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Jun 20, 2026, 11:00 PM

Treasure Trove: Achooza, the Great Estate of New York (Yes, Jews Bought Land!)

From the Herzl and Zionism Collection of David Matlow, Toronto (www.herzlcollection.com). Photograph by David Matlow.

In a synagogue presentation I did about Herzl a number of years ago, I mentioned the various organizations that purchased land in the Land of Israel in anticipation of the future Jewish state. Someone in the audience with a...

Apr 25, 2026, 11:53 AM

Treasure Trove: Leon Blum-Socialist, Zionist, Survivor, Prime Minister of France

From the Herzl and Zionism Collection of David Matlow, Toronto (www.herzlcollection.com). Photograph by David Matlow.

In 1943, Leon Blum was a prisoner in the Buchenwald concentration camp when the Leon Blum Colony (Kfar Blum in Hebrew) was dedicated. This poster stamp raised funds, ten cents per stamp, for the establishment of this town which...

Sharona Margolin Halickman

Feb 23, 2026, 5:11 AM

How does acacia wood do chesed?

At the end of Parshat Tetzave, we learn about the Incense Altar (Mizbeach Miktar Ketoret) also known as the Golden Altar (Mizbeach HaZahav) and the Inner Altar (Mizbeach HaPnimi). We read about the Incense Altar in Shmot 30:1: You shall make...

Russell F. Robinson

Feb 13, 2026, 5:49 AM

Why We Stood Taller When Israel Entered the Olympic Stadium

I have watched Olympic opening ceremonies for as long as I can remember. There is something timeless about them—the steady cadence of nations entering the stadium, one after another, each carrying its history, its burdens, its dreams. Albania. Bhutan. Great...

Feb 1, 2026, 5:05 AM

Herzl's tree is dead, long live Herzl's tree

From the Herzl and Zionism Collection of David Matlow, Toronto (www.herzlcollection.com). Photograph by Kevin Viner, Elevator Digital, Toronto. Used with permission.

During his one visit to Palestine in 1898, the Zionist dreamer planted a cypress. It was destroyed. So why is he depicted standing next to a fully grown tree?

Jan 27, 2026, 10:14 AM

Repairing Israel And The World: One Body At A Time

Long ago, a king owned a beautiful diamond. One day, his deeply cherished gem crashed to the ground and suffered a deep crack. He searched desperately throughout his kingdom for someone who could restore the gem. A beggar stepped...

Jan 16, 2026, 11:32 PM

Treasure Trove: A Century of Israeli Beer – Mi’Brador l’Dor

Advertisement for Max Brau Best Light Pilsner Beer Made in Palestine (1926). From the Herzl and Zionism Collection of David Matlow (www.herzlcollection.com). Photograph by David Matlow.

100 years ago, the Rosenberg Brothers were brewing “Max Brau” Palestinian beer in Acre. This advertisement appeared in a 1926 edition of Palestine & Near East Economic Magazine- “A Fortnightly for Trade, Industry & Agriculture.” The advertisement promotes the fact...

Dec 19, 2025, 5:52 PM

Herzl. Hope. Home.

I am honored to have an exhibit of artifacts from my personal collection of Theodor Herzl memorabilia at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto. This is my second attempt at doing so. An exhibit was planned for the spring of...

Dec 2, 2025, 2:20 PM

The Strategic Foundations of Jewish Resilience

Jewish resilience is built on people, structure, and a clear strategic method. But in today’s world, one dimension has become just as essential: consciousness. The way Jewish communities understand the threats around them - and the way the world understands the...

Dec 1, 2025, 7:47 PM

Closing Down a Wine Bar in the Negev: ‘We only have 30 Minutes’

In the few visits my father made to Israel over a two-year period, he mentioned Masada 499 times. But I only heard it the 500th, when my wife, Abby, nudged me to sit down and plan a trip for...

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