As part of a collaboration between the World Zionist Organization and the Streicker Center, the exhibition “All About Herzl” opened at the Herbert & Eileen Bernard Museum and was on display from September 17, 2024, through January 23, 2025. The exhibition presented personal documents and artifacts of Theodor Herzl from various collections, including the Herzl Archive in Israel, the YIVO Institute, and the David Matlow Collection. It traced Herzl’s journey from his youth to the founding of the Zionist movement.
During the exhibition period, two major events were held in cooperation with the WZO. On January 15, the world premiere of the opera “The Jewish State” took place, telling the story of Herzl’s marriage alongside the political storm surrounding his ideas. The performance featured the St. Luke’s Orchestra and a conversation with composer Alex Weiser and librettist Ben Kaplan. On January 21, a panel titled “Zionism in America” was held, featuring leading scholars Dr. Anita Shapira, Dr. Jonathan Sarna, and Dr. Mark Raider, moderated by Russell F. Robinson, CEO of JNF-USA, addressing early opposition to Herzl’s ideas, shifting perspectives, and current challenges facing Zionism.
Among those involved in the exhibition and events was Susan Burns, curator of the Theodor Herzl Archives at the Central Zionist Archives (CZA) in Jerusalem. Together, the exhibition and accompanying programs deepened public understanding of Herzl’s life and his role in founding the Zionist movement, while connecting the historical legacy of Zionism to present-day discourse and challenges.
