

Derek J. Penslar, "Zionism: An Emotional State" (Rutgers UP, 2023)
May 21, 2025
Derek J. Penslar, a leading expert in Jewish history and director at Harvard's Center for Jewish Studies, dives into the emotional underpinnings of Zionism in his latest work. He discusses how emotions drive national movements, revealing the complex feelings that have shaped Zionist identity over the years. Penslar explores the emotional ties American Jews have with Israel and the duality of love and vulnerability within these connections. He also examines Zionism's evolution, from its agricultural roots to its modern identity as a 'Startup Nation,' highlighting themes of gratitude, betrayal, and resilience in Israel's history.
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Zionism as Emotional Bundles
- Zionism's energy comes from complex bundles of political emotions varying in intensity and durability.
- Understanding Zionism politically requires seeing emotion as intertwined with collective identity and nationalism.
Rethinking Zionist Categories
- Traditional divides like Labor vs. Revisionist Zionism overlook their shared transformative goal of remaking Jewish identity.
- New categories like Judaic Zionism highlight modern ethno-nationalist and anti-democratic strains within Zionism.
American Zionism's Familial Emotions
- American Zionism embodies familial emotions like seeing Israel as a vulnerable child or a protective sibling.
- This emotional framework fosters awe and close identification despite geographical and cultural distance.