An Analysis of the Contemporary Jewish Situation

To what degree it is correct or incorrect that the impact of the Holocaust, the experience of the Jews in the USSR and the creation of the State of Israel were pivotal events in defining experiences of the Contemporary Jewish situation?

In this course, a critique and analysis of the contemporary Jewish situation was made, claiming that three pivotal events were defining experiences of the period: the impact of the Holocaust; the experience of Jews in the USSR; and the creation of the State of Israel.

With reference to all three, discuss this critique or analysis. To what degree is it correct / incorrect? Would you add some other factor or event? Make use of academic sources offered by and beyond the course and where appropriate you may use materials available on the internet (please footnote appropriately).

Alternative Essay to Write:

Using the criterion for “studying diaspora Jewish communities” as discussed in this course, choose a Jewish community that you are not familiar with and is not included in this course and write a ten-page paper that will enable an outsider to understand the nature of that community. Please define and clarify accurately what is your perception and use of the term: “Jewish Community”.