Unrequited Love

Max Nordau was more important than Theodor Herzl. A Hungarian-born doctor and writer, he wrote best-sellers criticizing modern culture, describing Europe as a swamp of rot and corruption. When Herzl managed to enlist Nordau's support for the Zionist idea - he acquired a literary star. There are streets in Israel named after him, as well as a neighborhood and a moshav, but those Israelis who have heard of Nordau probably identify him only thanks to his call at the Second Zionist Congress (1898?)to revive "muscular Judaism." He called for the transfer of hundreds of thousands of European Jews to Palestine; under his inspiration, Ze'ev Jabotinsky proposed a similar plan. Supporters of Jabotinsky adopted Nordau as one of their heroes: Moshav Nordia was established by members of Betar (a right-wing Zionist youth movement), the editor of Nordau's writings is Prof. Benzion Netanyahu (father of Benjamin Netanyahu).