ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA OP-ED ZOA’s Steve Feldman’s JNS Op-Ed on Honoring Theodore Herzl Time to Honor One of our Own By Steve Feldman, Greater Philadelphia ZOA Executive Director (JANUARY 14, 2022 / JNS) The Jewish people have been blessed with countless heroes and heroines throughout our history whom G-d has worked through, used, endowed with intellect and strong personality, or motivated to be leaders and/or to do outstanding deeds for our people. Abraham, Moses and Esther are just a few of the many whose character traits and deeds are recorded in Tanach. Certainly, there have been plenty of others since the biblical age. Personalities who immediately come to mind include Maimonides, Moses Montefiore, Theodor Herzl, Golda Meir and Menachem Begin. There are myriad others. Yet with such an array of heroes and heroines throughout the ages, none are the subject of a holiday outside of Israel widely celebrated by the Jewish people. It is mind-boggling. We must remedy this. I am reminded of this oversight every year at this time. Early in January each year, Jewish congregations, schools and organizations begin promoting their annual “day of service” coinciding with the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the national holiday later in the month commemorating his life and activities. King was indeed a hero for his ground-breaking and successful civil-rights activism, and by all accounts, a friend of the Jews and a supporter of Israel. Through his speeches, writings, marches and other forms of activism, he changed America and the world for the better. There is no denying that King deserves these annual living tributes that people coalesce around to improve their neighborhoods, communities and institutions, including by Jewish congregations, schools and organizations. Yet few, if any, of those congregations, schools or organizations similarly have a day to honor the life and works of any Jewish heroes or heroines. There certainly is nothing on a national scale in American Jewry. READ MORE Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email Join Us in Florida (In-Person Event!) Thursday, February 24, 2022 ZOA Florida "Heroes for Israel Gala" Featuring Amb. David Friedman, Gov. Ron DeSantis, Mayor Gabriel Groisman, Rabbi Ariel Yeshurun, and ZOA National President Morton A. Klein REGISTER NOW Founded in 1897, ZOA played a key role in the Jewish State's re-establishment. Today, ZOA is the leading major American Jewish organization courageously defending Israel and the Jewish people; fighting against all forms of antisemitism, including anti-Jewish boycotts; and promoting the Jewish people's lawful right to live in and settle historic Jewish lands. ZOA exposes that a Palestinian state would endanger Israel's existence; presents the facts about the Arab/Islamic war against Israel; and combats the anti-Israel lie that Israel is an "occupier" of her own land. ZOA spearheaded long battles to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, and apply civil rights protections to Jewish students. ZOA provides free legal assistance and programs to pro-Israel students at numerous college campuses. ZOA's bold, unapologetic voice has a significant impact on public discourse and policy. DONATE NOW Copyright © Zionist Organization of America 2022, All rights reserved. Zionist Organization of America | 633 Third Ave, 31 B, New York, NY 10017 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | About Constant Contact Sent by [email protected]