The idea of a new Jew is super critical to understanding what Zionism was all about. In the end of the 19th century, they said everything's wrong with the Jew. The Jews are excluded from the professions. There's not really much you can do except switch professions. When you're a guest who doesn't have a home, you're more considered a parasite. And that was what the Jews were feeling and everybody from people like Theodore Herzl or many other names which we may talk about over the course of our conversation.
As Israel turns 75, has it fulfilled the promise of its founders? Daniel Gordis of Shalem College talks about his book, Impossible Takes Longer, with EconTalk's Russ Roberts looking at the successes and failures of Israel. Topics discussed include the history of Zionism, the plight of the Palestinians, the Jewishness of the Jewish state, and the current debate in Israel over judicial reform.