One of the most common claims made against the State of Israel is that it is a European colonial enterprise. In this presentation, participants will learn how the Jewish people meet all of the internationally-accepted criteria for being indigenous to the land of Israel. They will then beable to use this information in order to effectively respond to this false claim of colonization.

In 1840, there were NO Jewish newspapers or members of Parliament in either the UK or the USA!

There has also never been a Jewish cabinet minister in the UK or the USA.

The blood libel was a minor tragedy in terms of loss-of-life yet it catalyzed world Jewry to start thinking like a nation.

The swift mobilization of world Jewry on behalf of the Jews of Damascus saved them from massacre.

The infrastructure left behind by the mobilization (Jewish Press, lobbying groups, etc) gave rise to the Political Action Committees and other structures we have today.

This atmosphere also gave rise to the first Zionists (40 years before Hertzl).

Isabel Vincent will present highlights from her research into Ida and Louise Cook, English sisters who became opera fans in the 1920s and 1930s, and befriended some of the biggest stars of the day. Among them was Clemens Krauss, Hitler's favorite conductor, who asked them to help him save Jewish musicians. Using slides and excerpts from her book, "Overture of Hope," Vincent tells the story of these ordinary extraordinary heroines.

Isabel Vincent’s participation at Limmud Winnipeg Fest was made possible thanks to a partnership between Limmud North America and The Jewish Book Council