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Melton - Understanding Zionism


Rabbi Jonathan Infeld and Dr. Seth Goldsweig will teach this course offered through the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning.TM

Rabbi Jonathan Infeld has been the senior Rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel for almost 20 years. He is a graduate of JTS Rabbinical School and Brandeis University.

Dr. Seth Goldsweig is the Head of School at King David High School. He is an alumnus of Hebrew University where he studied for a Master's in Jewish education. He has a PhD in Educational Leadership and over 20 years of experience in Jewish day school education in Boston, Toronto and Vancouver.

The story of Zionism is remarkable and without parallel. It is a story of a people exiled from their homeland, a people that despite having suffered from prejudice and oppression for 2,000 years, maintained a strong identity, never losing faith with the dream of an eventual return home.


This course examines how these ancient dreams took on new religious, cultural, national, and political dimensions that actualized into the Zionist Enterprise--culminating in the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.


The story continues with questions around the meaning of Zionism today, its relationship with the Jewish people in the Diaspora, and some of the contemporary challenges it faces – most notably, the intense criticism of Zionism and the State of Israel, particularly in the aftermath of October 7, 2023 – inviting a deeper reflection on the values, resilience, and relevance of Zionism in the modern era.


With the current pervasive misrepresentation of Zionism seen today, this course presents a nuanced multi-faceted perspective based on primary sources, firsthand accounts, and official documents.


Join us to deepen your understanding of how and why the State of Israel came into being, and its significance for you personally and for the Jewish people as a whole.


Lesson 1: Seeds of Zionism

Date: October 27, 2025

Location: King David High School

Instructor: Dr. Seth Goldsweig


Lesson 2: Building a Jewish Homeland

Date: November 24, 2025

Location: Congregation Beth Israel

Instructor: Rabbi Jonathan Infeld


Lesson 3: The Birth of the State of Israel

Date: January 26, 2026

Location: King David High School

Instructor: Dr. Seth Goldsweig


Lesson 4: Defining Zionism Today

Date: February 23, 2026

Location: Congregation Beth Israel

Instructor: Rabbi Jonathan Infeld


Lesson 5: Zionism and the Diaspora

Date: April 27, 2026

Location: King David High School

Instructor: Dr. Seth Goldsweig


Lesson 6: Looking Ahead, The Challenges and Promises of Zionism

Date: May 25, 2026

Location: Congregation Beth Israel

Instructor: Rabbi Jonathan Infeld


   # of Attendees ($180 per person)
   Hard Copies
Mon, August 11 2025 17 Av 5785