By Jo-Ann Mort
The kibbutz, one of the grand social and economic experiments of the past century, was once a symbol of a liberal, humanistic Israel. Today, the kibbutzim, in their 100th year, have been profoundly transformed, and the face of Israel is a different kind of settlement — the West Bank settlement that seeks to build “facts on the ground” from a biblical perspective. The pendulum of Zionism, which was once weighted heavily toward a socialist-Zionist perspective, has shifted to a right-wing Zionism.
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By Nathan Jeffay
A legendary dancer and choreographer, a Druze advocate for Israel and a veteran socialist-Zionist pioneer will be honored on Independence Day as winners of the coveted Israel Prize for lifetime achievement.
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By Gil Shefler
In 1958, Israel was a fledgling state barely able to provide for its own. It was beset on all sides by enemies threatening imminent attack and trying to cope with the absorption of hundreds of thousands of refugees. Nonetheless, that year it launched an ambitious initiative aimed at sharing its nation-building know-how with newly nascent countries in Africa and Asia that were gaining independence from colonial powers.
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By Lenore Skenazy
When it’s America’s Independence Day, we know exactly how to celebrate: We overeat! Hot dogs, hamburgers, brownies slathered in flag-colored frosting. Or cake with red, white and blue sprinkles, and toasted marshmallows, of course. And diet Coke. We’re proud of our heritage.
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By Nathan Jeffay
On Yom Ha’atzmaut, several million Israelis will celebrate the 61st anniversary of their country’s Declaration of Independence. But only one of them was there for the actual event.
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