Religious Zionism post disengagement : future directions.

Abstract

The offerings in this volume reflect the mood today, with passions and tensions generated by security concerns and social and spiritual challenges to the Jewish State, following the disengagement from Gaza. One senses a significant increase in polarization between the population within Israel and in the Diaspora than a decade ago. The lack of consensus on political and ideological directions and a serious yearning for effective and inspiring spiritual and communal leadership are reflected in various articles in this work. Many may decry the growing rift in the overall Diaspora/Israel relationship in the United States, however, the Modern Orthodox/ Religious Zionist community has coalesced. The disengagement from Gaza has led to a more invigorated Religious Zionist community in North America that identifies with the concerns faced by its counterparts in the State of Israel. While the Jewish people in both the North American and Israeli communities are frustrated by the absence of visionary leadership, they are seeking new ways to strengthen and contribute to Israeli society. The challenge for the Religious Zionist community, worldwide, is to channel its internal energies and idealism to address concerns not only for Israel’s survival needs, but to develop a clarifying vision for its future. The articles that follow highlight the precarious times in which we live and also capture the confidence in Israel’s promising future. [from the Series Editor's Preface]