Gordis - Israel a concise history of a nation reborn

CONTENTS

BUILDING AND AGRICULTURE

Working the land and building the Yishuv were central to the ethos of early Zionism.

Men working a field in 1932. Daniel Kaplan, Israel Government Press Office

Building Tel Aviv Gymnasium (high school). Central Zionist Archives

The plow breaks through. Central Zionist Archives

Men constructing a tower and stockade (homa u-migdal) settlement. Central Zionist Archives

HEBREW WRITERS

Renewing the Hebrew language was a central project of early Zionism, and Hebrew writers were widely revered as the voices of a reemerging nation.

Learn Hebrew! Central Zionist Archives

The purple 50 nis bill featured Shai Agnon, Israels first Nobel Laureate. 2014 The Bank of Israel

Agnon was later replaced on the 50 nis bill, but by another writer, the poet Saul Tchernichovsky. 2014 The Bank of Israel

Eliezer Ben-Yehuda surrounded by books. Central Zionist Archives

Hayim Nachman Bialik at his desk. Central Zionist Archives

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

Illegal immigrationin defiance of British restrictionswas critical in the early years, both to save Jews fleeing Europe as well as to amass a population sufficient for creating a viable state.

British soldiers carefully watch a ship approaching with illegal immigrants. Central Zionist Archives

Pulling an immigrant boat into shore. Central Zionist Archives

Immigrants arrive on boat. Central Zionist Archives

This Zionist poster shows a new muscular Jew helping European Jewish survivors reach shore. Central Zionist Archives

IMAGES OF THE NEW JEW

Early Zionism was focused on the creation of a new Jew who, unlike the Jews of Europe, could shape his or her own future. These early Zionist posters illustrate the focus on the new, muscular Jew, and weave together images of Jews who both work the land and defend it.

Join the Army! Central Zionist Archives

Rifle and Hammer. Central Zionist Archives

Redemption of Nation and Humankind. Central Zionist Archives

Shoulder to Shoulder Gun and Shovel. Central Zionist Archives

DECLARING INDEPENDENCE

Israels independence was seen as one of the most transformative moments in all of Jewish history.

David Ben-Gurion just moments before declaring the new state on May 14, 1948. Frank Shershel, Israel Government Press Office

A tally sheet the Zionist delegation used at the UN during the vote on Partition (later signed by many dignitaries). Israel State Archive

Crowds celebrate and dance in Palestine after the vote. Central Zionist Archives

A telegram from Chaim Weizmann to President Harry Truman pleading for his help in ensuring that the motion for Partition would pass. Courtesy of Yad Chaim Weizmann, The Weizmann Archives, Rehovot, Israel

PEOPLE WHO MADE IT HAPPEN

Among the shapers of Israels story were fascinating and passionate men and women, religious and secular Jews, scientists and generals, writers and politicians. They developed the ideas behind Zionism, advocated for the movement in international circles, built Israels democracy and infrastructure, led its military and turned from enemies of Israel to peacemakers. These are but a few of the most central figures.

Theodor Herzl visits Palestine. The tuxedos illustrate the chasm between Herzls imagination the realities of Palestine. Israel Government Press Office

Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook meets with nonreligious Jews. Central Zionist Archives