Discussion
- What is Judaism, what is Zionism and what is the relationship between them? Do you agree with the distinction laid out in Karcher’s Introduction? Why or why not? Has this changed for you since October 2023?
- Do the ethical imperatives of Judaism conflict with Israeli policy toward Palestinians? If so, how? How can such conflicts, if they exist, be resolved?
- Do you agree that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza? Why or why not?
- Do you agree that Israel is committing and accelerating ethnic cleansing in the West Bank? Why or why not?
- What perspectives do the narratives of Rabbis Brant Rosen, Michael Davis, Linda Holtzman, Alissa Wise, Cat Zavis, and Esther Azar provide on the historical relationship between Judaism and Zionism? How do the six rabbis point the way toward (re)building a Judaism that is no longer tied to Israel? What values and features would such a Judaism emphasize?
- What are some of the experiences that led the contributors to question and ultimately to renounce Zionism? What similarities or differences do you find between the original perspectives compared to the post October 2023 perspectives?
- Which of the original or new contributors’ stories particularly resonated for you? In what ways?
- In what ways do the perspectives and experiences of white Ashkenazi Jews differ from those of Sephardi/Mizrahi/Jews of color?
- Did the book’s Preface, Introduction, and Afterword help place contributors’ narratives in a broader historical context? What new information did you learn from the Preface, Introduction, and Afterword? Did any of it surprise you or challenge your previous beliefs?
- Are you a member of a Jewish congregation or Havurah? If so, does your congregation support members’ openly sharing their thoughts on Zionism and Israel? Has censorship of dissent on Zionism and Israel been a factor in your decision whether or not to join a Jewish congregation? Has this changed for you since October 2023?
- Alternatively, if you are a member of a church or a mosque, to what extent does your congregation allow free discussion of Zionism and Israel? Have concerns about charges of anti-Semitism inhibited such discussion in your congregation? Has this changed since October 2023?
- How can we use this revised volume in our work for Palestinian freedom?
