The Second Zionist Congress. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Muscular judaism
Max nordau, second zionist congress, 1898
“Zionism will awaken Judaism to new life””
At the Second Zionist Congress in Basle, Switzerland, Max Nordau laid out a vision that became known as “muscular Judaism.” Nordau was a close confidant of Herzl and a leading member of the Political Zionism branch of the movement. The Muscular Jew, in Nordau’s view was strong, physically fit, capable of labor, and proud. He and she stood in contrast to the Diaspora Jew, who had become pale, weak, and overly intellectual in exile. In the ancient past Jews were warriors; what was needed now was a regimen of exercise and athletic clubs to turn young Jews strong again.