A deep exploration of Zionism’s origins, evolution, and meaning today, from ancient dreams to modern challenges.
ONLINE
Wednesday, 12:00-1:30pm (ET), December 3, 2025 - January 21, 2026
— Hatikvah – The Israeli National Anthem
Course Description :
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.
Wednesday, 12:00-1:30pm (ET)
Dr. Ben Zion “Benzy” Kogen is a leadership and education consultant with decades of experience in Jewish education and nonprofit leadership. A faculty member at the Melton School for Adult Jewish Studies (Hebrew University), he teaches widely on Jewish history, texts, ethics, and culture.
He has held senior roles at Camp Ramah, serves as Cantor at the Jewish Home for the Aging, and founded “Your Shabbat Guest” to enrich Shabbat experiences. An acclaimed educator, he has taught learners of all ages across North America.
Benzy has held numerous community leadership positions, including with the USCJ Board of Directors, and holds degrees from Columbia University, the Jewish Theological Seminary, and Teachers College. In 2023, he received an Honorary Doctorate from JTS. He lives in Reseda, CA, with his wife, three children, and seven grandchildren.
