In Search of Israel: The History of an Idea

by Michael Brenner

A major new history of the century-long debate over what a Jewish state should beMany Zionists who advocated the creation of a Jewish state envisioned a nation like any other. Yet for Israel's founders, the state that emerged against all odds in 1948 was anything but ordinary. Born from the ashes of genocide and a long history of suffering, Israel was conceived to be unique, a model society and the heart of a prosperous new Middle East. It is this paradox, says historian Michael Brenner--the Jewish people's wish for a homeland both normal and exceptional—that shapes Israel's ongoing struggle to define itself and secure a place among nations. In Search of Israel is a major new history of this struggle from the late nineteenth century to our time.When Theodor Herzl convened the First Zionist Congress in 1897, no single solution to the problem of "normalizing" the Jewish people emerged. Herzl proposed a secular-liberal "New Society" that would be home to Jews and non-Jews alike. East European Zionists advocated the renewal of the Hebrew language and the creation of a distinct Jewish culture. Socialists imagined a society of workers' collectives and farm settlements. The Orthodox dreamt of a society based on the laws of Jewish scripture. The stage was set for a clash of Zionist dreams and Israeli realities that continues today.Seventy years after its founding, Israel has achieved much, but for a state widely viewed as either a paragon or a pariah, Brenner argues, the goal of becoming a state like any other remains elusive. If the Jews were the archetypal "other" in history, ironically, Israel—which so much wanted to avoid the stamp of otherness—has become the Jew among the nations.

Genres: History, Israel, Nonfiction, Politics, Jewish, Middle East, Judaism

385 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 6, 2018

Reviews

[Jill H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1897, the founder of the Zionist movement, Theodor Herzl, repeatedly called for a Jewish state that would be a model for all mankind and a "light unto the nations". But what should the state look like? Would it be based on a common ethnicity or religion. Would it be a safe haven for Jews around the world? What would be the state's boundaries. What would be the role of non-Jews in a Jewish state? What would be the official language?

The author does a thorough job, based on the above questions, of researching Israel's growth since its inception in 1948 and how Zionist visionaries imagined such a state and how Israeli leaders implemented those ideas. It is not a history of Israeli wars or politics but instead provides the reader with a clear and unbiased look at the transformation of the state to what it is today.

The book is divided into six main issues, beginning with Shaping The Jewish Future and ending with Global Israel. Beautifully written, it demonstrates how, as the author notes on his ending page, "It is a state like any other state and a state like none other". An enthralling history indeed!

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, straightforward, non-ideological history of the idea of a Jewish state and how that idea has evolved over the past 125 years.

[Shai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brenner's straight-forward, jargon-free, accessible language is certainly a refresher to someone reading about the history of Zionism on an academic level. Brenner does a great job at showing what used to be a dynamic movement- that may have stagnated- or even was successful and therefore finished. Intricacies missed in high-level political science courses on the subject. No broad brushes, imbued in nuance, this book does the Zionist movement justice.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Theodor Herzl hoped to found a miniature version of Europe in the Middle East [...]. He would probably be shocked to learn that the existence of Israel did not lead to the end of anti-Semitism, but formed the basis for its resurgence, often disguised as anti-Zionism. [...] the State of Israel is both a better and a worse place than its founders imagined.... It is a place of hope and a place of despair. It is a state like any other and a state like no other."
A very good read, the book explains the origins and disputes inside the Zionist movement, from the late 19th century to the 21st century, and the dilemmas of Israeli society today, in a balanced and nuanced way; a story that begins with the quest to create a state that should be like all the others, but at the same time unique. The book is accessible, interesting, and objective. Considering how much the word has suffered an inflation of meanings among intellectuals, translations to other languages would be welcome.

[Sandy Brusin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carlos Bulosan wrote: "America is not a land of one race or one class of men ...America is in the heart..." He might well have said that about Israel. For sure, Israel is in my heart, and that is why this book meant so much to me.

My first trip to Israel was in 1971. Over the years, I've traveled there six times over 45 years, and on each visit I was struck by how dynamic Israel culture was, not just in terms of the diversity of the population (ashkenazic, sephardic Jews; religious, secular Jews; Arabs; Christians) but also in terms of the striking differences in the ethos of the population centers ("religious" "ancient" Jerusalem; cosmopolitan secular Tel Aviv; the Gush settlements; the kibbutzim and moshavim).

What Brenner does succinctly and clearly is trace the development of the state of Israel from its Zionist roots in the 19th century to the present day. He exposes the contradictions, the ambiguities, the complexities of modern-day Israel that began with the desire to be both a nation like any other nation AND a nation that is a light unto other nations. As Brenner says: "In its eighth decade, the State of Israel is both a better and a worse place than its founders had envisioned. It is a vibrant and dynamic society, but still it searches for peace and harmony. It is the only democracy in the Middle East, but it is not a democracy without flaws. It is a place of hope and a place of despair. It is unique and it is normal. It is a state like any other state and it is a state like none other."

[Mannie Liscum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Brenner takes the reader on a concise yet highly nuanced and engaging ride through the history of the State of Israel. We learn about the development of Zionist ideals before and around the turn of the 20th century; the realization of the Jewish State in the immediate aftermath of the Holocaust, the singular event to make Zionism a reality; the struggles of the young Jewish and democratic state; the evolving character of Zionism, Israel and the Jewish diaspora; and the future challenges facing the Jewish and Israeli (Jewish, Palestinian and Arab alike). So much history in 80-120 years told in 288 pages! Highly recommended. 5 stars.

[Adam Hummel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional book for anyone interested in Zionism and Israel, the past and future.

[E's Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear, unbiased, detailed account of the history of the idea of a Jewish state that everyone should read.

[Lori Bain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but a bit to scholarly for my taste. In places, it read more like a textbook than non-fiction.

[Siddharth Khurana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise and clear look at the modern history of the idea of Israel as well as the nation it became.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

very detailed - need a thesaurus to read and follow

[Alicia Harriman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise and easy to read