Season 2, Episode 38

The decision

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David Ben Gurion is on the verge of making a historic decision, as we recap the history of Zionism.


The Season 2 finale is a recap of the history of Zionism and some of its major players. What was expressed in the liturgy a thousand years ago stayed with the Jewish People until becoming the basis for a movement in the 1800s: the actual return of the Jewish People to the Promised Land. 

From Theodore Herzl to Chaim Weizmann, David Ben Gurion and Hannah Senesh, Zionist leaders dedicated themselves to building the political, ideological, and economic foundations of the future Jewish homeland, and in some cases sacrificed their lives in defense of their fellow Jews. 

By May 14, 1948, David Ben Gurion was faced with one of the most momentous decisions in Jewish history: to declare a Jewish State or not? It was a moment fraught with risk, as the Arabs had sworn to destroy any declared Jewish homeland. For two thousand years the Jews had lived in exile from their ancestral homeland. Was now the moment of redemption?

 

MUSIC

  • Idan Amedi, “Chelek MeHazman - Spotify

  • Leonardo Goncalves, “L’shana Haba’ah” - Spotify

  • “Eili Eili,” from the film Late Summer Blues

  • Ilanit, “Eretz Eretz Eretz” - YouTube