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ZionismBy David E. KaplanMeet Herzl OnMount HerzlThe issues of the past are as freshtoday as they may be tomorrowHerzl Center, JerusalemFinally at Rest. “I gave my heart’s blood for my people”, saidHerzl the day before he died of heart failure.A visit to most museums is usually a journey into the past.Not so with the Herzl Center, an experiential museum forZionist education on Mt. Herzl in Jerusalem. “The fundamentalmessage of this museum concerns no less the future than thepast,” explains Dr. David Breakstone, Vice Chairman of theWorld Zionist Organization (WZO) who headed the steeringcommittee that originally established the museum as well asits driving force in steering this evolving education center innew directions today.Opened in 2005, the museum attracts over 100,000visitors a year, many of them school children andarmy conscripts, who attend seminars and workshops.“It is not only the facts of the past that are importantbut the values underlying Herzl’s vision that need tobe grappled with, particularly by those in leadershippositions and future generations,” explains Breakstone.“We present Herzl not only as a towering historicalpersonality that contributed so much to the Zionistenterprise over a century ago,” explains Breakstone,“but also as a visionary whose ideas on Zionism are noless compelling, engaging and challenging today. Whilevisitors will leave the museum proud of what has beenachieved, one realizes there is still much work that stillneeds to be accomplished.”Zionism is an unfinished journey; a long way still to goSpring-Summer 201234Caricature of Herzl. Learning how to sketch the great Zionistpersonalities.for Israel to emerge as “a light unto the nations.”For Herzl, Zionism was never only about “the yearningfor a parcel of promised land legally acquired for ourweary people,” he wrote, “but also the yearning forethical and spiritual fulfillment.” These are the veryissues that are firmly addressed on a tour of the museum.During the tour, the visitor accompanies Theodor Herzlalong the major milestones of his life, accompanied by aconstant dialogue with the world then, and as it is today.Audio-visual screens present pictures from Herzl’s life,interwoven with documents and original photos.“Herzl loved the theatre and of course writing,” explainsShlomit Sattler, Coordinator of Overseas Groups,Culture and Special Events. “The museum honors thesepursuits,” continues Sattler, “by using theater to tell hispersonal story, present his vision, reflect on his values,