Zionism and the Creation of a New Society
Ben Halpern and Jehuda Reinharz
“A dynamic picture of the Jewish society in Palestine and the Zionist movement in its most creative period — on the verge of statehood. Change and stability, revolution and tradition, ideologies and institution: all are depicted here in their immense diversity as competing factors in Jewish life.… I can hardly think of another book in the English language that so successfully presents the full spectrum of Zionist society in pre-state times. Combining a critical approach with a sympathetic view of Israel and Zionism, it avoids the pitfalls of eulogizing or excessive criticism, finding the right balance between the two. Any scholar or student of Israeli history would be wise to make use of this book.” — Anita Shapira, Tel Aviv University
About the Authors
Jehuda Reinharz is President Emeritus and Richard Koret Professor of Modern Jewish History, and Director of the Tauber Institute.
Ben Halpern was a professor of Near Eastern studies at Brandeis University, retiring in 1981 and a member of the Jewish Agency Executive from 1968 to 1972. His numerous publications, many of which were published in Jewish Frontier and Midstream magazines, deal chiefly with problems of Zionism, Israeli society, and the role of the Jews in U.S. society. Halpern's publications include The Idea of the Jewish State (1969) and a Clash of Heroes: Brandeis, Weizmann, and American Zionism (1987).