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Reclaiming Judaism from Zionism: Stories of Personal Transformation Paperback – May 8, 2019

by Carolyn L. Karcher (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 29 ratings
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Today Jews face a choice. We can be loyal to the ethical imperatives at the heart of Judaism—love the stranger, pursue justice, and repair the world. Or we can give our unconditional support to the state of Israel. It is a choice between Judaism as a religion and the nationalist ideology of Zionism, which is usurping that religion. In this powerful collection of personal narratives, thirty-nine Jews of diverse backgrounds tell a wide range of stories about the roads they have traveled from a Zionist world view to activism in solidarity with Palestinians and Israelis striving to build an inclusive society founded on justice, equality, and peaceful coexistence. Reclaiming Judaism from Zionism will be controversial. Its contributors welcome the long overdue public debate. They want to demolish stereotypes of dissenting Jews as “self-hating,” traitorous, and anti-Semitic. They want to introduce readers to the large and growing community of Jewish activists who have created organizations such as Jewish Voice for Peace, IfNotNow, and Open Hillel. They want to strengthen alliances with progressives of all faiths. Above all, they want to nurture models of Jewish identity that replace ethnic exclusiveness with solidarity, Zionism with a Judaism once again nourished by a transcendent ethical vision. An introduction and afterword by Carolyn L. Karcher set the narratives in historical context. Contributors include: Joel Beinin • Sami Shalom Chetrit • Ilise Benshushan Cohen • Marjorie Cohn • Rabbi and Cantor Michael Davis • Hasia R. Diner • Marjorie N. Feld • Chris Godshall • Ariel Gold • Noah Habeeb • Claris Harbon • Linda Hess • Rabbi Linda Holtzman • Yael Horowitz • Carolyn L. Karcher • Mira Klein • Sydney Levy • Ben Lorber • Shoshana Madmoni-Gerber • Carly Manes • Moriah Ella Mason • Seth Morrison • Eliza Rose Moss-Horwitz • Hilton Obenzinger • Henri Picciotto • Ned Rosch • Rabbi Brant Rosen • Alice Rothchild • Tali Ruskin • Cathy Lisa Schneider • Natalia Dubno Shevin • Ella Shohat • Emily Siegel • Rebecca Subar • Cecilie Surasky • Rebecca Vilkomerson • Rachel Winsberg • Rabbi Alissa Wise • Charlie Wood
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  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Olive Branch Press
  4. Publication date
    May 8, 2019
  5. Dimensions
    9 x 1 x 6 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1623719143
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1623719142
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

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"[The contributors] walk the path of human rights activism inspired by the values of justice, solidarity, and equality held sacred in the prophetic Jewish tradition. These very personal stories inspire compassion, moral reflection, and, yes, courageous action. Such stories nourish the soul and are worth reading whether or not you are Jewish.

Carolyn Karcher has constructed an anthology that addresses the departure from Zionist ideology of a diversity of Jews from both the U.S. and Israel. Each section gives voice to a particular segment of Jews critically considering the impact of Zionism on their lives and choices, and most importantly, the life-threatening consequences of this ideology for Palestinian residents of Israel, and for those who live in the occupied West Bank and Gaza ' . This book is valuable in that it describes and gives voice to the challenge to distance one's self from an ideology that is presented as a liberation movement. These voices must contend with being called anti-Semitic and self-hating Jews by strangers as well as by family members. Jewish nationalism, as in other forms of nationalism spreading across the globe, is by its very nature discriminatory, creating Us and Them polarities that favor the dominant culture over all others. Israel has been able to do this because of American tax-payer money to the tunes of billions of dollars over the decades. -- Eleanor Roffman, Mondoweiss

These powerful stories send a message about the resilience and passion of a courageous group of Jews who have come to the realization that the state of Israel's treatment of Palestinians does not live up to the ethical standards Jewish tradition demands. Taken together, their words challenge the idea that Judaism and Zionism are inseparable. Their commitment to live a Jewish life without Zionism bodes well for the future of Judaism. -- Rebecca T. Alpert, Professor of Religion, Temple University

Carolyn L. Karcher has superbly edited a fascinating collection of autobiographical essays describing how devout American Jews disentangled themselves from the distortions of Zionism. In the process they recovered their authentic religiously and ethnically framed identities. Required reading for Jews, and engaging reading for everyone. -- Richard Falk, Milbank Professor of International Law Emeritus, Princeton University

From the Back Cover

Personal narratives by forty Jewish activists and scholars.

Today Jews face a choice. We can be loyal to the ethical imperatives at the heart of Judaismš€š--love the stranger, pursue justice, and repair the world. Or we can give our unconditional support to the state of Israel. It is a choice between Judaism as a religion and the nationalist ideology of Zionism, which is usurping that religion.

In this powerful collection of personal narratives, forty Jews of diverse backgrounds tell a wide range of stories about the roads they have traveled from a Zionist world view to activism in solidarity with Palestinians and Israelis striving to build an inclusive society founded on justice, equality, and peaceful coexistence.

Reclaiming Judaism from Zionism will be controversial. Its contributors welcome the long overdue public debate. They want to demolish stereotypes of dissenting Jews as "self-hating," traitorous, and anti-Semitic. They want to introduce readers to the large and growing community of Jewish activists who have created organizations such as Jewish Voice for Peace, IfNotNow, and Open Hillel. They want to strengthen alliances with progressives of all faiths. Above all, they want to nurture models of Jewish identity that replace ethnic exclusiveness with solidarity, Zionism with a Judaism once again nourished by a transcendent ethical vision.

Contributors include: Joel Beinin; Sami Shalom Chetrit; Ilise Benshushan Cohen; Marjorie Cohn; Rabbi Michael Davis; Hasia R. Diner; Marjorie N. Feld; Chris Godshall; Ariel Gold; Noah Habeeb; Claris Harbon; Linda Hess; Rabbi Linda Holtzman; Yael Horowitz; Carolyn L. Karcher; Mira Klein; Sydney Levy; Ben Lorber; Shoshana Madmoni-Gerber; Carly Manes; Moriah Ella Mason; Seth Morrison; Eliza Rose Moss-Horwitz; Hilton Obenzinger; Henri Picciotto; Ned Rosch; Rabbi Brant Rosen; Alice Rothchild; Tali Ruskin; Cathy Lisa Schneider; Natalia Dubno Shevin; Ella Shohat; Emily Siegel; Rebecca Subar; Cecilie Surasky; Rebecca Vilko

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Olive Branch Press; First Edition (May 8, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1623719143
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1623719142
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9 x 1 x 6 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 29 ratings

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Carolyn L. Karcher

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
29 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Pamela Nice
5.0 out of 5 stars The power of cultural trauma to blind us
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2019
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How do you transcend cultural trauma, so that you don’t, as a culture, strike out in revenge or develop an invincibility that convinces you, “We will not be hurt anymore”? What is the role of the Jewish cultural narrative of victimization and vindication in the practice of Zionism today? In this essay collection, Karcher presents us with 39 Jewish individuals who have wrestled with these questions and come to the realization that the Zionist narrative with which they were raised has been turned on its head: the victims are now the victimizers of another people; the oppressed are now the oppressors. Cultural narratives are tenacious. The courageous individuals who contributed to this collection have engaged the battle and dared to present their uncomfortable truths in spite of the estrangement of family and friends, the label of being self-hating Jews.

In these testimonies, the realization that Zionism is a racist doctrine that valorizes a chosen group over all others comes to each person differently, often over a long period of time, and often after witnessing the reality in Israel and Palestine. Karcher’s introduction and afterword are masterful pieces of writing, collating much historical material and highlighting the themes of the contributors. Her own story powerfully connects the facts of Occupation to her felt experience as a traveler in Palestine. All of the contributors come to the realization that to live the meaning of the Jewish social justice tradition, one must become one with the oppressed, whether Jewish or not.

Some of the most moving essays recount how the narrative of Zionism—especially the supposed miracle of making the desert bloom amidst a host of enemies—was embraced because it offered a symbolic home for the alienated—a philosophy that uplifted those who had been victimized or ostracized in their personal lives.

One remark stands out, referring to the Torah’s admonition to “Welcome the stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Contributor Moriah Ella Mason urges us to respond with compassion to our own cultural trauma, rather than to oppress in turn. “In welcoming the stranger, I heal the stranger in my own heart.”
11 people found this helpful
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RHL
5.0 out of 5 stars Moving and Thought Provoking
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2019
Verified Purchase
The collection of stories is well written and edited. They are both moving and, more important, they are thought provoking.

If you are a Jew who considers other Jews who are critical of Israel’s policies to be anti-Semitic, you probably will not like the book. On the other hand, if you have questions about the implications of the Zionist model for Israel, the Palestine people and/or the Jews of the diaspora, I recommend it.

In reading the authors’ individual stories I found the following themes particularly noteworthy: their belief in the teaching of Torah, in particular the treatment of the “stranger”; the importance of the celebration of Jewish life in the diaspora; and their personal bravery in their willingness to question and confront the Zionist model.

This last theme is at times overwhelming when you realize the personal toll associated with family confrontation, organized personal attacks and the loss of family income. It is clear that questioning the Zionist model is not for the faint of hart. But, it is possible to be a Jew outside of Zionism, and if you accept the teaching of the Torah, and care about the long term success of the nation state of Israel you may be have to speak up - possibly with the same personal consequences of many of the authors.

The editors contributions at the beginning and end of the text do an excellent job of helping you understand many of the historical facts and implications surrounding the Zionist model and helps tie together some of the key threads in the contributors’ stories. While you can read the different contributors’ stories out of sequence, I recommend you read the editors contributions in sequence.

My only criticism of the book is that is was not available in Kindle format, as this format is actually easier for me to read. That being said, it is printed one paper that is comfortable to hold and has a readable font.

I recommend reading this book and drawing your own conclusions. It is that type of book.
7 people found this helpful
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Ghassan Tarazi
5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read!
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2019
Verified Purchase
As a Palestinian Christian I have been immersed in both Christian and Jewish Zionism my entire life and as a careful observer of the Holy Land. I have witnessed the systematic conflation of Judaism and the ideology of Zionism. This book was refreshingly honest and courageous as each contributor shared their transformational stories about how they separated the two.
There is no doubt that personal stories are highly engaging, informative and compelling, especially when discussing a challenging subject like Zionism. Carolyn Karsher has done a masterful job in collecting and editing these powerful stories. She thoughtfully categorized these narratives into such chapters as rabbinic voices, transformative experiences, voices from campuses, progressive values versus Zionism and reflections of leading organizers. This enables readers to learn the unique and personal ways the authors reclaimed their Judaism. This structure made the reading so much more enjoyable.
Even though the narratives make up the heart of the book, Dr. Karsher's Introduction and Afterword set the historical, ideological and theological context for the narratives. She describes the roots of Zionism and how it kidnapped Judaism for its own ideological purposes. These two pieces make up one of the best pithy descriptions of Zionism's short life.
This is a must read.
19 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Gerry Yokota
5.0 out of 5 stars Hope for Humanity
Reviewed in Japan on August 27, 2021
Verified Purchase
Forty gems, every one shining with love and compassion. Even—especially—for those who accuse them of self-hatred and anti-Semitism. Their work is clearly guided by their remembrance of loved ones lost in the Holocaust. But they have somehow found a way to transcend that horror and transform fear and hatred into a love of justice. Their witness gives me hope for humanity.
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