2008 Woodie Awards
Hillel discusses philosophy of Zionist Jabotinsky
Kate Giglio
Issue date: 10/26/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Those in the Nelly Goletti Theatre this past Tuesday evening were privy to a miraculous incarnation of the famed Zionist leader Ze'eb Jabotinsky.
Well, not exactly. But distinguished translator, journalist, and author Hillel Halkin did speak on the political philosophy of early 20th-century Zionist leader Jabotinsky's and its relevance to the current crisis in Israel at the 30th annual William and Sadie Effron Lecture in Jewish Studies at Marist.
"The subject of my remarks this evening may require some explanation," Halkin began. He went on to introduce his audience to the writings and thoughts of Jabotinsky, who was an author, orator, soldier and founder of the Jewish Legion during World War I. His writings were, said Halkin, "lucidly analytical, brutally honest, and never bombastic."
Halkin spent the majority of his hour at the podium presenting a well-crafted narrative he wrote from the point of view of Jabotinsky, if the man were to arise from the dead and speak to a contemporary panel of diplomats. Halkin's words dealt with the territory issues in Israel and the West Bank while conveying the prescience of Jabotinsky's philosophy. But it was not without humor; "Jabotinsky" noted the significance of this talk as he had "made no other public appearances in the year since my death."
Halkin also made a joke out of his unfamiliarity with the laser pointer provided to him for pointing out places on a map of Israel.
Assistant professor of English Josh Kotzin is also the chair of the Jewish Studies program at Marist, and it was he who planned the lecture. He has organized it for the past few years, and says it is one of the highlights of his responsibilities as chairperson.
"The inventions that have taken place since my death," he said as the laser failed to cooperate, "are beyond my understanding."
Well, not exactly. But distinguished translator, journalist, and author Hillel Halkin did speak on the political philosophy of early 20th-century Zionist leader Jabotinsky's and its relevance to the current crisis in Israel at the 30th annual William and Sadie Effron Lecture in Jewish Studies at Marist.
"The subject of my remarks this evening may require some explanation," Halkin began. He went on to introduce his audience to the writings and thoughts of Jabotinsky, who was an author, orator, soldier and founder of the Jewish Legion during World War I. His writings were, said Halkin, "lucidly analytical, brutally honest, and never bombastic."
Halkin spent the majority of his hour at the podium presenting a well-crafted narrative he wrote from the point of view of Jabotinsky, if the man were to arise from the dead and speak to a contemporary panel of diplomats. Halkin's words dealt with the territory issues in Israel and the West Bank while conveying the prescience of Jabotinsky's philosophy. But it was not without humor; "Jabotinsky" noted the significance of this talk as he had "made no other public appearances in the year since my death."
Halkin also made a joke out of his unfamiliarity with the laser pointer provided to him for pointing out places on a map of Israel.
Assistant professor of English Josh Kotzin is also the chair of the Jewish Studies program at Marist, and it was he who planned the lecture. He has organized it for the past few years, and says it is one of the highlights of his responsibilities as chairperson.
"The inventions that have taken place since my death," he said as the laser failed to cooperate, "are beyond my understanding."
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