 2009.
Learn More About AZM’s Purim Connection
View Photo Gallery from Last Year’s AZM Purim Connection
Yom Yerushalayim
IDF paratroopers at the Western Wall, 1967
Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) commemorates the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967. It is an Israeli national holiday.
Yom Yerushalayim takes place on 28 Iyar (June 2, 2008).
