4th Issue

A few words from Leon Fine, editor of Kaleidoscope magazine, on Issue 4.

Early Zionist thought framed Jewish claims to the Land of Israel as a moral argument of existential need, balanced against Palestinian claims. Since 1967, discourse has shifted toward a faith-based belief in divine, exclusive ownership. This transformation has fueled hyper-nationalist politics and intensified the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Jewish physicians and scientists, representing just 0.2% of the world’s population, have made discoveries that transformed medicine and saved countless lives - from vaccines, antibiotics, and blood typing to DNA, immunology, and cancer research. Their work underpins modern healthcare, accounting for about 26% of Nobel Prizes in medicine, despite ongoing antisemitism that ignores these vital contributions.

Amid the ongoing trauma of October 7 and the war in Gaza, the call is not only for guilt and repentance but also for shame. Shame, unlike guilt, demands reflection on what kind of people we become through our actions. Embracing it may be the spark for transformation - helping both Israelis and Palestinians confront painful truths, reject destructive leadership, and open a path toward peace and renewal.

Steven E. Aschheim reviews Time’s Echo: The Second World War, The Holocaust, and the Music of Remembrance by Jeremy Eichler.

A sculptor’s journey from South Africa to Israel traces a life of creativity, Zionist ideals, and devotion to art. From early works in wood and stone to international exhibitions and a monumental piece at Yad Vashem, his sculptures draw on history, nature, and cosmic themes, blending personal experience with universal questions about humanity, memory, and the mysteries of existence.

Constitutional democracy faces growing threats worldwide as populist leaders, oligarchs, and disinformation undermine its foundations. Rising inequality, weakened media, and billionaire influence - exemplified by Trump and Musk - erode trust in institutions and embolden authoritarianism. From the US to Israel and South Africa, the survival of democracy may hinge on resilient civil societies defending the rule of law.