The History of Zionism

Is Zionism a continuation of Jewish life, just in a sovereign country, or is it a radical departure from Jewish history that sets it apart from all other dimensions of Jewish life in time and space?

This 4-part course will examine how Zionism evolved and what it became in more recent times. We will look at original sources to enrich our conversation such as art, poetry, diaries and fiction. These will all shed light on the different and competing forces that helped shape Zionism from a small minority interest into a dominant force within the global Jewish community.

The course continues on Mondays 3rd February, 3rd March, 7th April.

Each session is “stand-alone”.

Please email admin@choosemosaic.org to let us know you’re coming.

Michael Wegier has been Chief Executive of the Board of Deputies since 2021. He has worked as a Jewish Educator, Strategic Planner and Chief Executive for Jewish organisations in the UK, Israel, and the United States. He has a degree in Jewish History from UCL and an MA in Contemporary Jewry from the Hebrew University. He is also a graduate of the prestigious Mandel Jerusalem Fellows for developing Educational Leadership.

Significant professional positions include Chief Executive of the Melitz Educational Centres in Israel and two terms at UJIA, one as Director of Programme and later as Chief Executive a position he held until 2019. Michael has also worked as a Strategic Consultant for several organisations including The Jewish Agency for Israel and World ORT.

Michael is an avid reader of Jewish, Israeli, and general literature as well as a keen cyclist and less keen runner. He is married to Daniela, originally from Chile and they have three grown-up children living between the UK and Israel.