Session 1: "Okay, Let's Do This" + Zionism 101

The first session of the 8-week Deviant Yeshiva course: Ready for Some Honest Talk About Israel-Palestine? This one is Zionism 101. All sessions are in English.

Sunday [June 15] – 4 hours (we know, it’s long, but trust us) 12:00 – 16:00

Part 1: Getting Comfortable

• Why are we here? What do we hope to get out of this?
• Creating our group agreements together (how do we want to show up for each other?)
• Setting up a container that’s both safe enough to be vulnerable and brave enough to be challenged
• Personal check-ins (as much as you’re comfortable sharing)
• Naming what feels scary or exciting about this journey

Part 2: Zionism – The Origin Story

Before it became a political football, what was it actually about? We’re looking at:

• What life was like for Jews across different empires
• Herzl’s wild idea and how it caught on
• Religious vs secular versions (they disagreed about everything)
• The Balfour Declaration (yeah, that one)
• Early Zionist meetings and their big debates

What to Expect:

• Some reading beforehand (we’ll send it a week before)
• Mix of presentation, discussion, and emotional processing time
• Beginning each session with re-contracting (checking in on how we want to be together)
• Moments of deep sharing alongside intellectual engagement
• Probably some uncomfortable moments (that’s where the growth happens)
• Being witnessed in your questions, confusions, and revelations
• Coffee/tea breaks because 4 hours is a lot and we need to stay human

The Real Talk: This first session is heavy on context because you can’t understand anything that happened later without knowing where Zionism came from. And yes, we’re starting with feelings/grounding and creating agreements together because this stuff hits different when it’s not just abstract history. We meet in person because some conversations need physical presence – the ability to see each other’s faces, feel the energy in the room, and create the kind of trust that only happens when we’re actually sharing space.

Practical Stuff

When: Sundays, 3.5-4 hours each (first and last sessions are longer), once a month. We have the first dates available, the rest will follow. 

Where: In person in The Hague – details after you sign up

How Much: 18-54 euro sliding scale, don’t let money be a barrier to joining – you are welcome always 

Real talk: This course assumes you’re an adult who can handle complex topics and respectful disagreement. All viewpoints welcome, but come ready to think, not just argue.

Quick FAQ

“Is this going to be biased?” We’re presenting multiple narratives and primary sources. You’ll form your own conclusions.

“I don’t know much about this topic.” Perfect. Better to start fresh than with half-correct information.

“What if I get emotional?” Expected and welcomed. We build in time for processing.

“Will this be depressing?” Some of it, yeah. But understanding is better than ignorance, and there are also stories of hope and resistance. Plus, we’re doing this together – you won’t be processing the heavy stuff alone.

“Why in person? Can’t we just do this online?” Because something different happens when we’re actually in the same room. The pauses, the body language, the way we can feel each other’s humanity – it all matters for this kind of conversation. We’re not just exchanging information; we’re building understanding together.

Ready to dive in? Let’s do this.

Sign Up