GET UPDATES ON GOL KALEV‘S UPCOMING BOOK: JUDAISM 3.0:

Book Synopsis

The book argues that Judaism is transforming. Its organizing principle is shifting from its religious element to its national element – Zionism. This is occurring without any compromises to the religious aspects of Judaism.

The book shows how Zionism is turning into the primary conduit through which Jews relate to their Judaism. This is both through positive and negative connections, whether by one’s actions or through prevailing realities.

It then demonstrates how Zionism has become the main prism by which the outside world perceives the Jews. Even the age-old opposition to Judaism is now being funneled through Zionism. The book also discusses contemporary threats to Judaism, such as Israel-bashing and Post-Zionism, and shows how recognizing the transformation would mitigate those threats.

Judaism has transformed in the past. Its original anchor was the Temple and physical presence in Judea (Judaism 1.0). When the Temple was destroyed and Jews exiled, Judaism adopted a new organizing principle – Rabbinical Judaism (Judaism 2.0). The prayers replaced the sacrifices, the synagogues replaced the Temple, and the yearning to return to Zion replaced the actual presence in Jerusalem. 

In 1,800 years of exile, the Jewish nation-religion has had both an internal glue of religiosity and an external one of complete insularity, but over the last century both have dissipated. 

At the same time that the Jewish religious connector has faded, the Jewish national connector has been dramatically augmented: The Jewish state was reestablished, and after 70 years, it is becoming evident that a new organizing principle of Judaism has emerged: Zionism. (Judaism 3.0)

The seeds for the transformation to Judaism 3.0 were planted in the late 19th Century by Theodor Herzl, the father of modern Zionism. The book ties Herzl’s vision to contemporary realities and shows that just as he envisioned, Zionism has become the vehicle for the return of Jews to Judaism

For comments and inquiries: comments@jewishtransformation.com

WATCH GOL KALEV AND ALIZA LAVIE DISCUSS HERZL’S LEGACY IN A HERZL DAY WEBINAR. SPECIAL GREETINGS BY PRESIDENT REUVEN RIVLIN

For a summary in a Jerusalem Report article: Jewish Transformation – Judaism 3.0

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