Episode
Was Theodore Herzl the George Washington of Zionism?
- Podcast
- edJEWcation
- Published
- Feb 18, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3555
- Processing state
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- https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/edjewcation/episodes/Was-Theodore-Herzl-the-George-Washington-of-Zionism-e3f2982
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Summary
Was Theodor Herzl a secular visionary or a spiritual seeker? A hero or a heretic? On the 130th anniversary of his landmark manifesto Der Judenstaat , Professor Gil Troy, presidential historian, Zionist scholar, and editor of The Zionist Ideas , sits down with Jay and ChayaLeah for a conversation that covers all of it: Herzl's complicated relationship with Judaism, why he was persona non grata in Haredi education, the emotional power of standing at his grave on Mount Herzl, and why Professor Troy’s concept of "identity Zionism" speaks directly to Jewish students navigating hostile campuses today. Along the way, the hosts bring their signature mix of head and heart, Jay digs into the intellectual history while ChayaLeah shares what it was like to discover Herzl as an adult after growing up Chabad, where his picture wasn't exactly hanging on the wall. It's a timely, moving, and surprisingly fun deep dive into the father of modern Zionism. To learn more about Professor Troy’s work, you can find it at his website GilTroy.com A selection of works: To Resist the Academic Intifada: Letters to my Students on Defending the Zionist Dream The Zionist Ideas: Visions for the Jewish Homeland: Then, Now, Tomorrow The Essential Guide to October 7th and its Aftermath: Facts, Figures, History