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The handsome Theodore Herzl, an editor and journalist from Vienna, had a regal presence reminiscent of the ancient Assyrian kings. In contrast, Israel Zangwill, hailing from Kilburn, was often described by his peers as the most unattractive man they had ever seen and known for his shabby attire. Despite this, his novels were extremely popular. However, he was known for his clumsiness and would often make a loud entrance, causing someone to joke that it must be Israel’s arrival as something had fallen down the stairs.

When Herzl initially approached Zangwill in 1895, his request was to “assist me in reconstructing a Jewish state.” Despite the lack of a shared language, as noted by Herzl, their connection was immediate and enduring. Together, they founded the Zionist movement. Following Herzl’s death in 1904, Zangwill took on the role of leader for ITO, the branch of the movement that aimed to find a temporary Jewish homeland while Palestine was not yet available.

Rachel Cockerell’s book is a cleverly crafted piece that presents a unique perspective on the story. Rather than taking an overarching view, Cockerell weaves together personal accounts and observations to create a patchwork narrative. As she was writing, Cockerell grew frustrated with her own words and decided to remove them, resulting in a final product entirely composed of direct quotes from various sources such as diaries, speeches, letters, and eyewitness testimonies. The voices of world leaders, journalists, and everyday individuals are all included, providing a multitude of perspectives and making the book dynamic and original. This book serves as a great example of how history can be written in a refreshing and engaging manner.

The initial and most extensive section discusses the initial Zionist meetings and initial efforts in establishing a Jewish homeland. According to Herzl, Joseph Chamberlain suggested Uganda as a potential location, similar to how a thrift store manager might find something in a disorganized stockroom. Herzl commented, “I thought to myself: that would be the perfect country for Dr Herzl.”

Various locations, such as Cyrenaica in Libya, Western Australia, Mexico, and Mesopotamia, were not viable options due to inadequate infrastructure and overcrowding. In his exploration of these unsuccessful possibilities, Zangwill also delves into his family history, including the first appearance of his great-grandfather David Jochelmann. This book serves as a family memoir, among other things. Prior to 1914, Jochelmann resided in Russia and worked for ITO, a company that offered Jewish individuals the opportunity to migrate to Texas. Zangwill had established a brief agreement with the US that allowed them to enter through Galveston and then settle further inland.

Jochelmann and his second wife relocated to England. Their two daughters, Fanny (the author’s grandmother) wed an English non-Jewish man and encouraged their descendants to blend into society, while Sonia married a Russian supporter of Zionism. They and their children resided in a carefree manner (neither Fanny nor Sonia had an interest in household duties) in north London, only a few blocks from where Herzl and Zangwill had met many years prior to the birth of Rachel Cockerell. In 1948, Sonia and her family moved to Israel, completing the story’s cycle.

Cockerell depends on Jochelmann to keep her book intact, but it is not entirely successful. A colleague at ITO describes him as a secretive and intentionally low-profile figure. To his great-granddaughter, he is simply a shadowy face in a serious portrait. If his words had been recorded and his career documented, her story may have been more cohesive. However, although this book lacks a flawless structure, the individual pieces come together to create a unique and timely retelling of a story with global importance.

Source: theguardian.com