Yehuda Alkalai

politician

Rabbi Yehuda Alkalai was a prominent 19th-century Jewish thinker and one of the early proponents of Zionism, advocating for the return of Jews to their ancestral homeland in a practical and organized manner. Born in Sarajevo and later serving as a rabbi in Zemun, Serbia, Alkalai's writings, which include over 20 tracts and articles, outlined a vision for national revival based on human action, diplomacy, and land acquisition. He emphasized the importance of establishing a structured national framework for Jewish resettlement in Israel, foreshadowing ideas that would later influence leaders like Theodor Herzl. Alkalai passed away in 1878, largely unrecognized for his contributions until recent efforts have sought to honor his legacy.